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The NYSC Osun State Coordinator, Mr Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, has charged Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) deployed to the State for the 2026 Batch C Stream I Orientation Course to strictly observe camp rules, pay attention to details and prioritise their safety throughout the exercise.

Kubiangha gave the charge on Wednesday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, as registration commenced for PCMs deployed and those dislodged from Lagos and Ekiti States to Osun State.

He said discipline, compliance with guidelines and active participation were essential to ensuring a smooth, safe and impactful orientation course.

Kubiangha assured the PCMs that the registration process would be seamless if they carefully followed instructions from Camp officials. He noted that every valid call-up letter carried a QR code for verification, advising the PCMs to report any document without the code as a possible anomaly.

He also urged them to carefully examine all forms and documents before filling them out to allow for necessary corrections and adjustments.

Kubiangha advised the PCMs to disclose any existing medical conditions and to pay close attention to their health while participating in the various Camp activities, including parade, volleyball and football. He urged them to recognise their individual health needs and seek appropriate medical attention whenever necessary.

According to him, the Orientation Course was designed to reshape, strengthen and further develop the character of the PCMs, building on the foundations acquired in their various tertiary institutions.

He explained that the presence of military personnel, the Police, Man O’ War and other collaborating agencies was part of the effort to instil discipline, integrity and responsible conduct among Course participants.

The State Coordinator encouraged the PCMs to speak up and seek clarification whenever necessary, assuring them that appropriate action would be taken against any act of molestation, harassment or other forms of misconduct on the camp.

He drew their attention to the various signposts and notices strategically placed around the Camp, urging them to familiarise themselves with and comply with the rules and regulations governing their stay.

Kubiangha further advised the PCMs to be respectful in their dealings with one another and Camp Officials, noting that the Orientation Course would bring together people from diverse backgrounds. He urged them to exercise restraint and avoid overreacting to situations, stressing the need for caution and responsible conduct at all times.

Addressing the issue of dislodged PCMs, the State Coordinator said he had already communicated with his counterparts in Lagos and Ekiti States, assuring the affected PCMs that they would receive equal treatment and enjoy the same opportunities and facilities available to other participants.

The Head of Registration, Mrs Fatima Taiwo, listed the documents required for registration to include the original call-up letter, green card, addendum, NERD clearance, degree certificate, OND/HND certificate or statement of result, school identity card and National Identification Number (NIN) slip.

She added that PCMs in health-related professions were required to present their practising licences. She also advised anyone whose graduation date on the call-up letter differed from the date on their academic credentials to resolve the discrepancy before completing registration.

The Camp Commandant, Captain YA Nuhu, assured the PCMs that Camp Officials would continually guide and mentor them on the expectations and requirements of the Orientation Course.

In her remarks, the Camp Director, Mrs Ronke Otunla, urged the PCMs to remain calm, enjoy their stay and strictly abide by the rules and regulations of the Camp. She wished them a successful and rewarding Orientation Course.

On arrival, the PCMs were received at the Servicom desk with refreshments and sanitary pads for the female PCMs. Medical personnel also conducted health screening by checking their vital signs as part of the registration process.

Many Nigerians have gift cards sitting unused in their email or drawer, while their phone keeps running out of airtime at the worst possible moment. The good news is that you can turn that idle card into credit for calls, chats and everyday connection. This guide shows you how it works, from selling the card to topping up your line.

Why Nigerians Are Turning Gift Cards Into Airtime?

Gift cards have become a common part of life in Nigeria, but not everyone has a practical use for them. Relatives abroad send them during festive seasons, freelancers receive them as payment from foreign clients, and some people win them in online promos. The challenge is that many of these cards are tied to foreign stores that are difficult to shop from locally.

Here are some everyday situations many people can relate to:

You receive an Apple gift card from a cousin in the UK, but you use an Android phone.

A client pays you with an Amazon card, and shipping items to Nigeria costs too much.

You win a Steam card in a contest, but you don’t play video games.

You have a small leftover balance that feels too little to spend but too valuable to waste.

Airtime, on the other hand, is something almost every Nigerian needs daily. Calls to family, business deals, customer follow-ups and online classes all depend on it. Converting a gift card into airtime simply turns something you can’t use into something you need. It also removes the stress of hunting for a vendor or buying credit with cash every few days, which is why more people now see their gift cards as a quick source of everyday value.

Before you start the conversion, a few basics need to be in place.

What You Need Before You Sell Gift Cards in Nigeria?

A smooth trade begins with good preparation. Having the right details ready saves time and helps you get the full value of your card.

A valid, unused card. Confirm that the card has not been redeemed and still carries its full balance.

Clear card details. Keep the physical card, e-code or receipt close by. If you take photos, make sure every digit is sharp and visible.

Knowledge of your card type. Know whether your card is physical or digital and which country it was issued in, since both affect the rate you get.

A trusted platform. Pick a platform with transparent rates, quick payouts and a support team that actually responds.

When you sell gift cards in Nigeria, the platform you choose matters as much as the card itself. Unknown buyers on social media often disappear once they receive a code, leaving the seller with nothing. A registered platform with a clear track record removes that risk and gives you a proper record of every trade.

With these basics sorted, you are ready to make the switch from card to credit.

How to Convert Gift Cards to Airtime on Cardgoal?

Cardgoal makes this process simple because you can trade your gift card and top up your phone in one place. There is no need to move money around or deal with a middleman. Here is how the journey looks.

Create your account. Download the Cardgoal app or visit the website, then sign up and verify your details.

Choose your gift card. Select the card brand and country from the list, and check the current rate so you know what to expect.

Submit the card details. Enter the card code or upload a clear picture of the card along with its receipt, then submit the trade.

Wait for approval. The team reviews and verifies the card. Once it is approved, the naira value lands in your Cardgoal wallet.

Top up from your wallet. Open the airtime section, pick up your network, enter the phone number and amount, then confirm the purchase.

That is all it takes. Because your trade balance and the airtime service sit in the same app, you skip the extra step of withdrawing to your bank and buying credit elsewhere. It keeps things fast, tidy and easy to track. If a trade takes longer than expected, the support team can check its status and guide you through any issue with the card, so you are never left guessing about where your money is.

Converting the card is only half the picture, because the airtime service has plenty to offer on its own.

What You Get When You Buy Airtime in Nigeria With Cardgoal

Many people still wonder how to buy airtime in Nigeria without queuing at a kiosk or scratching recharge cards under poor lighting. Cardgoal’s telecom service gives a simple answer to that problem.

Here is what the service offers:

Airtime top-ups for MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile lines

Recharge for your own number or for friends and family

Access at any hour, including weekends and public holidays

Quick delivery of credit once your purchase is confirmed

A full history of your top-ups inside the app

This setup works well for many kinds of users. Students in hostels can recharge without leaving their rooms. Small business owners who make many calls a day can top up in seconds between customers. Parents can send credit to their children’s phones from anywhere, and anyone who receives gift cards from family abroad now has a direct way to put them to work.

Learning how to buy airtime online in Nigeria also means fewer failed bank transfers and fewer trips to the roadside vendor. Everything happens on your phone, in a few taps.

On top of this convenience, Cardgoal also gives you something back for staying active.

Extra Rewards When You Sell Gift Cards in Nigeria With Cardgoal

Every trade on Cardgoal can come with a little extra. The platform runs reward features that help users get more from their activity over time.

Referral bonuses. Invite friends to join Cardgoal and earn a bonus when they start trading.

Daily rewards. Log in regularly to collect coins that build up the more consistent you are.

Trade rewards. Complete trades on the platform and earn rewards that grow with your activity.

These perks may look small on their own, but together they stretch the value of every card you sell. Over weeks and months, that extra value can translate into more airtime, more calls and more savings.

Rewards help, but a few smart habits can boost your value even further.

Smart Tips to Buy Airtime in Nigeria and Get More Value

Buying airtime online is quick, but a few simple habits help you avoid wasted credit and get more from every top-up. Keep these tips in mind:

Confirm the network before you pay. With number portability in Nigeria, a phone number’s prefix does not always show which network it is on. Selecting the wrong network can cause the top-up to fail or be delayed, so check with the owner of the line if you are unsure.

Double-check the phone number. One wrong digit can send your airtime to a stranger’s line, and recovering it is not always possible.

Watch out for value-added service subscriptions. Some lines are subscribed to services like caller tunes, news alerts or content packs that renew automatically and eat into your airtime. Check your active subscriptions with your network and cancel the ones you do not use.

Know that borrowed airtime is deducted on your next recharge. If you borrow airtime from your network, the amount owed will be taken from your next top-up, so factor that in when deciding how much to buy.

Top up before you run out. Recharging ahead of important calls, meetings or travel saves you from being stranded without credit when you need it most.

Track your top-up history. Reviewing past purchases in the app helps you understand your monthly usage and plan your spending better.

Following these habits keeps your line active and makes every naira of airtime count.

Conclusion

Unused gift cards don’t have to go to waste. By trading them on a trusted platform, you can turn them into airtime that keeps you connected to family, work and opportunities. Cardgoal brings the whole process together, letting you sell your card, receive your balance and recharge any major network without leaving the app.

The extra rewards and simple telecom service make it a practical choice for students, workers and business owners alike. If you have a gift card lying around, now is the right time to put it to good use. Download Cardgoal, make your first trade and top up your line in minutes.

A fresh controversy has erupted over the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) after President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) attacked former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye over his claim about the student loan scheme.

The controversy began after Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that NELFUND provides students with only N20,000 annually instead of paying their school fees.

Melaye, in a video circulating online, criticised the Federal Government’s student loan initiative under President Tinubu, describing the scheme as a ‘haven of corruption.’

His comments triggered a strong reaction from NANS, which accused the former senator of misrepresenting the details of the programme.

The NANS president questioned Melaye’s credibility on education matters, asking what role he played for students while serving as a lawmaker.

‘Do people still take Melaye seriously? Melaye is a comedian, a jester,’ NANS said, while challenging him to disclose whether he provided scholarships or bursaries for students in his constituency during his time in the Senate.

The student body argued that discussions around education policies should be based on facts and proper understanding of the scheme rather than political attacks.

Backing the NANS position, Onanuga took the criticism further in a post on X, describing Melaye’s claim as false and questioning the basis of his statement.

‘NANS President delivers a stinging rebuke to Dino Melaye over his brazen lie that NELFUND gives students only N20,000 per year,’ Onanuga wrote.

He added: ‘You wonder what this former Senator and Atiku campaigner had smoked before going on TV.’

Melaye, a former senator and vocal critic of the Tinubu administration, has yet to publicly respond to Onanuga’s remark.

The clash comes amid ongoing political debates over the Federal Government’s student loan scheme, with supporters highlighting its role in expanding access to tertiary education while critics continue to question its implementation and impact.

The NELFUND programme was introduced by the Tinubu administration to provide financial support for eligible students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State on Wednesday inducted 89 Physiotherapists during its 4th Induction ceremony for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy class of 2026 at the institution’s auditorium.

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ýLecture on the theme of this year’s ceremony- Professionalism and Ethical Conduct in Physiotherapy – was delivered by the Keynote Speaker Prof Adesola Ojoawo, a professor of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

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ýThe vice chancellor of the Redeemer’s University, Prof Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, represented by vice chancellor, academic, Prof Chiagoziem Otuechere, said ‘This ceremony marks the successful completion of a rigorous academic and professional journey for our new doctors. And the theme of this ceremony, professionalism and ethical conduct in physiotherapy is both timely and significant. Professional competence alone is no longer sufficient in modern healthcare. Society expects healthcare professionals to demonstrate integrity, accountability and compassion and a very strong core business.’

He congratulated the inductees and urged them to strive for excellence and uphold the highest standards of the profession.

‘I want to congratulate you on this important milestone of your induction into the physiotherapy profession. I want to encourage you to strive for excellence and uphold the highest standards of your profession.

‘To the parents and guardians, we speak with great special tribute to your invaluable contributions. Behind every successful doctor here is a story of sacrifice and support. We really appreciate your confidence in our university and your commitment to the dreams and aspirations of these young professionals,’ the VC said.

He also commended the lecturers and staff of the department for their dedication and commitment to the vision of the university.

‘To the lectures and staff of the department of physiotherapy, I commend your dedication and sacrifices in training these young professionals. The college of graduates we celebrate today reflects your commitment and the university is grateful for your contributions,’ he said.

The keynote speaker, Prof Ojoawo explained to the audience the concept of professionalism and its ingredients.

‘When we talk of professionalism what are you talking about? Number one, it is important to set out behaviors, sentiments and standards that are expected of an individual in the workplace environment. Number one is confidence. You’re going to speak alone, that’s what we’re going to look at.

‘Number two is ethical behaviors. Number three, respect and stability. Number four, appearance and obligations,’ Ojoawo said.

He asked the inductees to invest in knowledge acquisition, buy books, attend seminars, attend conferences, be part of professional organisations, and open your mind up to your mind to learn something new every day.

He admonished them to be professional in the practice of their profession.

Awardees at the event are: Uhnmwahho Eghosa E. (Best graduating Student); Dauda Anjolaoluwa (Best in Research); Aderibigbe Oluwandabira A. (Best in Clinicals), and Ajala Adedoyin P. (Leadership).

ýOthers are Olutiola Bolanle D. (Best behaved male) and Oluwatayo Oluwadamilola (Best behaved female)

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ýAwards of Recognition were also given to the following outstanding personalities: The Keynote speaker Prof Adesola Ojoawo; the University’s Registrar, Prof Ahmad Rufai; CMD, UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, and Dr Segun Oluwafemi.

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ýMeritorious Award was also given to the Vice Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Prof Shadrach Olufemi Akindele

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address the nation at 7am on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary.

The planned national broadcast was announced on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, television and radio stations, as well as other electronic media outlets, are expected to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the address.

The broadcast will form part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary of independence.

The statement did not disclose the specific issues the President will address during the broadcast.

Nigeria became independent from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.

The University of Calabar (UniCal) has disowned one ‘Prof. Odong’ who has been allegedly defrauding students under the guise of helping them improve their examination results.

The university, in a statement by its Public Relations Unit, said its Security Department had established that there was no staff member known as Prof. Odong in its ICT unit.

According to the statement, the suspect, using telephone number 08144115929, allegedly contacts students, informs them that their examination results are poor, and demands money to assist them.

It said preliminary checks also indicated that the suspect operates from Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The management urged students to disregard any communication from the suspect.

Unical also warned them against disclosing personal or examination details or making payments to anyone claiming to have the ability to alter or facilitate their results.

‘Management has zero tolerance for all forms of unethical practice and would not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,’ the statement added.

The university urged students who had been contacted by the suspect to report the matter promptly to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students and safeguarding the integrity of its academic processes.

Lagos State governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat are amongst the dignitaries expected to attend the installation of Prince Tajudeen Olusi as Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land.

In a statement signed by the Secretary, Planning Committee Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, the Council of Islamic Preachers has concluded plans for the historic installation of Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi (OON) as the Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land.

According to him, the landmark event scheduled to take place on Saturday, 3rd October 2026, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos will bring together prominent Nigerians.

He said the ceremony will celebrate Islamic leadership, heritage, and unity across the Yoruba-speaking states, honoring Prince Olusi for his lifelong dedication to community development, political stability, and religious harmony.

”The occasion will feature an array of prominent leaders, top government officials, and traditional rulers. The Chief Host is the executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu . The Special guest of honour is the Deputy Governor of Lagos State Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat.

Other prominent Lagosians expected to grace the occasion are Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa who is the Chairman, Conference 57.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will step down from his cabinet position if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to secure victory in both the FCT and Rivers State in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during an engagement with leadership and members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja, Wike stated that his continued tenure as a cabinet minister is directly tied to his ability to deliver political results for the president in his primary areas of influence.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the minister, Lere Olayinka, the Minister announced that should the ruling party lose in the FCT and Rivers State at the presidential poll scheduled for January 16, 2027, he will formally tender his resignation the next day.

‘If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,’ Wike said, emphasizing that his political mandate requires concrete electoral success.

‘If I lose FCT, I’m not supposed to be FCT Minister. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT Minister should the President lose in Rivers State and the FCT,’ he added.

Outlining his political strategy for the territory, Wike revealed that the administration is building a multi-party coalition to secure victory across various elective offices in the FCT.

He explicitly endorsed candidates across legislative tiers while reiterating total support for the president’s re-election bid.

‘Let us be clear on direction: for the Presidency, it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu! For the Senate, Philip Aduda is a man of the people, unlike those who only appear on television. The two House of Representatives candidates we are supporting are also here. They are former Area Council chairmen.

‘In the FCT, we are running a unified coalition across parties to deliver results.

‘If I cannot deliver FCT as Minister, then I am not qualified to hold this office. We have a firm agreement, and today is the final affirmation,’ Wike said.

The Kaduna State Government has unveiled plans to deploy 120 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered articulated buses on a 24-kilometre Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to improve urban transportation and create thousands of jobs.

The project, which would be the first BRT system in the State, had reached the implementation stage after the completion of its planning and design, Acting Director-General of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), Inuwa Ibrahim, disclosed on Tuesday.

He also revealed that the scheme is expected to generate between 10,000 and 20,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities along the corridor.

‘We are expecting to have about 20,000 jobs just for this BRT corridor of just 24 kilometres,’ Ibrahim said.

According to him, the jobs would include opportunities for drivers, mechanics and other personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of the system.

He said the deployment of CNG-powered buses would also provide commuters with a more affordable and environmentally friendly transportation option.

Ibrahim described CNG as cheaper and cleaner than conventional fuel, saying its use would contribute to reducing emissions and improving the urban environment.

The proposed BRT system will include dedicated bus lanes, modern bus stops, shelters and terminals to facilitate faster and more efficient movement of commuters.

Also speaking, an advanced engineering consultant on the project, Idris Akinremi, said the BRT was designed to address traffic congestion by providing an efficient alternative to private transportation.

Akinremi said the availability of an efficient mass transit system would encourage motorists to reduce their dependence on private vehicles, thereby easing pressure on existing roads.

‘The project will discourage putting cars on the roads. This will reduce traffic on the road; once people see this, they will abandon their cars,’ he said.

He explained that the project was not primarily based on widening existing roads, noting that about 80 per cent of the proposed corridor would retain the existing carriageways.

According to him, BRT infrastructure will instead be incorporated into the existing road network to improve its efficiency.

Akinremi said technical and social assessments conducted during the planning process showed that extensive demolition of properties to create additional lanes in restricted areas would not be economically justified.

He said the project was being designed in accordance with international standards and best practices.

The consultant further explained that continuous expansion of roads alone could not provide a lasting solution to traffic congestion, as increased road capacity could eventually be filled by more private vehicles.

‘As I said, you don’t gain efficiency by just expanding roads because your roads will be filled to capacity,’ he said, citing Abuja as an example of a city where some wide roads still experience significant traffic congestion.

He said an effective mass transit system could transport large numbers of people without requiring a corresponding expansion of road space.

‘If you put a BRT there, 80 per cent of those people putting their vehicles on the road will park it without expanding the road. What do you have? Efficiency,’ he said.

Akinremi said the initial section of the Kaduna BRT corridor was projected to cover about 17 kilometres, subject to completion of the final design.

The officials said the overall project was expected to combine mass transportation, cleaner energy and employment opportunities as part of efforts to improve mobility and reduce congestion in Kaduna metropolis.

Covenant University, the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

The three institutions were jointly placed in the 801-1,000 global band in the ranking released by Times Higher Education on Wednesday, marking a change from the previous edition in which UI and UNILAG shared the highest Nigerian position while Covenant University ranked third nationally.

The latest ranking also showed a broader Nigerian presence in the global table, with 29 Nigerian universities included, compared with 24 in the 2026 edition.

Five institutions-Osun State University, University of Maiduguri, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, were newly ranked.

The increase means Nigeria had the largest number of ranked universities in sub-Saharan Africa in the 2027 edition, as the number of ranked institutions across the region rose from 55 to 69.

Although Covenant, UI and UNILAG share the same global band, their performance varied across the indicators used by THE.

The ranking assesses research-intensive universities across five broad areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. For the 2027 edition, THE assessed 2,297 institutions across 118 countries and territories, using 17 performance indicators distributed across the five pillars.

Among the three leading Nigerian universities, UNILAG recorded the highest research-quality score, with 67.8 points. UI recorded 64.9, while Covenant scored 49.8 in the same category.

In teaching, UI recorded 31.2 points, compared with 21.4 for Covenant and 21.2 for UNILAG. Covenant recorded 32.5 points for research environment, while UI scored 19.9 and UNILAG 20.8.

The ranking also identified different areas of strength among Nigerian institutions. Bayero University recorded the highest international-outlook score among Nigerian universities, while Covenant University had the country’s highest industry score.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Bayero University, Kano (BUK), followed the three leading institutions, with both placed in the 1,001-1,200 global band.

Landmark University and the University of Ilorin were also placed in the same 1,001-1,200 band.

Babcock University, Osun State University and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka were placed in the 1,201-1,400 band.

The Federal University of Technology, Minna and Nnamdi Azikiwe University were among institutions placed in the 1,401-1,600 band, alongside Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Benin, the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri.

Other Nigerian institutions appearing in the ranking include the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Lagos State University; Olabisi Onabanjo University; University of Calabar; Delta State University, Abraka; Ekiti State University; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Federal University Oye-Ekiti; Kwara State University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

At the global level, the University of Oxford retained the number-one position for the 11th consecutive year.

The University of Cape Town was the highest-ranked institution in sub-Saharan Africa, rising to joint 147th globally, from joint 164th in the previous edition.

The results come as Nigeria also moves to develop its own national tertiary-education ranking system. The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee, is working on a national ranking covering universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with completion targeted for December 2026.