Author: user user

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has apologised to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, for his absence at his coronation ceremony in Ibadan on Friday.

Atiku apologised to Oba Ladoja during a visit to Olubadan at his Bodija, Ibadan, residence on Tuesday.

The former Vice-President, who was accompanied on the visit by the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorcha Ayu, former governors of Cross Rivers and Kaduna states, Senator Lyel Imoke and Malam El-Rufai, said he had planned to attend the event but was unable due to logistical reasons.

Atiku said, ‘The Chiefs of Ibadan, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. First of all, Kabiyesi, I want to start with an apology. And I hope you will accept my apology on behalf of the rest for our inability to personally witness your coronation as Olubadan, which we know is your lifetime ambition. And by the grace of God, you have attained it.

‘Virtually all members of my delegation today have one form of relationship or another with you personally. Our inability to attend the inauguration was due to the protocol logistics arrangement, which could not allow us from attending. Not that we did not want to attend.

‘I know your relationship with most of us; we have always looked forward to this day and to this position for you. That is why, therefore, I spoke with you a couple of days ago, to seek your permission to lead this very high-level and distinguished delegation to come and personally congratulate you and wish you a very long, happy reign as Olubadan.

‘Please, therefore, accept our apology for our inability to attend the actual event on that day, certainly not due to our own making, but I think God has willed it that way.

‘The protocol logistics were such that we could not meet up with those logistics and therefore had to abort that visit.

‘We very much regret our inability to personally participate in the ceremonies and we sincerely hope you will overlook and forgive our absence during that historic event.

‘It is historic to both you, your family, and us, your friends and associates all over the country and we want to thank God for sparing our lives to witness this moment of your ascension to the position of Olubadan.

‘We pray you will have a long reign. And under your reign, Ibadan will continue to grow more prosperous, more peaceful and may God grant you your heart’s desires here, in the world, and thereafter. We thank you very much indeed for allowing us to pay you this congratulatory visit.

‘I would, therefore, like to hand over to you our letter of congratulations. And hope that you will forgive us and overlook our personal absence during those celebrations. Kabiyesi, God bless you.’

In his response, Oba Ladoja recounted the good relationship he has enjoyed with Abubakar and other members of his entourage.

Oba Ladoja disclosed that as a traditional ruler, he is no longer in politics but would always remember the ideas and experiences shared with his friends.

He recounted that he has enjoyed many years of personal and working relationships with virtually all the members of the entourage.

He, therefore, assured the visitors that he would make all his friends proud, reiterating that his only task on the throne is to serve humanity.

‘Former Vice-President, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, whom I fondly call My President. My Dear friends, welcome to this place. My dear friend, for a long time, we kept close to one another. So God has brought us together again today.

‘Welcome. Even though I’m no longer one of you anymore, I’m not a politician again.

‘I was really shocked when I didn’t see some of my friends, and the same night I sent a message to Waziri that I hope nothing had happened, because the advance team was here, I was following the lists of guests and I was looking forward to seeing you, but unfortunately, you could not make it.

‘When they say logistic problems, I can understand. Protocol logistics. I can understand what it means. So that is something we can say is beyond your control. So there is nothing to forgive here because it was not deliberate. It was even difficult for all of us.

‘I said this because the first person who announced the passing away of the last Olubadan was Waziri. I woke up in the morning about 5 o’clock and I saw his message if it was a rumour that Olubadan is dead, is it true? I called him and said yes, it is true. He now said, is it now our turn? I said yes, it is our turn.

‘So that is why I said, somebody who said it is our turn and all the processes of his coming have been perfected, his advance team was here, the list of members of his entourage is here, so for him not to be able to be present, but I know that Waziri is used to such last-minute problems. So it is I who should apologise to you. Not you apologising to me because I can understand what you mean.

‘It is nice to have friends with you because I can remember that my friend, Senator Ayu said, we will carry the title of senator for life. He said there is nothing like a former senator. In fact, I was expecting your wife also. She didn’t come because she is one of my daughters.

‘Mallam has been my friend since the day of BPE. I remember there was a program of Standard Trust. Where he came and said, Maybe I will also join Standard Trust because I see potential governance here.

‘So it was his prediction that I became a governor, so thank you for that prediction. So now that I am in Olubadan, I am no more entitled to be any other thing than Olubadan.

‘We had a very nice relationship at the Senate with my friend Lyle Imoke, at that time he was the youngest senator and later on in Cross River State, when he was governor. Anytime I went visiting, he treated me with utmost respect. And it is always a joy to meet somebody you have known before.

‘Thank you very much for coming. So we meet again. And I hope that this is not going to be the last meeting because I will come to Abuja to thank each of you one by one. I am very, very grateful.’

‘I can assure you that I will make you proud as your Olubadan. I will make all my friends proud because all the religious leaders, both Christian, Muslim and the traditional ones, say that the only thing that is expected of a leader is fairness and justice. So I intend to do justice among my people and serve them with all the strength that is left in me.

‘I just passed 81 and in fact the Waziri asked me whether I was going to celebrate, and I said I was in confinement where they normally confine us before the day of coronation. So I was not opportuned to be there. They said, That’s why they are not coming to my birthday.

‘So the remainder of my life will be spent serving my people. Ibadan people, Oyo state people, Nigerian people, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support, on your advice and I hope that when we knock on your door, you will open it for us. So I am very grateful for this visit.’

As part of activities marking their 40th reunion anniversary, members of the Loyola College Old Students Association, Ibadan, have inaugurated series of developmental projects in the school.

The projects which were part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and giving back to their alma mater included construction of a borehole; renovated some sections of the school; installed a solar panel system and reconstruction of the food shed of the school as well as donation of notebooks to over 500 students.

The members dressed in their respective school uniforms, chanting their school anthem in unison, with their palms clung to their hearts.

In a week-long event in commemorating their Ruby Jubilee, the ‘G85’ Set held a public lecture with the theme: ‘The menace of drug abuse among students’, delivered by Professor Jubril Abdulmalik, a consultant psychiatrist and founder, Aside Foundation.

Speaking to over 500 Students, Prof. Abdulmalik highlighted the danger in taking drugs students, stressing that engaging in such practice damages the brain.

He stated that the commonest challenges with adolescents are anxiety, depression, drug abuse and suicidal behaviours.

This, he said, may be caused by loneliness and peer pressure influence, which are major factors.

He appealed to the students not to be involved in drugs as it destroys life and shortens one’s lifespan.

The chairman, planning committee of the event, Chief Adewale Oyewo, appreciated the members particularly those who came from the USA, UK, Canada and other parts of the continent to attend the event.

Oyewo said the G85 Set illuminated the school when it started two years ago and completed the final phase of the project to commemorate the Ruby Jubilee celebration.

In continuation of the anniversary, a dinner and award ceremony was held at Koltol Hotel and Suites, Ibadan, where it honoured the teachers who impacted knowledge in them, and sharpened their lives into what they have become.

President of the ‘G85’ Set in his speech, Prof. Babatunde Adedibu, said their Ruby Jubilee celebration was a landmark occasion, as it has been 40 years of testament to endurance, friendship, shared memories, and the transformative power of education.

Arise TV correspondent, Ojy Okpe, has spoken out about the circumstances surrounding the death of her colleague, Somtochukwu Maduagwu.

Okpe shared this during The Morning Show on Tuesday, where she recalled what happened to the late anchor.

She said, ‘Like she stated, Nigeria happened to her. I reached out to her correspondent in Abuja, who detailed the circumstances surrounding her death. She jumped from her home when she heard that 14 armed robbers had come to her home. She didn’t die on the spot. She went to the hospital, and she was rejected.’

Tribune Online had earlier reported that the 29-year-old journalist lost her life during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in Abuja in the early hours of Monday, September 29.

In a statement on its website on Monday, ARISE described Sommie, who was born on December 26, 1995, as a broadcaster who had become a trusted face to viewers nationwide.

The statement read, ‘It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the ARISE News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter, and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, following an armed robbery incident in her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police.’

Former Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 elections, Dumebi Kachikwu, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Independence Day as a moment for national reflection and leadership accountability.

In a statement signed by him in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Kachikwu expressed concern over what he described as ‘decades of mostly failed leadership’ that have left the majority of Nigerians bearing the weight of hardship in silence.

‘On this day, I can’t help but think of the sacrifices of our heroes past and wonder what they would say if they saw the Nigeria they laboured and sacrificed for today,’ he stated.

The statement described ordinary Nigerians as the ‘true patriots’ who, despite economic hardship and social inequality, have continued to maintain peace and hold on to hope.

‘Proverbs 13:12 – ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”

‘The question most Nigerians are asking their leaders today is: When will the Nigeria of their dreams emerge? When will this nation work for everyone, irrespective of tribe, tongue, or religion?’ he stressed.

While reflecting on the generational cycle of promises, Kachikwu noted that many Nigerians are now asking whether current leaders are capable of delivering a better Nigeria or if the search for such leadership must continue elsewhere.

The statement urged political leaders to treat Independence Day not merely as a ceremonial observance but as a call to conscience and action.

‘Let this Independence Day be more than just a date on the calendar. Let it be a call to conscience, a call to action,’ he emphasised.

The statement also commended the resilience of Nigerians and reaffirmed hope for a united and prosperous nation.

‘Happy Independence Day. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

A prominent gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope on the country as it was already on the path of recovery.

According to him, the various reforms, programs and policy direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, were already paving the nation’s path to recovery speedily and steadily.

In his congratulatory message to the people of the nation on the 65th independence celebration, Babayemi said the efforts of Tinubu’s administration had shown that the country’s problems were not irredeemable

‘With our trajectory as a nation and given our resilience and contributions at different times and levels as a people, we have continued to move on. Though we are not where we should be, however, we are no longer where we used to be. All these go to show that our seeming chaotic situation are not insurmountable’, the notable aspirant said.

According to him, it was gladdening that Nigeria was beginning to wear a new transformative face due to the drive of President Tinubu anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘We must commend President Tinubu for painstakingly taking Nigeria through a new phase of developmental rebirth in different sectors in the country. The result of this will no doubt, endure in the long run’ he maintained

The leading governorship contender expressed the optimism that with sustained efforts by the Tinubu’s administration at ensuring a better life for the populace, the dreary situation would soon give way.

Babayemi then pleaded with the people to continue to support the government advising that they must always give peace a chance in order to ensure the achievement of the desired tranquility and development.

‘Please, let’s always strive to seek peace; for that’s when anything meaningful can be achieved. In this strand, we must equally be law-abiding so as not to put people’s lives and property in jeopardy’ added the Prince of Gbongan.

Babayemi, while applauding the country’s founding fathers for their vision and efforts, praised past and present leaders at all levels for their contributions on the nation. He wished citizens, both at home and in Diaspora, happy and memorable celebrations.

The Umo Eno-led administration in Akwa Ibom State has launched a N100 million Creative Industry Fund to boost the state’s entertainment and film sector, in a fresh push to empower young people and expand opportunities under his ARISE Agenda.

The fund, announced during the Ibom Entertainers Week in Uyo, is targeted at building capacity, supporting practitioners, and positioning Akwa Ibom as a creative hub in Nigeria.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the initiative was one of the administration’s most significant interventions in September 2025.

‘This is not just about entertainment, it is about building an economy around the talents of our young people, giving them the tools to compete nationally and globally,’ he stressed.

The Commissioner also highlighted the inauguration of the fourth batch of the Ibom-LED Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme and the continued distribution of ARISE food packages across the 31 local government areas.

‘In just one month, more than 10,000 youths and SMEs have benefitted from training and empowerment schemes,’ he said. ‘Our governor is deliberate in creating jobs and giving hope to young people.’

On infrastructure, Umanah noted that over 771 kilometres of roads and 31 bridges are at various stages of completion, while Ibom Air has acquired four new aircraft, with work ongoing at the new Terminal Building and MRO facility at Victor Attah International Airport.

Workers’ welfare, he said, has remained a top priority. ‘Over ?78 billion has been paid in pensions and gratuities. Teachers have received N1.2 billion in wardrobe allowance. We have implemented the ?80,000 minimum wage, introduced a 13th-month salary, and approved the recruitment of 4,000 new workers,’ Umanah declared.

On social welfare, he revealed that more than 500,000 vulnerable households have benefitted from interventions, while in housing, 267 Compassionate Homes have been delivered, with 150 free houses for public servants already underway.

The health sector has equally recorded progress with the expansion of health centres, an emergency ambulance service, a medical oxygen plant, and the ongoing construction of a 350-bed International Hospital.

To secure lives and property, the governor launched the State Security Trust Fund, recruited 4,500 community watch personnel, and established a Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways. ‘We are reinforcing Akwa Ibom’s status as one of the safest states in Nigeria,’ Umanah added.

In tourism, projects such as the ARISE Resort, Ibom International Convention Centre, ARISE Shopping City, and a 2,000-capacity amphitheatre are ongoing. The ecological remediation of 70 hectares of gullies has also commenced.

The governor also partnered with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to commission 17.33 km of roads in Ika Local Government Area, while presenting new vehicles to all former deputy governors of the state.

Sports development received a boost with the successful return of the Ibom Sports Festival after 14 years, alongside the revival of inter-house sports and the Governor’s Cup, and plans for a Sports Academy.

Summing up, Umanah said: ‘These achievements are not happenstance. They are the deliberate outcomes of a governance strategy anchored on the ARISE Agenda. Akwa Ibom is on a steady path of growth, innovation, and transformation under Governor Umo Eno.’

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed claims of deliberate religious persecution in Nigeria, insisting that Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, at the launch of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s book ‘A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria,’ Tinubu described the allegations as ‘a lie from the pit of hell.’

‘There’s no religious persecution in Nigeria. It’s a lie from the pit of hell. I have always believed in good governance, and since I assumed office, I have focused on your welfare. Today, Nigerians can confidently say we have well-equipped hospitals, and we can treat critical illnesses such as cancer,’ he said.

Tinubu’s comments followed claims by American talk show host Bill Maher, who in a viral clip from his show Real Time with Bill Maher, alleged that Christians were being systematically killed in Nigeria.

‘If you don’t know what’s going on in Nigeria, your media sources suck. You are in a bubble. I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria.

‘They’ve killed over a hundred thousand since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram.

‘This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country,’ Maher said.

The video was widely circulated by international influencers, including Radio Genoa, an anti-Islamic personality on X.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had also debunked Maher’s claim, insisting that Nigeria’s security challenges should not be portrayed as a targeted campaign against a single religious group. He described the allegation as ‘a gross misrepresentation of reality.’

Reassuring Nigerians, Tinubu said the economy was improving and urged citizens to remain patient. ‘Nigeria’s economy just turned a corner, and you will receive prosperity; those talking negatively about this country should stop saying so. Just be patient, as all Nigerians will feel the prosperity in due time; don’t be corrupt,’ he said.

Ondo Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has pledged stronger collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to boost food security, empower youths, and reform land administration in the state.

The governor who gave the assurance on Monday in Akure while receiving the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit, commended FAO’s interventions since the launch of its programme in July 2024.

He specifically commended the FAO interventions in the area of training farmers, providing advocacy, and deploying GIS tools for forest mapping.

He said his administration was committed to expanding the partnership by allocating land to farmers, engaging youths in agribusiness, and backing projects with budgetary support.

‘Land is a very scarce factor of production. Many people are looking for land for expansion, while new entrants are coming in and the land size remains the same.

‘With land allocation committees at the local government level, ownership will be guaranteed and issues of land grabbing are reduced,’ the governor said.

He stressed the need to prepare younger farmers for the future.

‘Most farmers are getting old. Before they retire, it is better to start training younger ones.

‘We had Youth on Ridges in the last administration where land was cleared and provided for young people to farm. We need to revisit that deliberately and intentionally,’

Earlier, Gadain said his visit was to review FAO’s progress in the state and identify fresh areas of collaboration in line with Ondo’s priorities on food security, climate resilience, and natural resource management.

He disclosed that Ondo is currently benefitting from two Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects – the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) project, and the Biodiversity project covering Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Ogun States.

Both are aimed at restoring degraded forests, conserving biodiversity, and supporting local livelihoods.

According to him, FAO’s interventions in Ondo include establishing a GIS laboratory, reviving extension services, introducing farmer field and business schools, facilitating policy dialogue on land access, and setting up solar-powered nurseries capable of producing over two million seedlings.

He revealed that more than 3,800 hectares of degraded forest have already been restored in the state, while another one million seedlings are to be delivered.

‘Our interventions also align with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, which will enhance food security, create jobs, expand export revenue, and strengthen ecosystem services in Ondo State,’ Gadain said.

Top government officials at the meeting included Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; and Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Olaleye Akinola, amongst others.

Toncoin (TON) is under heavy pressure after sliding to $2.82, breaking below the key $2.90 support. Meanwhile, Stellar (XLM) is showing more resilience, holding near $0.386 with neutral momentum as traders track a potential breakout toward $0.50 if support around $0.36 holds.

While these tokens fight to stabilize, BlockDAG (BDAG) is stealing the spotlight. The project’s presale has already raised nearly $415M, sold 26.5B coins, and locked a batch 30 price of $0.0013, far below its confirmed $0.05 listing. Backed by a headline BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership, BlockDAG is rewriting the emerging crypto coins with record-breaking momentum and viral investor demand.

TON Slides Below $2.90 as Sellers Target Deeper Losses

Toncoin has broken below the critical $2.90 support, falling to $2.82 with a sharp 7.9% daily loss. Multiple failed attempts to hold the $3.16 resistance opened the door for bears to take control, leaving traders focused on the next key levels. Immediate resistance now sits at $3.00, while the next major support zone is between $2.60 and $2.70.

Market weakness and risk-off sentiment are adding pressure, pushing traders to exit high-volatility assets. Toncoin’s recent adoption news offers little protection as technical indicators signal more downside. A recovery above $3.00 is needed to shift momentum back to the bulls. Without it, sellers are likely to extend losses toward the $2.60 floor, making this a high-risk but potential buy zone for investors.

XLM Slips Below $0.39 but Traders See a Path to $0.50

Stellar (XLM) is trading near $0.386, down about 2.3% this week. Market cap sits at roughly $12.3 billion, with daily trading volume dropping to $150 million, signalling reduced activity. Technical charts show strong support between $0.36 and $0.37, while resistance remains near $0.45. If buyers defend these levels, analysts see a potential move toward the critical $0.50 mark.

The Relative Strength Index hovers around 50, showing a neutral market where neither bulls nor bears dominate. A clean breakout above $0.45 could spark renewed momentum, while failure to hold $0.36 may trigger a slide toward $0.30. Investors tracking mid-cap crypto trends may view this range as an opportunity to accumulate ahead of a push toward $0.50.

BlockDAG’s $415M Presale Explodes With BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team Deal

BlockDAG is turning into a market event as its BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership floods X, Telegram, and Discord with nonstop buzz. The project’s presale has nearly raised $415 million, sold 26.5 billion coins, and locked a Batch 30 price of $0.0013, creating one of the most watched early-stage crypto launches of 2025. This isn’t a quiet presale anymore, BlockDAG is now trending across social channels, and that visibility is driving a new wave of retail buying.

The hype isn’t just noise. Whales have already pooled more than $10 million, signalling institutional-scale interest before the official launch. With each batch pushing the price higher, traders are rushing to lock in the current rate before the gap to the confirmed $0.05 listing price narrows further.

This viral momentum is reshaping investor psychology. BlockDAG’s presale is no longer about speculation but about securing entry before October’s next price move. The combination of hard adoption numbers and a global BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership gives this project a rare mix of credibility and excitement. At $0.0013, the window for an early position is shrinking by the day.

Final Take

Toncoin’s recent price crash signals growing uncertainty, while Stellar’s steady climb remains tied to cautious accumulation and key technical levels. Both offer trading setups but lack a defining catalyst strong enough to pull capital away from safer market trends.

BlockDAG, on the other hand, is building an entirely different story. Its nearly $415M presale, confirmed $0.05 listing target, and viral BWT Alpine Formula 1® Team partnership give it the kind of institutional credibility rarely seen in early crypto launches. With each batch pushing prices higher, the current $0.0013 entry stands out as one of the most asymmetric opportunities in emerging crypto coins analysis. For investors, BlockDAG offers a chance to buy into momentum before it turns into the next headline rally.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has empowered a total of 58,933 Corps members with different digital skills in its entrepreneurship drive towards youth empowerment within the last two years.

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, made this known in his goodwill message at a retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme, ‘Achieving the youth-focused Presidential Priorities And Deliverables’, held in Abuja.

The DG said for more than two years of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NYSC has been drawing strength from the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and, by extension, the Federal Government.

He stated further that the Scheme has remained committed to the success of the sixth priority area, which is focused on education, health and social investment as essential pillars of development.

Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said while congratulating the Minister for his accomplishments since assuming office, General Nafiu added that Olawande’s passion has been a source of inspiration for the Nigerian youths.

‘As at the second quarter 2025, fifty-six thousand and thirteen Corps members had been exposed to digital skills through ICT training at NYSC orientation camps nationwide.

‘Our partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre has yielded digital skills training for two thousand, nine hundred and twenty female Corps members’, he said.

General Nafiu noted that NYSC has contributed to one of the key deliverables of the sixth priority area, which is galvanising the internal and external economies of scale for youth entrepreneurial sharpening through inter-agency engagements and collaboration.

The NYSC Chief Executive stated further that the Scheme would strengthen its existing partnership to drive empowerment initiatives and youth support systems through enhanced collaboration with Access Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, NNPC Foundation/Kudimata and Activate Success on its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.

He said NYSC’s partnerships, together with other initiatives, gave rise to the Scheme’s contributions to the second deliverable, namely, improvement of employability and access of youth to business and income-generating opportunities.

General Nafiu also said the number of Corps members supported in mentorship, internship, apprenticeship and career development opportunities also keeps rising, as 385,461 Corps members had participated in the SAED programme from June 2023 to the second quarter of 2025.

‘Through our public and private sector partners, one thousand, one hundred and eighteen Corps members were given financial support to start their businesses over the last two years.

‘NYSC has made great contributions in the area of education with five hundred and seventy-four thousand Corps members posted on teaching assignments, especially in rural schools, from June 2023 to date.

‘In the area of health, 38,112 Corps members were posted to health facilities across the country, also with priority given to rural deployment, resulting in enhanced access to quality health care services for the citizenry.

‘Moreover, as part of the Scheme’s contributions to the achievement of universal health coverage, 49839 Nigerians had benefitted from medical outreaches under the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers within the period’, he added.

General Nafiu also said the foregoing achievements were products of shared vision and commitment to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

He reiterated NYSC’s continued partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and other stakeholders in its determination to drive initiatives that would accelerate national development.

In his address at the event, the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, called on the youths to make effective use of the youth help desk domiciled at the Ministry.

He said President Tinubu had earlier charged the Ministry to become a true place of hope and empowerment for the Nigerian youths.

He added that the Youth Ministry has trained a total of fifteen thousand, five hundred and nine youths on digital skills instead of the targeted figure of ten thousand.

‘We planned to support Eighty Thousand youths in mentorship and career development, but we recorded Ninety-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and twelve beneficiaries.

‘In crime reduction and peace building, we trained a total of five thousand and twenty-three. The Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) has recorded over two hundred and fifty thousand Nigerian youths,’ Olawande said.

He also said there was a need to speed up operations on the National Youth Investment Fund so as to fast-track other initiatives and laudable achievements for the Ministry.