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Yilwatda to lead Nigerian delegates to 7th Africa Public Sector Conference

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda will lead a high-level delegates to the 7th Africa Public Sector Conference (APSCA 2026).

Tagged: ‘Governance 2030: Delivering Resilient Institutions for a Digital, Green and Secure Africa.’, the conference will place from 14-16 October 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana.

A statement by the organisers said: ‘Prof. Yilwatda is expected to deliver the keynote address and spearhead the session titled: ‘The Party as Platform: How Governing Parties Can Architect Digital, Green and Secure Governance for 2030,’ with a broader focus on ‘Beyond Elections: The Strategic Mandate of Political Parties in Building Resilient Institutions.’

‘In a formal response to the invitation, the APC National Chairman expressed strong interest in the continental dialogue: ‘I look forward to joining African and international leaders at APSCA 2026 and to sharing Nigeria’s experiences, perspectives, and aspirations as we collectively examine the governance architecture required to build a more resilient, digitally enabled, environmentally sustainable, secure, and prosperous Africa by 2030.

‘The APC considers APSCA 2026 an important opportunity to contribute to a continental dialogue on a question central to sustainable development: how political parties can evolve beyond their traditional role as electoral vehicles to become enduring institutions capable of providing strategic policy direction, sustaining reform agendas, strengthening democratic governance, and helping to build institutions that deliver measurable and lasting improvements in the lives of citizens.’

‘The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction further affirmed that APSCA 2026 offers a fitting stage to project Nigeria’s development trajectory under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to a continental and global audience.

‘We see this as an opportunity to present Nigeria not only as a market of immense potential, but also as a country actively developing ideas, institutions, and solutions capable of contributing to Africa’s broader development journey,’ he said.

‘Reacting to the APC’s official acceptance, Akin Naphtal, Convener and Host of APSCA, Group Chief Executive Officer of InstinctWave Group, welcomed this development as a defining moment for the conference’s 2026 edition.

‘Having the All Progressives Congress and Prof. Nentawe Yiltwada on the APSCA 2026 platform is exactly the calibre of engagement this conference was built for,’ Naphtal said. ‘This is not just about Nigeria showing up in Accra, it is about a governing party stepping forward to say that institutions, not just elections, are the real currency of development. That conversation deserves a continental stage, and we are proud to build it.’

Naphtal further noted that this reflects the very theme of the year’s conference. ‘Governance 2030 is about resilient institutions for a digital, green and secure Africa. When a party as significant as the APC chooses to engage that conversation directly, and back it with a Pavilion, a documentary and real institutional participation, it validates why we created APSCA in the first place: to give African governance its own stage, on its own terms,’ he said. ‘We look forward to welcoming Prof. Yiltwada and the Nigerian delegation to Accra.’

‘With the previous six editions done across Rwanda, Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya, APSCA 2026 will be graced by top public sector leaders from more than 10 African nations, at which there will be twelve (12) forums covering governance and institutional leadership, women in the public sector, energy, public procurement, public finance, trade, digital government, education, public-private partnerships, ESG and sustainability, customer experience, and youth empowerment, to examine how continent institutions can deliver coordinated, future-ready public value.’

NIFST, stakeholders seek evidence-based regulation of low-calorie sweeteners

Food scientists, regulators, health professionals, manufacturers and consumer representatives have called for stronger, evidence-based regulation and public communication on the use and safety of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) in Nigeria.

The stakeholders made the call at a two-day NIFST Academy and International Sweeteners Association (ISA) workshop on ‘Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners in Nigeria: The Science and Safety,’ held in Lagos from August 31 to September 1.

The meeting focused on the scientific evidence on LNCS, their regulation, consumer safety, and the challenges of using these ingredients in food and beverage reformulation in Nigeria.

LNCS are food ingredients that provide sweetness with little or no calories. They are commonly used in beverages, tabletop sweeteners, supplements, and some medicinal products, particularly to reduce sugar and calorie content.

The stakeholders said Nigeria needed to strengthen the link between scientific evidence, public health policy, regulation and consumer education as concerns over diet-related non-communicable diseases continue to grow.

President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Dr Bola Osinowo, said the NIFST Academy was established to build professional competence and promote the use of science and data to address food and nutrition challenges.

Osinowo said discussions on sweeteners had become increasingly important against the backdrop of the country’s growing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Presenting the scientific basis for assessing the safety of LNCS, ISA Director-General Laurent Oger said safety assessments should be based on the totality of available evidence rather than isolated studies.

According to him, independent expert bodies consider factors including the quality and relevance of studies, consistency of findings and biological plausibility when determining the safety of food additives.

He said risk assessments could include evidence from metabolism, toxicology, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive studies, human studies, exposure assessments and epidemiological research.

Oger also explained the role of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), describing it as a protective benchmark for lifetime daily exposure to a substance.

He said the ADI is derived from the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL), with an additional safety factor applied to account for differences between experimental animals and humans as well as variations among individuals.

The workshop heard that assessments by international regulatory and scientific bodies, including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have supported the safety of approved LNCS when used within established conditions.

Stakeholders also cited evidence from randomised controlled trials showing that approved sweeteners, when used to replace sugars and other carbohydrates that raise blood glucose, do not adversely affect blood glucose, HbA1c or insulin secretion.

They emphasised the need to keep consumption within established ADI limits.

In Nigeria, stakeholders identified existing regulations as well as gaps in technical capacity, consumer awareness and risk communication.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said Nigeria already had the Food Additives Regulations 2021 and the Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in Food Products Regulations 2021 to guide the use of such ingredients.

The agency also noted that the Federal Government’s sugar-sweetened beverage tax had encouraged manufacturers to consider reformulating products to reduce sugar content.

However, participants said local manufacturers needed more technical support to address challenges in replacing sugar while maintaining taste, bulk, mouthfeel, viscosity and product stability, particularly under Nigeria’s hot, humid storage and distribution conditions.

The workshop also identified what participants described as a gap between awareness and functional knowledge of sweeteners among Nigerians.

Studies cited at the meeting indicated that while many consumers may be aware of sweeteners as alternatives to sugar, some consumers and professionals still have limited understanding of the ingredients’ metabolic effects and safety.

Stakeholders said the information gap, combined with the rapid spread of unverified claims online, could contribute to public confusion and misinformation about LNCS.

In its communique, the meeting recommended that the NIFST Academy and ISA develop evidence-based risk communication tools targeted at nutritionists, dietitians and medical practitioners.

Stakeholders said these tools should help address misconceptions about sweeteners and improve health professionals’ ability to communicate scientific evidence to the public.

They also called for greater alignment between Nigeria’s Food Additives Regulations 2021, the Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Regulations, and Codex Alimentarius standards.

According to the communique, such harmonisation should help simplify the registration and approval process for products reformulated with sweetener systems assessed by JECFA, while maintaining appropriate safety requirements.

Participants included representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), food and beverage manufacturers, academic institutions, consumer groups, nutrition organisations and the media.

Group unveils back-to-school initiative for pupils in Ekiti

A pro-democratic group, Young Professionals for Tinubu 2027, has unveiled a back-to-school initiative targeting 1,500 pupils in 15 public schools across Ekiti State.

The programme, which is aimed at providing educational materials to pupils, will also empower local artisans with 50 sewing machines and materials to produce school uniforms, bags and other items required for the project.

The Ekiti State Coordinator of YP4T, Abimbola Daramola, who unveiled the initiative in Ikere-Ekiti, said the beneficiaries would receive 1,500 school uniforms, 1,500 pairs of sandals, 1,500 school bags and about 5,000 writing materials.

Daramola said that the initiative was conceived not merely as a charity intervention but as an economic empowerment programme designed to create sustainable opportunities for families.

She explained that selected artisans involved in tailoring, shoemaking and bag-making would be provided with the materials and equipment needed to produce the school items.

According to her, the artisans would have about 10 days to produce the required materials, after which the sewing machines would remain with them to enable them to continue and expand their businesses.

She said, ‘Today, we are unveiling a back-to-school programme. We intend to give back-to-school kits to about 1,500 children in Ekiti State.

‘We are engaging parents who are into tailoring, shoemaking and bag-making and we are providing them with the materials and machines they need to produce the back-to-school kits.

‘The good part of this project is that, because of what Renewed Hope stands for, putting real opportunities in the hands of our people, they are going to be going home with the machines, materials and business support. We want this to continue beyond this project’, Daramola said.

She added that the empowerment component was deliberately incorporated to ensure that the beneficiaries continued to derive economic benefits from the intervention after completing the production of the school materials.

She added that supporting local artisans would also stimulate economic activities in the state while addressing the educational needs of pupils from public schools.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, commended Daramola for initiating what she described as a grassroots-oriented programme.

Afuye, represented by her Personal Assistant, Boye Adeboye, said that the initiative was commendable because it simultaneously addressed the educational needs of children and economic challenges confronting artisans.

She said that the programme would provide school materials for pupils while equipping tailors with sewing machines and other materials to produce some of the items.

She also attributed some of the developments being recorded in Ekiti and other states to the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, saying the reforms had enabled state governments to meet their obligations to citizens.

‘President Tinubu, because of the economic reforms, has made it possible for virtually all the state governors in the country to fulfil their obligations to the citizens.

‘Even across Ekiti State, there are roads that are being tarred, the tertiary institutions are being given their subventions and the infrastructure itself speaks volumes across the state’, the deputy Governor added.

Nwifuru to kinsmen: stop selling ancestral lands, graves

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has warned the people of Izhi Nnodo clan against the indiscriminate sale of ancestral lands, family compounds and burial grounds.

He said such practices could make them strangers in their own homeland.

Nwifuru issued the warning at the weekend in Amagu, the ancestral home of Izhi Nnodo, during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival.

He also cautioned against the erosion of indigenous values in the name of religion, modernity or political expediency.

The governor said ancestral land was not merely a commodity but represented the history, identity and collective memory of the people, urging families to preserve inherited properties for generations yet unborn.

‘I have seen situations where people sell not only family lands but even the burial grounds and ancestral compounds of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers.

‘Such actions are regrettable because they disregard the sacrifices and struggles through which our ancestors secured these lands,’ Nwifuru said in his Izhi dialect.

He appealed to elders, traditional rulers, youths and religious leaders to protect the cultural heritage of the clan, stressing that the people must distinguish between legitimate cultural traditions and practices that violate religious or moral principles.

Nwifuru said religion and culture should not be unnecessarily conflated, noting that legitimate traditions promoting unity, respect for elders, communal responsibility and peaceful coexistence should not be discarded merely because of religious convictions.

‘Many have confused religion for tradition and have failed to locate the difference between the two. There is sharp demarcation between the two and they do not conflict and clash in their operations,’ he said.

The governor identified respect for elders, dignity of labour, hard work, peace, unity and communalism as some of the core values that historically defined the Izhi people.

He also warned against allowing political disagreements to tear the clan apart ahead of the 2027 elections, saying political contests should not destroy ancestral bonds or communal relationships.

Nwifuru said those seeking elective positions under opposition platforms were free to exercise their democratic rights but urged them to pursue their ambitions peacefully and in the interest of the people.

He equally cautioned against what he described as the use of social media to provoke political crises, insisting that legitimate grievances should be addressed through appropriate channels.

‘People should not leverage social media to castigate our leaders and deny our sincere performances all in the name of politics,’ he said.

Defending his administration’s record, Nwifuru said Ebonyi had witnessed significant infrastructure development under his administration, particularly in the road sector.

‘We have completed more than 500 kilometres of roads across the 13 LGAs. We have done roads connecting other states with span bridges,’ he said.

He urged the people to support the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the party would secure victory across the state.

The governor said the administration’s political objective was to consolidate its development agenda and deliver electoral victories for APC candidates from the presidency to the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

Chairman of the Ojiji Izhi cultural event, Edward Nkwegu, said the festival remained a platform for transmitting the values of good morals, sincerity, industry, justice, equity and fairness handed down by the ancestors.

Nkwegu lamented the increasing erosion of traditional values among youths, attributing part of the development to modernity and Western influences.

Hamzat, Lagos APC intensify mobilisation

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State and deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has intensified consultations and mobilisation ahead of next year’s general election.

At the weekend, he visited the leaders of Muslim Community in Lagos, led by Chief Imam Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, who prayed for his success at the polls.

He was accompanied by his campaign manager, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, party elder, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Works Special Adviser, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, Senator Ganiyu Solomon and other chieftains.

Hamzat also visited the leaders of Christian Community, led by Methodist Bishop Stephen Adegbite.

Last week, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led the governorship candidate and his running mate, Damilola James, and party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, to the palace of Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, in furtherance of the consultation.

Traditional rulers from Ijede, Imota, Ipakodo, Ibeshe and Igbogbo endorsed Hamzat’s bid, vowing to mobilise their communities to support his ambition.

Hamzat also canvassed the support of the communities for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he described as the best bet for Nigeria in 2027.

Hamzat promised to build a more interconnected Lagos, decentralise government services, and develop the distinctive economic advantages of the five divisions of the state, namely Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe (IBILE).

Speaking later on IKD106.1 FM titled: ‘KOH Unscripted in Ikorodu,’ he said the growth of the state should be driven by a deliberate effort to harness the comparative advantages of each division, adding that his vision was to create a Lagos where residents would not have to travel to Alausa for services that could be provided within their divisions.

Hamzat said strategic government presence in Ikorodu, Epe and other divisions would bring governance closer to the people and make public services more accessible.

He said residents should have easier access to government services, efficient transportation and other essential infrastructure closer to their communities.

Hamzat stressed: ‘We must decentralise Lagos. Alausa should not be the only place where people can access government services. We should have mini-secretariats in Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, so that perhaps 80 per cent of the services people need can be resolved within their divisions, while matters requiring further attention can be escalated to Alausa.

‘Also, each division of the state needs to develop around its unique economic strengths, and government must deliberately ‘plug into’ the opportunities available in different parts of Lagos.’

Hamzat identified Ikorodu’s potential in agriculture, food processing and transportation, promising to develop infrastructure around emerging institutions and economic activities in other divisions.

He emphasised the importance of organisation within the state, noting that reorganisation of local government administration must cover both physical and financial structures, with effective systems put in place to improve accountability, eliminate leakages and identify issues such as ghost workers.

The deputy governor further stressed the importance of planning Lagos as a borderless metropolitan city, noting that residents of neighbouring states also depend on the state’s infrastructure and public services.

He cited the example of Orile Agege General Hospital, where a significant proportion of patients come from outside Lagos, saying such realities must be taken into account in planning health care, transportation, water and other public infrastructure.

Hamzat assured stakeholders that the development of the state must remain inclusive, with the specific needs and opportunities of each division reflected in government planning.

While outlining plans for major transport interchanges within the state with connectivity between buses, rail and ferries, the deputy governor said such facilities would make it easier for residents in the hinterlands to move across the state and access economic opportunities.

He added that Lagos, being a city blessed with water, must maximise its waterways alongside road and rail infrastructure to create a truly integrated transport system.

Hamzat disclosed that 77 electric buses, including 30- and 40-seater models, were being introduced into the state’s transport system, stating that the use of electric vehicles would help reduce operating costs associated with diesel and petrol and could ultimately contribute to more affordable transportation for commuters.

He proposed a transport network that would connect strategic routes and terminals across the state, including Ikorodu, Badore, Victoria Island, Marina and other areas, while the expansion of rail and water transportation would provide residents with more options for daily commuting.

On health care, Hamzat said the growing population of the state required a corresponding expansion of health care infrastructure, highlighting that Ikorodu General Hospital and other major hospitals in the state would be expanded to cope with increasing demand.

The deputy governor explained that such expansion would go beyond buildings to include providing adequate accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health workers, underscoring that health care facilities must be positioned to provide quality and accessible services to residents.

On water supply, he acknowledged the challenges confronting residents and explained that Lagos’ dependence on water sources located in neighbouring Ogun State required cooperation and compensation arrangements.

Hamzat said the completion of Adiyan water project and associated pipeline infrastructure would increase the state’s water supply capacity and extend access to millions more residents.

The deputy governor also called for greater citizens’ participation in the development of Lagos, saying government alone could not build every institution or solve every problem.

He said: ‘Individuals and organisations in developed countries contribute to education and other areas of development. So we as citizens of this great nation must see ourselves as partners in building a better society.’

CMFC’s President and Co-CEO, Dr Israel Ovirih named in Nigeria’s top 25 CEOs

President and Co-CEO, Critical Minerals Financing Corporation (CMFC) Plc, Dr Israel Ovirih, was at the weekend honoured as one of Nigeria’s 25 topmost chief executives, an award that highlighted Dr Israel Ovirih’s transformational leadership and impact in Nigerian economy.

Dr Israel Ovirih was awarded as one of ‘BusinessDay Top 25 CEOs’, in a selection process coordinated by Nigeria’s leading business and economy daily, BusinessDay in collaboration with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). The data were primarily collated by the NGX based on corporate performances and records of listed companies.

Dr Israel Ovirih, a versatile investment banker and development economist, was honoured for successfully birthing CMFC as Africa’s premier investment bank for minerals and metals, with the award celebrating strategic ambition, institutional transformation and disciplined execution that made the milestone possible.

Dr Israel Ovirih’s Banklink Africa Private Equity had purchased majority equity stake in Deap Capital Management and Trust Plc and rebuilt the company through rigourous process of corporate reassessment, redirection, repositioning, recapitalisation and growth and stability.

The BusinessDay Top 25 CEOs Awards celebrates Nigeria’s most outstanding business leaders and it is widely recognised as one of the country’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence in corporate leadership and performance. The awards honour chief executives whose leadership delivered exceptional shareholders’ value, strengthened institutions, transformed industries and contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigerian economy.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Mr. Jude Chiemeka, said Dr Israel Ovirih and others top chief executives were selected based on scientific parameters for measuring corporate governance excellence and performance.

‘Your achievement represents what’s possible when enterprise and leadership come together,’ Chiemeka said.

He pointed out that quoted companies like CMFC contribute more meaningfully to the economy as publicly quoted companies have been found to be more compliant in most key parameters, including tax compliant, governance and disclosures.

He noted the strategic importance of CMFC in helping to opening up the capital market to vast minerals sector of the economy and unlocking much-needed resources for the greater development of the country.

Chief Executive Officer, BusinessDay Media, Mr. Frank Aigbogun said Dr Israel Ovirih was honoured for demonstrating exemplary attributes during a defining period for corporate Nigeria marked by macroeconomic adjustments, a period when success required more than resilience but also strategic agility, disciplined execution, innovation and capability to deliver sustainable value.

‘Your leadership reflects the core attributes celebrated by the Awards: strategic vision, resilience, innovation, disciplined execution, and the ability to build a sustainable institution in a dynamic operating environment,’ Aigbogun said.

He pointed out that the Award was a recognition of both CMFC’s organizational achievement and Dr Israel Ovirih’s leadership excellence, noting that Dr Ovirih set a record with the birth of CMFC as a specialised financing group for a high-growth segment of Africa’s economy.

He explained that the 2026 awards recognised performance during the 2025 financial year, ‘describing the past year as a year of transition for Nigeria’s economy and a period when producing results was difficult.

He said the awardees were selected on the basis of evidential research based on assessable data, pointing out that the selection process was designed to recognise substance over visibility and performance over popularity.

‘We look beyond the personality of the chief executive to the quality of the enterprise the leader is building. The Top 25 CEOs represent established businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and performance,’ Aigbogun said.

He underlined the importance of the leadership factor in corporate growth and general economic development, noting that top decision makers are the engines that drive much-acknowledged private sector’s roles in building productive capacity, shared prosperity and long-term sustainable development.

He said: ‘Our economy is not built only by policy. It is built every day by companies making decisions about capital, people, technology, markets and risks’.

In a brief remarks, Dr Ovirih reassured that CMFC is committed to its vision of providing much-needed structured financing and expertise to unlock values in Nigeria and Africa’s critical minerals and metals.

He dedicated the award to shareholders, directors, staff and all other stakeholders whose efforts have continued to drive CMFC’s success story.

Other awardees included Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Adaora Umeoji; Managing Director, Jaiz Bank Plc, Dr Haruna Musa; Group Managing Director, HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa, Mr Lolu Alade-Akinyemi; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha; Chief Executive Officer, UPDC Plc, Mr Odunayo Ojo; Group Managing Director, VFD Group Plc, Mr Nonso Okpala; Founder and Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc, Mr Wole Oshin; Managing Director, May and Baker Nigeria Plc, Pharm Patrick Ajah; Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Engr Effiong Okon; President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Mrs Owen Omogiafo and Managing Director, Transcorp Power Plc, Engr Peter Ikenga.

FG launches NYSC e-training portal

The Federal Government has launched an e-training portal for staff of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as part of efforts to improve efficiency, professionalism and access to knowledge within the scheme.

Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, stated this on Monday while inaugurating the NYSC Staff E-Training Portal during the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop held in Abuja.

Olawande commended the leadership of the NYSC for introducing innovations aimed at improving efficiency and productivity, expressing satisfaction with the technology-driven transformation of the scheme in recent times.

He said the portal would promote continuous learning among NYSC staff and help build a more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce.

‘This platform would also help to build more efficient, knowledgeable and responsive workforce. We are committed towards making the Scheme get better, let us work together and embrace technology,’ he said.

The minister said the changing nature of the global economy had made it necessary for young people to acquire practical skills beyond academic qualifications, noting that educational certificates alone could not solve the challenge of unemployment.

He said Corps Members must be exposed to practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and problem-solving, while also developing discipline, integrity and personal responsibility.

‘Our Corps Members must learn practical skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, problem-solving.

‘They must also understand the importance of discipline, integrity, and personal responsibility. Every Corps Member must be encouraged to make meaningful impact,’ Olawande said.

He reiterated that the mandatory service year should provide graduates with opportunities to serve, lead and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The minister also identified the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as the most important content of the NYSC at present, stressing the need to equip Corps Members with skills that could enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capacity.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said changing societal realities had made it imperative for the scheme to continually review the contents of its Orientation Course to ensure greater relevance.

Nafiu said the theme of the workshop, ‘Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,’ was designed to shape the character, mindset, skills and civic awareness of Corps Members.

According to him, the success of the Orientation Course depended largely on effective collaboration among stakeholders.

‘I encourage everyone to keep building the partnership and trust needed for the security and welfare of Corps Members wherever they are posted across the country,’ he said.

The NYSC DG assured that the management remained committed to working with security agencies to assess risks, take pre-emptive measures and ensure the safety of Corps Members throughout their service year.

Earlier, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Nura Umar, commended the minister for his passion for youth development.

Umar described the Orientation Camp as the first major point of contact for Corps Members as they commence their service year, stressing the need to use the period to shape their character, values and understanding of national responsibility.

He said there was a need to rebuild and modernise the contents, methodology and delivery of the Orientation Exercise to ensure that it remained focused and aligned with contemporary realities.

He urged participants to use the workshop to develop strategies for deepening stakeholder relationships, particularly in the areas of Corps Members’ welfare and safety, camp administration, discipline and leadership development, as well as strengthening the SAED programme.

Experts urge employers to conduct immediate gap assessment on payroll taxes, employer liability

LEGAL and tax experts are calling on employers across Nigeria to urgently review gaps in their payroll tax processes and employer liability exposure, warning that outdated systems and incomplete compliance with the country’s new personal income tax regime could trigger significant financial penalties and legal risks.

Nigeria’s overhaul of personal income tax rules, which took effect, on January 1, 2026, under the Nigeria Tax Act and Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTA/NTAA), has replaced the long-standing Personal Income Tax Act framework. The reforms introduce a progressive six-band Pay As You Earn (PAYE) structure ranging from 0 per cent to 25 percent, abolish the Consolidated Relief Allowance, and replace it with a Rent Relief equal to 20 per cent of annual rent paid, capped at S‚¦500,000. The relief applies only where employees provide proof of payment through a receipt, lease agreement or employer-approved declaration.

Several other changes have altered employer obligations. The 2.5 percent National Housing Fund deduction is now voluntary for private-sector employees; automatic deductions without informed consent fall outside the law. Gratuity, previously often treated as tax-exempt on exit, is now taxable income. The tax-free threshold for severance benefits has risen sharply from S‚¦10 million to S‚¦50 million. All forms of remuneration, including bonuses and 13th-month pay, fall within the PAYE base. Nigerian tax residents are taxed on worldwide income.

In a joint position paper, legal practitioners at Genie, Olufunmilola Oyinkansola Binuyo and Habibat Abubakar, noted that employees now carry an independent duty to file annual personal income tax returns even where their employer has already submitted returns on their behalf, and even if the employeeSpound Ss return shows nil or negative liability. Under the NTAA, unpaid or disputed PAYE assessments that are not objected to within the statutory window become final and binding. Penalties are administrative and compound monthly.

Compliance gaps are already appearing. Many payroll systems continue to apply the old tax bands and Consolidated Relief Allowance formula, producing systematically incorrect deductions. Some private-sector employers still deduct the National Housing Fund automatically. Gratuity continues to be paid without PAYE in some exit packages. Informal arrangements Spound ‘ contractors treated as employees, allowances paid outside payroll, or bonuses processed separately Spound ‘ create further audit exposure. Employers with remote or internationally mobile staff face additional complexity because Nigerian residents are now taxed on foreign-source income.

Experts advise employers to conduct an immediate gap assessment. Priority actions include updating payroll software for the new bands and rent-relief formula, documenting rent-relief claims properly, reviewing contractor classifications, recalculating benefits-in-kind under the new valuation rules, deducting PAYE from gratuity payments, and establishing processes for foreign-currency and cross-border remuneration. HR and payroll teams require training, and employers should maintain robust records and conduct regular compliance reviews.

‘The reforms shift both calculation mechanics and liability allocation,’ the practitioners stated. ‘Employers that treat the transition as a purely technical software update risk material financial and administrative consequences as the new regime beds in.’

With enforcement expected to intensify and tax codes under active review, specialists say a proactive audit now remains the fastest route for companies to identify underpayments, close exposure and avoid compounding penalties.

Otu mourns as Cross River commissioner dies in Abuja

Gov. Bassey Otu said the death of the Cross River Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Mr Eka Williams has cast ‘a dark shadow of grief’ over the state.

Williams reportedly died on Saturday, Sept. 12, at a hospital in Abuja, throwing the state’s political and administrative circles into mourning.

In reaction, Otu ???????? in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Linus Obogo, on Sunday in Calabar described his passing as an ‘irreparable loss’ to the government and people of the state.

The governor said the suddenness of his death made the loss particularly painful.

‘His passing, so sudden and poignant, is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the solemnity of public service,’ Otu said.

He noted that William’s death was particularly devastating because he had participated in the Ikom New Yam Festival barely a week earlier, when he (governor) visited his country home in Ikom to celebrate the cultural festival.

Otu said Williams’ final public engagement in an atmosphere of cultural fellowship made his sudden departure ‘particularly depressing and heartbreaking.’

He said he brought ‘uncommon loyalty, courage and fidelity’ to every assignment entrusted to him.

He described Williams as a patriot whose memory would remain indelibly etched in the history of Cross River’s public service.

‘Williams demonstrated dedication and forthrightness both as a political leader and as a member of the State Executive Council,’ he said.

He recalled his leadership role in the Forum of Commissioners for Power and Energy in Nigeria, saying his contributions to the power sector extended beyond Cross River.

‘Williams is a purposeful public servant whose stewardship of the power and renewable energy portfolio reflected his determination to contribute to the development of the state and the country.

‘He will be remembered for his dedication, forthrightness, and abiding commitment to Cross River.

‘As a valued member of my administration and a brother in service, his footprints in governance, politics, and public service will endure,’ he said.

Otu extended his condolences to Williams’ family, the Akparabong community, the people of Ikom, his political associates, and professional colleagues.

He prayed that God would grant the family and all those mourning the fortitude to bear the loss and receive the soul of the deceased in eternal peace.

‘May Almighty God grant us fortitude, receive his soul in eternal peace, and comfort all who mourn this irreparable loss,’ Otu said.

Until his appointment as commissioner, Williams served as Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River and was regarded as a committed political associate and public servant.

Nine killed in Plateau attacks

At least nine people, including three teenage herders and six bus passengers, have been killed in two separate gun attacks in Plateau State within 24 hours.

Reports of the killings coincided with the visit of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, to troops 3 Division Nigerian Army and Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) to consolidate security gains.

The most recent attack occurred at about 8:30pm on Sunday, when gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Kuru T-junction, near Science School in Jos South Local Government Area, killing six passengers, five men and a woman, and injuring two others, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, posted on X.

It was gathered that troops of Sector 6, OPEP, responded to a distress call and found that the attackers, travelling in a vehicle, had opened fire on commuters heading from the Farin Lamba axis before fleeing the scene. The injured were evacuated to hospital for treatment, and troops had yet to make contact with the assailants as an exploitation of the surrounding area continued yesterday.

The bus attack came less than 24 hours after three teenage herders were killed and dozens of cattle shot dead on Saturday, in Alohom community, Sabon Gari District of Mangu Local Government Area, in violence attributed by residents to suspected militia. The herders were identified by the Fulbe community as Garzali Shaibu, 18; Bashiru Yakubu, 14; and Salim Abubakar, 15. Thirty-six cattle were killed and 12 others wounded, while two other members of the herding group were initially reported missing.

Troops of Sector 8, OPEP, recovered the bodies of the three herders after receiving information about the attack.

There has been no official confirmation from the military or the police that the Dungus Kuru bus attack was carried out in retaliation for the Mangu killings, although security sources acknowledged that the deaths of the herders and the destruction of their cattle had heightened fears of reprisal attacks elsewhere in Plateau.

In a third, separate incident, a resident of Anguwan Mai Jirgi in Dirdep, Mangu Local Government Area, identified as Salisu Ibrahim, also known as Kawu, was attacked at about 10pm and severely beaten, sustaining a leg injury. The attack has renewed calls from residents for stronger security presence and faster response in vulnerable communities across Mangu.

Reacting to the weekend violence, the Plateau State Government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said it received with grave concern reports of the fresh attacks in Mangu on Saturday and the incident at Dungus Kuru, Jos South, on Sunday, which resulted in loss of lives and injuries. The statement said the incidents were deeply disturbing, particularly as the state government, working with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders, had continued to strengthen peace and security architecture through sustained dialogue, intelligence sharing and community engagement.

The government appealed to citizens, especially residents of affected communities, to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to help prevent attacks and apprehend perpetrators, urging them to resist reprisal attacks that could further escalate violence and undermine ongoing peace-building efforts.

The statement said the administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang was committed to protecting lives and property as part of its vision of rebuilding trust and creating an environment where citizens could live, farm, travel, invest and pursue their livelihoods without fear. The government commiserated with families of those who lost their lives, wished the injured a speedy recovery, and assured affected communities it would continue working to secure the state.

Addressing troops during his visit, the COAS, according to a statement by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, directed personnel of 3 Division and OPEP to sustain pressure on criminal groups and support efforts to deepen peace and stability in Plateau State and neighbouring areas.

He inspected the ongoing construction of the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Control Station, a facility the Army said would improve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity and give commanders more timely intelligence for decision-making once completed.

The General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander OPEP, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, briefed the COAS on current operations and consultations with stakeholders aimed at preventing violence and protecting residents, the statement said.

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, urging them to remain alert and disciplined while strengthening cooperation with other security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders. He said military action must go alongside dialogue and reconciliation to prevent criminal actors from reversing security gains already recorded, and directed troops to respond firmly to threats while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. He also called on residents to continue giving troops and other security agencies prompt and reliable information, describing lasting peace in Plateau as a shared responsibility.

Despite the sustained military presence in the state, including the COAS’s visit itself, the attacks on the bus and in Dirdep occurred within the same 24-hour window as the operational tour, underscoring the scale of the security challenge still confronting troops on the ground.