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Following the assertion by a former Minister of Information and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan will run on the platform of the party in 2027, the former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh has affirmed that former president Jonathan is eligible to run and highly welcome to challenge President Tinubu in his second term bid.

According to Onoh, it is up to Nigerians to decide who leads them, just as he promised that the Tinubu administration will not infringe on any opponents’ right to contest.

Onoh, who spoke to newsmen in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday believed that Jonathan’s eligibility under constitutional term limits is already a settled legal precedent that was established through unchallenged judicial rulings.

His position on the issue pertaining to the views expressed by Professor Gana on that Jonathan will contest came barely 24 hours after a PDP presidential aspirant, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said there would be no automatic ticket for the former president.

Expatiation on his position, Onoh asserted that Jonathan’s qualification to contest future elections had been settled legally, rendering further litigation unnecessary and untimely.

He advised him to guide against betrayal by anyone telling him otherwise.

He equally urged Tinubu to be wary of the antics of the few that may be playing double standard, whereas they are wolves in a ship clothing.

‘It was exactly how Jonathan’s inner cabal during the build up to 2015 elections deceived him to believe he was invisible, Nigerians love him, to the extent he was too carried away that he felt invisible and never saw you coming. ‘You Mr. President was the invisible magician that cast the spell that led to his loss at the poll. Don’t fall in the same trap by the voices that surround you now. The one major sincere voice you should listen to is your wife, the first lady if the federal republic of Nigeria. Many will betray you in the coming months,’ he warned.

Onoh further stated that had obtained a certified true copy of a binding and unappealed judgment in May 2022, of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State (Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/86/2022) affirming that the court delivered a definitive ruling in a case brought by All Progressives Congress members: Andy Solomon and Ibidiye Abraham against Jonathan, the APC, and INEC.

He stated that in the document, Justice Isa H. Dashen held that Jonathan is ‘constitutionally eligible to contest the presidency again.’.

The court, he argued, reasoned that: ‘Jonathan’s assumption of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was not an ‘election’ under Section 137(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). It was a succession to complete Yar’Adua’s unexpired term, invoking the ‘doctrine of necessity’ and not counting toward the two-term limit for elected mandates.

‘Jonathan was ‘elected only once’-in the 2011 presidential election-serving a full four-year term until 2015. His 2015 bid was a legitimate reelection attempt, defeated at the polls, but it did not exhaust his constitutional allowance.

The 2018 constitutional amendment (via the Fourth Alteration Act), which added Section 137(3) to bar anyone ‘sworn in twice’ from further contests, does not apply retroactively to Jonathan. As the amendment postdated his tenures (2010-2015), it cannot retroactively disqualify rights accrued under the pre-amendment framework. Onoh stated that Ex post facto laws are impermissible in Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, a principle reinforced by precedents like the Court of Appeal’s 2015 ruling in Cyriacus Njoku v. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2015) LPELR-24496(CA), which similarly excluded his 2010 oath from term-counting calculations.’

Onoh asserted that the 2022 judgment was ‘never appealed’ by the plaintiffs or any party, despite the 90-day window under the Constitution and relevant electoral laws. Over three years later (as of September 2025), the ruling stands as final and binding under the doctrine of res judicata-barring relitigation of the same issues between the same parties. Hence i urge Mr. President not to listen to anyone who comes to spin him with legal possibilities of Jonathan’s eligibility because Nigerian jurisprudence, including Supreme Court decisions like Marwa v. Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1296) 200, upholds such precedents to ensure legal certainty and prevent endless challenges to settled rights.

Onoh claimed that It’s too late for the aggrieved to challenge the judgment.

Onoh said that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled against ‘stale’ claims that could have been appealed timely (e.g., A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia State (2001) 11 NWLR (Pt. 725) 689).

– Precedent from 2013: An earlier Federal High Court ruling (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/231/2013, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi) cleared Jonathan to run in 2015, also unappealed, forming the bedrock for the 2022 decision. This chain of unassailed judgments creates an impregnable legal shield.

Onoh said that in his opinion, ‘eligibility is a settled constitutional right, not open to political conjecture. I’m aware many critics in the past have framed opposition as a ‘risk’ for parties fielding him, will face a disqualification, acknowledging the unresolved tension with the 2018 amendment-but the 2022 ruling resolves it in Jonathan’s favor.

In essence, the matter is not pending a ‘jury’ (or judiciary) trial; it was conclusively decided. Suggesting otherwise risks undermining judicial authority by implying courts must revisit final verdicts at political whim, eroding the stability essential to Nigeria’s electoral process. I owe Mr. President the truth before he’s betrayed again by politicians waving successful statistics around him without any knowledge of how Nigerians truly perceive your administration which isn’t encouraging at the moment but it’s within your powers to change the narratives to your favour.

To honor the rule of law If Jonathan enters the 2027 race, I advise President Tinubu to engage on visions for economic revival, security, and unity, this elevates the conversation, respecting Jonathan’s cleared path while focusing on voters’ priorities. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when legal finality frees space for ideas, not recycled litigation.

Zamfara Police Command has succeeded in the arrest of notorious bandit Mohammed Dankani popularly known as ‘Akki’, and recovered arms and ammunition in the state.

Briefing newsmen while addressing men and officers on the achievements recorded on Tuesday at the police command headquarters in Gusau, the commissioner of police Ibrahim B. Maikaba commended all operatives involved in the operations for their exceptional bravery, professionalism, and commitment.

According to him, the notorious bandit was apprehended in Funtua, Katsina State, following credible intelligence linking him to numerous kidnapping cases across the state.

‘On 17th September 2025, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Muhammadu Dan Kani 57 years old, popularly known as ‘Akki’ from Kuraje in Bungudu LGA.

‘During the investigation, the suspect confessed to having been part of the kidnapping gang terrorizing Tsafe, Yandato, and Yanwarin Daji.

‘He further admitted to being an active member of the Kachalla Dan Goggo Gang, a criminal syndicate known for orchestrating high-profile kidnappings within Damba, Mareri, and Saminaka areas all in Gusau Local Government Area in the state.’

CP Maikaba explained that Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the Gang and determine the full scope of their operations.

Meanwhile, on 15th September 2025, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command while on routine patrol along Gummi-Sokoto Road, intercepted a Toyota Corolla car. When a search was conducted the following recoveries were made; Four (4) AK-47 rifles,200 rounds of PKT ammunition, 28 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and four (4) empty AK-47 magazines.

‘The items were concealed in a sack of oranges belonging to one Nasiru Dawan Jiya, who confessed to transporting the weapons to bandits in Gurusu Village investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to arrest other accomplices and dismantle the entire supply chain.

‘Similarly, on 19th September 2025, at about 1630 hours, while on intensive patrol along the Gusau-Sokoto Highway near the Gada Biyu area, operatives successfully intercepted and apprehended two male suspects riding on motorcycles. Both suspects were found in possession of 18 fabricated firearms.

‘On 14th September 2025, based on credible intelligence, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Alhaji Shehu Aliyu in Gurusu Village. He was found with nine (9) sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.’

He disclosed that Aliyu is a known and repeated drug dealer with a criminal record spanning over six years and is currently in custody as investigations continue.

CP Maikaba maintained that the achievements recorded reflect the ongoing transformation and renewed vigor within the Zamfara State Police Command.

He assured the good people of Zamfara State that the Police Command remains steadfast in its determination to eliminate criminal activities and ensure the safety of all residents.

He urged members of the public to support the Police by providing timely and actionable information saying public cooperation is invaluable in the fight against crime in the state.

As part of efforts to reposition the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has met with the newly called-to-Bar personnel of the Force.

Addressing the officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Egbetokun urged them to uphold integrity, professionalism, and discipline as they assume dual responsibilities as law enforcement officers and legal practitioners.

The IGP charged the 98 police officers, who were recently called to the Bar after completing the Nigerian Law School programme, to always ensure that every action they take is grounded in the law.

According to him, the Nigeria Police Force is not just an enforcement institution but also the frontline defender of law and order in the country. He stressed that the Force cannot effectively discharge this duty without officers who deeply understand the law and can apply it with clarity.

He said, ‘Your success, therefore, is not for yourselves alone, it is an asset for the Force and for Nigeria. Let me congratulate you on your successful completion of the Nigerian Law School programme and your call to the Bar. I have also been informed that one of you graduated with First Class Honours, a rare and outstanding feat. You have made the Nigeria Police Force proud, and for that, I thank you.

‘Policing is about enforcing the law, and no Force can do this effectively without sound legal knowledge. The Police require officers who are not only courageous in the field but also competent in the courtroom and clear in their interpretation of justice.

‘Every action we take must be grounded in the law. Every power we exercise must be backed by the law. And every responsibility we bear must be judged by the law. This is why your achievement matters.

‘You return to this institution not just as police officers, but as custodians of legal knowledge. That knowledge must not be idle. It must be put to work, to strengthen the Force and to serve the people of Nigeria.

‘Your success comes at a defining moment. The Nigeria Police Force has recently been upgraded in status and has now become the Force Directorate of Legal Services, under the command of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police. This elevation is not symbolic; it is strategic. The Directorate must now deliver sharper legal direction, ensure that our prosecutions are watertight, protect the Force against legal vulnerabilities, and shape policy at the highest levels. You are entering at this turning point, and the responsibility to make this Directorate excel rests heavily on your shoulders.’

While charging the lawyers, Egbetokun emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force does not need lawyers in uniform for decoration but officers who will add value. He said: ‘We need lawyers in uniform who will defend this institution with skill, with courage, and with integrity.

‘As young officers, I charge you to: Strengthen prosecutions, ensure that our cases are tight, professional, and beyond compromise. Uphold integrity, let your conduct be above reproach; compromise and corruption must never stain the Directorate. Advise with authority, your legal opinion must be clear, practical, and reliable, such that commanders can trust it without hesitation.

‘Advance reforms, help align the Force with constitutional standards, human rights obligations, and international best practices. Inspire others, be role models to officers coming behind you. Prove that police officers can wear the uniform and the lawyer’s gown with distinction.

‘Your call to the Bar has doubled your responsibility. You are now accountable to the Force, to the legal profession, and to the Nigerian people. You cannot afford to fail in any of these. Remember this: the uniform you wear is not ordinary. Combined with the authority of the lawyer’s gown, it places you in a unique and demanding position. You must carry yourselves with humility, discipline, and loyalty to the Force.’

Egbetokun also advised them not to misuse their legal knowledge for personal advantage.

He added: ‘Channel it into service. Let your competence strengthen this Directorate. Let your integrity inspire this institution. Excellence will be recognised and rewarded. Mediocrity will not be tolerated. You have brought pride to this Force. But pride is not enough. This institution has invested in you. Now, you must justify that investment.

‘Step into the Directorate of Legal Services with confidence, but also with duty. The nation is watching. The Force is depending on you. Your work will determine not just your future, but also the standing of the Nigeria Police as a professional institution of law enforcement.

‘Make no mistake: this achievement is not about the gown you will wear in court. It is about the standard you will set in this uniform. The Police, at this time more than ever before, do not just need lawyers who carry titles-it needs officers who will make the law work for justice, for discipline, and for Nigeria.’

The Malala Fund has commended the collective education activism in Nigeria, particularly noting the crucial role of local education activists and young women and girls in driving change.

During her visit to Nigeria, Malala Fund Co-founder Malala Yousafzai expressed her admiration for the tireless efforts of these individuals.

Malala said, ‘I’m so honoured to be in Nigeria once again. Nigeria is a very important part of the Malala Fund’s projects.’

‘We know that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children, and girls here have the same dream and determination as girls everywhere else to be able to learn and have a future for themselves.’

‘The Malala Fund works closely with local partners to understand the complex challenges facing girls’ education in Nigeria. We believe that education is the best solution, education is the best investment in their future,’ Malala stated.

Malala also outlined the organisation’s focus on education as a solution against child marriage and forced marriage, re-enrolment of girls in schools, and policy change to guarantee 12 years of education for every girl.

‘Our activists have made many achievements in many states of the country in securing better policies, gender-responsive policies for girls,’ she added.

The Malala Fund team are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that policies are implemented and financed to bring real change to girls’ education in Nigeria.

‘I met the girls, I met the education activists here in Nigeria, and I am more determined than ever that change is possible, and we will see it happen in our lifetime when every girl in Nigeria will be able to have her right to a complete and quality education.’ She said.

Also speaking, the Malala Fund’s Chief Executive in Nigeria, Nabila Aguele, explained the organisation’s impact in the country, citing a decade of investment and activism that has yielded significant results.

‘We have had a presence on the ground for 10 years, and have invested about eight million dollars over that time. But impact cannot only be measured in dollars and time.’

‘Just last year, one of our partners working with the government of Adamawa state supported that state in launching their first-ever education policy, which was gender-responsive and spoke to the needs of girls and broader communities.’

Aguele underscored the importance of local activism and expertise in driving change for adolescent girls’ education. ‘Our problems are not being solved by outsiders.

‘That’s why I’m proud to lead an organisation that invests exclusively in local activists, local experts who work to inform policy as well as community, and who do so with the voice and the power of the girl in mind.’

‘The Malala Fund has focused its efforts in specific states, including Kaduna, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, and Oyo.

‘We have selected these states because they have a high need for girls’ education, as well as a robust civil society ecosystem and political will,’ Nabila explained.

Aguele pointed out the work of local partners, including Bridge Connect Africa in Kano, which is working on gender-responsive budgeting with the state government, and the Centre for Girls Education in Kaduna, which is pioneering safe spaces for adolescent girls.

‘The Malala Fund engages with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, traditional rulers, and community leaders, to ensure that girls have access to 12 years of quality education.

‘This work cannot be done by any one actor. It needs to be owned and driven by government, but also by community.’

Aguele noted that systems change, capacity building, and partnership are crucial in ensuring that policies are informed by the realities and needs of girls.

‘We need to ensure that whatever is being done by policymakers is informed by the realities and the needs and the wants of the girls.’

‘That’s where we find the disconnect. It’s not always about whether there’s intent or interest. It’s about policies being developed and implemented without the right people at the table.’ She said.

The Board Member, Pearl Uzokwe, disclosed that the Malala Fund recognises the crucial role men and boys can play in promoting girls’ education and the organisation is working to engage men and boys in this effort.

‘We have to carry them a lot, so they have to have a community entr,y and then you’re buying it,’ Pearl said. ‘How are you doing it? What have been the efforts in terms of engagement as mobilisers for your children in education?’

‘Malala Fund is collaborating with men in different spaces to promote girls’ education. ‘Just as you’ve said, we’ve come to realise that if we are going to achieve the goals and the aspirations that we have for girls, then we are going to have to think about boys and men as allies,’ she said.

She noted that fathers often love their children but may not understand the value of girls’ education due to societal norms.

‘If we don’t tackle the issues of the social norms that prevent them from understanding the true value, economic and otherwise, of girls being in school, then we are going to have a challenge in our hands,’ she said.

The first prosecution witness (PW1) in the ongoing trial of the immediate past governor of Taraba State, Architect Darius Ishaku and one other before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ismail Oluwadamilare Lawal, on Tuesday told the court that he did not know the total amount of the former governor’s earned allowances he collected on his behalf from the Government House, Jalingo.

Ishaku and a former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Sylvanus Oriji, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/ 792/2024, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.

The former governor and his co-defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

At the resumed hearing in the case today, Lawal, who was a personal assistant to the former governor, told the court under cross examination by counsel for the former governor, Paul Ogbole SAN, that he collected cash on behalf of the first defendant but did not know the total amount and the dates he collected the money.

‘I collected the first defendant’s earned allowances and distributed them based on his instructions. But I don’t know the total amount I received on his behalf. I also don’t know the dates,’ the witness told the court.

He told the court that he too was paid allowances for working with the former governor, adding that he was paid N20,000 allowance per day anytime he travelled with his principal.

Lawal informed the court that he was paid N130,000 monthly salary and had a poultry farm at Kubwa, Abuja, with 6,000 birds while working with the former governor.

‘The birds were 6,000 then but as of today, they are 2,000. The capacity has diminished. As of then, the poultry’s value was about N5million. It is being run by my father and me,’ he said.

When shown the notebook he made entries of allowances he collected earlier tendered as exhibit by the prosecution, the witness told the court that the entries were not counter signed by those he collected money from.

He further said that the notebook was neither a government record nor banking record, adding that the recording he did in the notebook was between him and the former governor.

Answering other questions, Lawal told the court that he was asked to go to Lagos by the first defendant and informed that he lodged in hotels, paying N20,000 daily, amounting to N600,000 per month.

According to him, ‘I was asked to go to Lagos by His Excellency (Ishaku). That was not the first time I had been to Lagos; I have friends and relatives there.

‘I stayed in hotels in Lagos. I paid bills for the time I stayed there at N20,000 per day, totalling N600,000 per month. I spent one and seven months there.’

He, however, said he did not tender any hotel receipts, adding that EFCC operatives that arrested him in his hotel room in Lagos carted away some documents, including some of the receipts.

The PW1 told the court that he was taken to EFCC Lagos office when he was arrested and was brought to Abuja from there same day. He added that he made statement to the anti-graft agency in Lagos.

Meanwhile, Justice Oriji has adjourned the case to October 20 for the continuation of cross examination of the PW1.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan to continue to enjoy his retirement and protect his good name.

Spokesman of the party, Mogaji Seye Oladejo gave the advice while reacting to the statement made by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana on the former President Jonathan contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Oladejo described Gana’s rhetoric as too soon, noting that elections are about ideas and performance, not just bringing back old leaders.

He said, ‘Prof. Gana cannot decide alone who will be the PDP candidate, adding that this shows the party still has problems with fairness and internal democracy.

‘If Jonathan tries to run again, it will not be easy for him because of past records and other challenges. Nigerians should focus on real issues like food, electricity, transport, jobs, and security. President Bola Tinubu is already working on reforms to grow the economy and improve people’s lives.’

Popular comedian and talk show host, Teju Oyelakin, popularly known as Teju Babyface, has advised men against confessing to their wives or partners if they cheat, warning that such admissions only cause more harm than good.

In a YouTube video shared on Monday, Teju described confessing infidelity as one of the ‘most catastrophic and damaging’ things a person can do in a marriage.

‘If you cheat on your wife or your husband, but especially your wife – especially men – if you cheat on your wife, don’t tell her. Don’t confess. Do not ever do it,’ he said.

‘It is one of the most catastrophic and damaging things you can ever do in your life.’

The comedian said many people misinterpret the idea of confession, noting that while some quote the Bible to justify it, confession of sin is meant for God and not for humans.

‘People will even quote the Bible to support the idea of confession. They will say that if we confess and repent, then our sins are forgiven,’ he said.

‘Excuse me, that is to God and from God, not to man. It is confession to God, not to man. Do not do it.’

He added that people who confess after cheating often deceive themselves into thinking they are being honest, when in reality they are being manipulative.

‘You are not being honest; you are being manipulative. What you’re really doing is shedding the weight of your guilt, not helping your spouse. You’re looking for someone else to carry the burden of your wrongdoing,’ he explained.

Sharing a personal experience, Teju admitted that before marriage, he once cheated in a serious relationship and confessed, a decision he now regrets. He said the confession was not driven by honesty but by a subconscious desire to sabotage the relationship.

‘I can see clearly now that I confessed because I wanted out of the relationship,’ he said.

‘If I cheated and then confessed, and she left by herself, I could justify it to myself. That was not honesty – that was cowardice.’

He argued that confessions rarely heal relationships but instead deepen wounds and permanently alter trust.

‘There is no benefit to your spouse when you confess. All the benefits are yours. What you give them is pain, heartache, and misery,’ he stated.

According to him, some marriages never recover from the damage caused by such revelations.

‘I have a friend who cheated on his wife 15 years ago, confessed in their first year of marriage, and to this day she still holds it over his head. He’s still suffering from that confession,’ he shared.

Teju stressed that true repentance should involve a change of behaviour, not confession, urging men to stop cheating rather than seek emotional relief by telling their wives.

‘If you feel bad about cheating, stop cheating. If you still feel guilty, confess to God or a counsellor, not your wife. Don’t ever put that weight on her. That’s not honesty; that’s cruelty,’ he said.

He also distinguished between a man who makes a mistake and one who is a habitual cheater.

‘The fact that you cheated once doesn’t make you a cheater,’ he noted.

‘A cheater is someone who does it repeatedly. But if you stumbled once, learn from it and change your actions, don’t destroy your home in the name of confession.’

Former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians not to despair despite the current challenges in the land, but to continue to nurture hope in the possibilities of greatness within the country.

Dr Jonathan stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence Anniversary, which, he said, ‘offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building.’

The former President wrote:

‘Our nation marks another significant milestone in its journey to nationhood. As we celebrate 65 years of independence from colonial rule, this moment offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building; on the challenges we have faced, and on the vast possibilities that still lie ahead.

‘It is true that we face challenges that could test our sense of hope: insecurity, economic disparities, and institutions that often struggle to deliver on the promises of improved wellbeing, peace and security.

‘Yet, as citizens, we must not lose faith. We must continue to nurture hope and sustain belief in the nation’s enormous potential and the resilience of the people.

‘Nigeria is a blessed nation, endowed with vast land, abundant natural resources, and, above all, the ingenuity and creativity of the people.

‘Our cultural richness, our knowledge, and our wisdom have continued to distinguish Nigerians across every sphere of human endeavour, both at home and abroad.

‘As we look to the future, let patriotism guide our actions. Let us hold firmly to optimism and faith, knowing that the greatness of our country is within reach if we remain united and steadfast. May our nation continue to rise in strength and purpose.’

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.

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.