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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Cleric hails Buhari on N30,000 minimum wage

    Chairman of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide Rev Samuel Abidoye has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the new minimum wage bill of N30,000 into law.

    The cleric also cautioned market men and women in the country against cashing on the new minimum wage by increasing the prices of commodities.

    Rev. Abidoye said this in Galilee land Ilorin-Ogbomoso ahead of this year’s Cherubim and Seraphim’s Mount Horeb Week, adding that if traders increase the prices of commodities Nigeria would be returning to “square one.

    “I will appeal to all state governors to please pay this wage to their workers as at when due,” he said. “Let us remember the incoming administration which will be inaugurated in the next few weeks in almost all the states, the National and State Assemblies, and Presidency at the federal level.

    “Let us pray for them for God’s wisdom, knowledge, understanding and guidance. Our leaders in turn should not fail in their promises to the electorate during the campaign. They should fulfill their campaign promises. There should be developments in all strata of governance. “Masses should not be allowed to regret ever voting them into power. Governance should not be a winner takes it all syndrome.”

    On the current security challenges in the country, the 96-year-old clergyman said, “However, let us pray for the Church of God and His people, in this trying time. we should remember our dear Jerusalem Nigeria.

    “Let all men and women of God intercede on her behalf for peace to reign in all regions of the Land. These killings, kidnappings and arson are becoming too many.  Let parents take care of their homes, teach the youths good virtues of life.

    “Do not allow the run for wealth to dissuade you from your responsibility as parents as you will account before the Lord.  The rate at which our youth get involved in social vices, is very

    appalling.

    “These are leaders of tomorrow, If they continue like this, whither the future of our dear Nation?

    “ I am using this medium in also to appeal to Mr. President to do all the needful to ensure the release of the remaining Chibok and Dapchi girls in captivity of Boko Haram particularly Leah Sharibu.”

  • APC, Buhari desperate to remain in power, says PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari of desperation to cling to power at all costs.

    According to the main opposition party, Buhari and his APC desperately want to continue to exploit Nigerians, protect the ruling party’s corrupt leaders, cover their incompetence and conceal the humongous sleaze in the administration.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this is why APC and “the cabal” at the Presidency resorted to violence, intimidation as well as manipulation and alteration of results at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rig the presidential election.

    The PDP also accused certain APC chieftains and presidential aides of making desperate efforts to distract the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal and derail the course of justice by making and promoting baseless judicial interpretations and externalising proceedings of the court.

    The statement said: “The President Buhari-led APC administration wants to remain in power to prevent investigation into the N14 trillion allegedly stolen under its watch; including the N9 trillion stolen from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, as detailed in the leaked Nigerian National Petrolum Corporation (NNPC)  memo; the over N1.4 trillion alleged oil subsidy sleaze and the N1.1 trillion worth of crude diverted using 18 unregistered companies linked to APC interests.

    “This is in addition to the N33billion National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) fund, and the over N18 billion stolen out of the N48 billion approved by the National Assembly in the 2017 budget for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced persons in the Northeast, among others.

    “Furthermore, the Buhari-led APC administration is desperate to avoid an investigation into its unwholesome borrowings that led to the escalation of our nation’s debt stock from N12.12 trillion in 2015 to an overburdening N24.39 trillion in 2018.

    Read also: APC disputes Atiku’s claim on being Nigerian by birth

    “Within a space of three years, this administration has borrowed a total of N12.27 trillion, yet it cannot point to any significant development project into which the money was invested. This includes the N2.66 trillion borrowed in 2018, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “These and many more are funds meant for infrastructural development and welfare of Nigerians but which have been cornered by APC leaders”

    The opposition party insisted that the Buhari Presidency lacked the competence and integrity to run a creative, transparent and credible administration that can guarantee economic growth, wealth creation and a dependable system.

    “The negative effect is the further dipping of our economy, as investor’s confidence, which shored up at the expressed resolve by Nigerians to elect  Atiku Abubakar as their next President,  slumped with the rigging of the presidential election”, the PDP added.

    The party urged Nigerians not to despair but to continue to be steadfast in the aspiration for the recovery of the “stolen” presidential mandate at the tribunal.

    According to the PDP, that is the only way to return the nation to the path of peace, national unity and a vibrant economy.

  • Buhari tasks varsity administrators on frugality

    As part of his anti-corruption drive, President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked university administrators across the nation to ensure “frugality” in their use of available resources.

    President Buhari’s who was visitor at the second convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta state, held weekend, explained that following the frugal policy of his administration will help prevent waste and allow fruitful use of the meagre funds made available for institutions.

    The president, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Onwuka also directed the release of the varsity’s take-off grant.

    Emphasizing that government will not tolerate any form of corruption, he said, “I admonish university administrators across the country to imbibe our policy of frugality in order to avoid wastages and manager fest of corruption.

    “I therefore sound this warning that we will not condone corruption in whatever guise. The very scarce resources that are made available must be judiciously utilized to give value to the system.”

    Further challenging FUPRE to be innovative and take the lead in technological revolution in Nigeria, the president said, “no doubt, energy is critical to nation building and also a major challenge to our nation at this time.

    “Nigeria has continued to be a net importer of refined Petroleum products in addition to its poor levels of electricity generation. I task the university and other agencies to rise and surmount these daunting challenges through the establishment of modular refineries and sustainable power generation to take this country to the next level.”

    Commending the varsity’s management for the recorded achievements in the past two years despite the “paucity of funds,” Chancellor of the University and Emir of Zamfara, HRH Attahiru Ahmad, assured of his continuous support to ensure the training of high level manpower for the petroleum industry.

    Read Also: APC Coalition petitions Buhari,Tinubu

    He commended the host monarch, Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, and the Delta state government for their peaceful disposition and support towards the school.

    On his part, the Pro-chancellor, Professor Shehu Zuru, in his address appealed to the federal government, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to support the varsity.

    Noting that the council is committed to taking the institution to its ‘next level’, he stated that a “deliberate funding policy” through implementation of all sections of the University Establishment Act is “urgently” required to propel the needed growth and development of FUPRE.

    The vice Chancellor of FUPRE, Professor Akii Ibhadode has charged the federal government to saddle universities with relevant tasks in its development plans.

    In his address which was presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof (Mrs.) Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, he explained that such tasks, as peculiar to the varsities, will enable them contribute “to national development, in real terms, thus creating wealth and employment for the nation, export of Nigerian technology,” among other benefits.

    Congratulating the graduands, the VC urged them to “develop other potentials” and continue to seek opportunities to better the society and humanity.

    Two personalities Hon. Prince Chinedu Nwoko and Mr. Abiola Oyedotun bagged honorary doctorate degrees, the former announcing a N1 million naira go ft to students graduating with first class honours.

    However, the best graduating student, Abel Okojunu, from the Department of Mathematics, made a 4.95 GPA and was among three others who were recipients of the vice chancellor’s prize.

     

  • Security Challenges: Our Military doing a good Job, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday said the Nigerian Military has the capability and wherewithal to overcome the current security challenges across the country, asserting that they have in recent times been very busy doing a good job of confronting the security challenges.

    He also said the Present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari decided to reposition the armed forces to cope with the challenges of security threats by modernising, re-equipping and retraining military personnel.

    The Vice President made the remarks at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on the occasion of the Nigerian Air Force Research and Development Competition and Exhibition which was part of activities outlined to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF.

    Vice President Osinbajo lauded the NAF for partnering with other reputable institutions across the country to make huge investments in Research and Development, noting that with time the Air Force would establish its footprints on global stage.

    The Vice President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said: “The Nigerian Armed forces have in recent times been very busy doing a good job of confronting our Nation’s current multifaceted internal security challenges. In a bid to reposition the Armed Forces to better cope with those challenges, our administration has made the modernization, re-equipping and continuous training of the Nigerian Armed Forces a top priority.

    “There is no doubt that the resources required to realize the full potentials of the Armed Forces are limited in view of the competing demands from other sectors. Nevertheless, the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to do its best to sustain the current tempo of development.

    “It has become more important than ever before that we really look inwards and gradually wean ourselves of overdependence on foreign technology and become more innovative in the use of local resources.

    Read Also: Osinbajo expresses confidence in NDIC new board

    “It is in view of the foregoing that I want to specially commend the Nigerian Air Force for the efforts being made at harnessing the available research and development potentials, especially in the military aviation sector”.

    The Vice President therefore called on all stakeholders to embark on fruitful collaborations and joint partnerships to fund more research and development activities in the country.

    In his address, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said the NAF priortised Research and Development activities with home grown technology as the basis to actualise his vision for effective and truly professional Air Force.

    He said: “Globally, it is acknowledged that Research and Development has proven to be the catalyst for technological and industrial advancement. There is also a consensus among scholars that national development can best be enhanced through indigenous research and development efforts.

    “Recognising these facts and realising that the effectiveness and sustainability of the Nigerian Air Force, in the long term, would be largely influenced by the growth of home-based technology, the Service has placed emphasis on Research and Development as a means of building indigenous technological capacity.

    “It is gratifying to note that our strategy fits into the focus of the Federal Government which places emphasis in promoting local content, home-grown technology and innovation as principal means of improving the Nation’s foreign exchange earnings”.

  • N’Delta Devt: NDDC urges stakeholders to shift from political colouration

    To ensure effective and sustainable developments across the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has called for a shift from “political coluration” of the organisation.

    Speaking at the 2019 NDDC stakeholders forum for Delta state in Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state, the state Co-ordinator, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has given directive to facilitate payment of arrears amounting to N1.8 trillion owed the commission by the federal government.

    According to him, this is part of the administration’s commitment to ensure lasting peace and development in the oil-rich region.

    He streesed that stakeholders seeing the commission as affiliated to political parties has led to disruption of several projects that should have benefited the people of the area.

    “The idea that the NDDC flourishes now and the glory belongs to APC is wrong. The people who belong to the party are a tiny minority of the populace. If you are in power and say the NDDC should be sabotaged, then our people will be sabotaged. Let us reexamine this political colouration,” Dr. Ifowodo said

    Read Also: NDDC director becomes ICAD fellow

    Highlighting some issues that have caused setbacks for the commission since inception in 2001, he explained that “avoidable competition” with state governments, the NDDC’s subjection to many masters among other reasons, have led it to stray from its core mandate.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof Nelson Brambraiyefa, said there was need for all “to woo investors back” to Niger Delta.

    Noting that the theme of the programme ‘Peace as a panacea for sustainable development in the Niger Delta’ is apt considering the challenges facing the commission, he revealed that the “Governors’ Advisory Committee” will be reactivated to promote collaboration with governments.

    The meeting had three plenaries presented by Col. Wilson Ijide (Rtd), lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Dr. Philip Esavwede, Faculty of Law lecturer, Delta State University and Dr. Omonigho Otanocha, MD FUPRE Energy Solution Limited, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, respectively.

    Stakeholders at the forum include security personnel such as Air Commodore Augustine Vonumbagai, Commander 37I Nigeria Air force Detachment Warrior, Col. MHB Many, Commander Sector 1, Operation Delta Safe (represented).

    Also present were representatives of the Ovie of Uvwie, Olu of Warri among other traditional heads and community leaders and stakeholders.

  • Buhari committed to ensuring availability of agricultural produce -Minister

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration was committed to ensuring increase in the production of agricultural produce.

    Chief Ogbe speaking during the opening ceremony of the council’s meeting at the 43rd National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development conference in Umuahia, Abia State also posited that the Buhari led government was working assiduously to reduce food importation, stating that the incumbent APC led government was equally working to implement programmes that promote food safety and security among others.

    The minister who identified agriculture as the highest employer of labour used the opportunity of the event to call for synergy among states to boost productivity and ensure food security in Nigeria.

    Ogbe represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Mohammed

    Bello Umar further charged stakeholders to recommit themselves to the development of the agriculture sector, adding that it was key to jobs creation and good health.

    Speaking on this year’s theme: “Consolidating the Strategies of Agricultural Promotion Policy for Economic Diversification and Growth”, Ogbe maintained that the Federal Government was committed to making the country an agriculture export hub.

    He opined that there is a need for the council meeting to focus on providing a policy direction that would yield improved enabling environment for investors, attainment of food security and sustainable livelihood in Nigeria.

    In his speech, the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu appealed to participants to not only discuss, but to evolve best policies and programmes on agriculture from various perspectives.

    Adamu, who was represented by Mrs. Christy Odua of the Ministry, said that the ministry of water resources would continually collaborate with the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to promote food sufficiency.

    He expressed hope that the outcome of the council meeting would make a positive impact on the socio-economic growth of the country.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Prince Tony Momoh at 80

    The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, revealed that the Federal Government was focusing on utilising agribusiness undertakings to improve socio-economic development in the country.

    Lokpobiri, who was represented by Mr. Azeez Muyiwa, said that the Federal Government was focused on implementing programmes and policies that would encourage economic growth.

    Muyiwa said that the meeting would endeavour to satisfy the Federal Government’s yearning to grow agriculture, diversify the economy, ensure food security and empower the citizenry.

    Meanwhile the Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said that diversifying the economy of the country from Omono – economy by growing the Agric sector remained the future for the nation’s economy and businesses.

    Dr. Ikpeazu pointed out that with the unabated fluctuations in crude Oil prices globally calls urgent need for seriousness in the diversification of the economy to optimise value and benefits from the agricultural value chain.

    Ikpeazu, represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu advised that the various federal government agricultural financed programmes such as CBN Anchor Borrowers programme should be made less cumbersome to give the real farmers access to funding while banks, stating that financial institutions should continue to extend credit facilities to operators in the Agro – Allied Industry ranging from Oil palm production and processing , Cocoa production and procession , Rice production among others for local consumption and export thereby earning foreign exchange for the nation.

    Okochukwu further disclosed that the present administration under Ikpeazu led leadership was committed to transforming the state into an industrial / economic destination with the agricultural sector playing a pivotal role through massive support for Oil palm, Cassava, Rice and poultry value chain among others govt adopted Agriculture as one of its cardinal policy pillars to grow and drive the Abia economy.

    The governor expressed government’s determination to continue partnering the World Bank and federal govt and other agencies in all agricultural projects through prompt payment of counterpart contributions.

    He described the theme of the event as very apt and timely given its emphasis on the attainment of food security, employment generation and wealth creation in the states and nation at large.

    Contributing, Senator Theodore Orji, representing Abia Central and the deputy chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture said that the deliberations of the council would make a positive impact on the nation if well implemented.

    Orji also challenged the council to come up with policies that will permanently end herders/farmers clash and their attendant crises in Nigeria.

    The Country Representative of Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN in Nigeria, Mr. Suffyan Koroma commended the Federal Government for its achievements in the agriculture sector in the last four years.

    Koroma, who was represented by Dr Ahmed Matani called on the Federal Government to create greater alignment with the states to domesticate the Agricultural Promotion Policy.

  • FG begins rehabilitation of 104 unity schools

    The Federal Government has begun the renovation and rehabilitation of 104 unity colleges in the country, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has said.

    He said the rehabilitation exercise include replacement of broken toilets, ceilings, creation of additional classrooms and the renovation of existing ones.

    The minister said the renovation, directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, is aimed at expanding access to education in the country.

    He stated this during the monitoring of  2019 common entrance examination organised by the National Examination Council, in Abuja, on Saturday.

    The minister said about 25, 000 students would be given admission into the colleges nationwide.

    Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sonny Echono, disclosed that the government had already begun recruitment of teachers to carter for the new intake next term.

    He said: “We have a challenge of access to education in this country, as part of our interventions to ensure that we bring more children into the school system and reduce the number of kids who are out-of-school, we are having so many programmes. One of it is to increase the spaces available in our unity colleges.

    “You are aware that each time we do this there are other consequential interventions that are needed. You need to have additional classrooms; you need to have additional teachers.

    “We are pleased that Mr. President graciously approved that we should begin to rehabilitate many of these unity colleges. Besides the security infrastructure, we are now providing both new classrooms and as well as rehabilitating the dilapidated ones and we are also dealing with the libraries, laboratories and so on.

    Read Also: Fear grips Ondo Community over ritual killings

    “We are recruiting additional teachers for the unity schools as we speak. Both the regularisation of PTA teachers and new recruitment are ongoing at the Federal Civil Service Commission as we speak and they will come in early enough for them to be inducted, trained, given some kind of preparation ahead of the opening of the schools next term.”

    He said the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has already approved four interventions in some unity schools in Abuja.

    The minister explained that the intervention is to rehabilitate broken toilets, ceilings and classrooms to compliment what the ministry of education is doing.

    “We hope that in the next few years, all those schools will be returned to their glory days,” he added.

    NECO’s Acting Registrar, Abubakar Gana, said 75, 635 candidates sat for the examination on Saturday in 457 centres nationwide, including one centre in Port Novo, Benin Republic.

    Gana said that the results of the examination will be released on Wednesday by the agency through the ministry of education.

    He urged parents to check NECO’s website for the released results.

    Lagos state had the highest number of registered candidates with 23, 459 while Zamfara had the lowest with 59 candidates.

    “The results are expected to be released by NECO to the Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday 1st May 2019 after which the ministry would direct NECO to release it to the public after the selection exercise.

    “Candidates are to check the status of their admission both at the various Federal Unity Colleges and online via NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng as soon as the release of the results is announced,” the ministry added in a statement.

  • Anambra NLC gets new leader, cautions some Govs on minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in Anambra State, has a new Chairman in the person of Comrade Jerry Nnubia.

    He was unanimously elected at the weekend in Awka ,during the NLC’s delegate conference,  where he cautioned some Governors on the implementation of the new minimum wage .

    Nnubia, called on the Governors in the country to cut down on their spending  to enable them pay the new minimum wage, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari recently

    He said he prayed that some of the Governors would not do anything capable of causing unrest among the workers going by their body language on the new minimum wage.

    Nnubia said full implementation of the 30,000 naira minimum across the country would ensure stability in the polity.

    According to the labour leader, “The minimum wage is a product of negotiation and with the President signing it into law, we are looking out for a circular to be released and each state is bound to implement it”

    “The state governments have no option than to implement it because they were part and parcel of all the negotiations”

    Read Also: Minimum Wage: NLC, TUC laud Buhari

    “For us in Anambra State, we have the firm belief that our governor will implement it fully. He has promised us and I am sure we are not going to have challenges in that regard”

    “We commend the national assembly for the speedy passage of the new national minimum wage (2019) amendment bill and also President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to it on April 18, 2019″

    “We therefore wish to use this platform to call on the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, NSIWC, to immediately issue out the implementation table to enable our hardworking and labour friendly governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who has already firmly promised to be the first governor to pay the new minimum wage for the hardworking workers of Anambra State, implement the new minimum wage.”

    Furthermore, he spoke on the agitations on labour issues that led to the setting up of a committee headed by the state deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

    He regretted that although the committee had since concluded its assignment and submitted its report to the governor, no action had been taken to date.

     

  • APC Coalition petitions Buhari,Tinubu

    A coalition of Ondo state All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth and Women in politics have expressed concern over alleged act of indiscipline within the party in the state.

    The coalition had petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and the National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on their findings about the affairs of the party in the state.

    The petition was signed by the coalition’s chairman, Ogunleye Odunayo and secretary, Mrs Yakubu Oluremi who strongly believed that the National leadership of the party must be aware of how Ondo APC leaders allegedly mobilized attack and used state ,local government machinery and the party’s resources to support their political allies who contested under the platform of Action Alliance (AA).

    According to the petition “It will interest you to know that agents of Ondo State Government masterminded the petition against the emergence of the only APC Senate elect in Ondo State at the election tribunal for the state.

    “A petition had been filed before the tribunal for the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) against the Independent National Electoral Commission and Senator Ajayi Boroffice, the only APC senator elect from Ondo State by the agents of the state government and the ruling party under Mr Ade Adetimehin

    “It was a rude shock for us to hear that one of the lawyers used by them is the biological son of the AA candidate, Tunji Abayomi, who was sponsored by the state government”.

    The coalition therefore appealed to President Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu to use their good offices and to dissolve the present state executives of Ondo State APC,stressing that over 85 percent of party members had been sidelined from the party for working against AA candidates.

    Read Also: APC tackles PDP over claim on INEC server

    The APC leaders according to the Coalition openly campaigned for AA candidates and directed members not to vote for APC candidates.

    It noted that the sample of AA ballot papers were freely distributed to APC members to educate them on how to vote for AA candidates which eventually led to the failure of President Buhari in Ondo State.

    The statement further alleged that in the eve of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the APC mobilization funds given to the party was released to AA party leaders and candidates on the order from above.

    It said “We from 48 APC youth and women groups met in Akure, the state capital to protest the anti-party activities of the APC leaders in Ondo state and jointly agreed to write you about the danger in keeping the present party executives in the state under Adetimehin.

  • Buhari offers employment, scholarships to 168 ex-corps members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presented awards to 168 ex-corps members at the combined 2015/2016/2017 President’s NYSC Honours Award held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, also announced automatic employment to the awardees in the Federal Civil Service and scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian universities.

    Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who created the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973, was also in attendance.

    15 ex-corps members who suffered disability during their service year were also recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

    There was also the National Council for Women Affairs Award to three best female awardees.

    The President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 to encourage corps members to contribute to the overall national development by embarking on community development projects.

    Buhari said that it was the exceptional individuals in society who were the true builders of institutions and nations.

    According to him, the vision, innovation and hard work of one person is sufficient to make a difference in the life of a community or a nation.

    The president said that enduring individual success was a function of courage and resilience, adding that he was challenged by the remarkable courage of the Corp members who suffered various accidents while in service.

    Read Also: Corps members renounce cultism, drug abuse

    “The fact that they have gone through these harrowing personal injuries and are still determined to engage the future with hope and confidence is proof that they will still experience the joys of great success and fulfillment.

    “To all of today’s honorees, let me make it clear that you are not just the future of this country, but also its present.

    “You must all see yourselves as the leaders that you are; but leadership comes with responsibilities and continuous sacrifice.

    “The successes you have achieved and are being rewarded for today, should inspire you to even greater feats, in your various spheres of influence.

    “I therefore charge you all to continue to be the light for others to follow, whilst also seeing yourselves as lifelong ambassadors of the NYSC.

    “In line with our policy of encouraging and rewarding excellence among our youth, I hereby announce the immediate employment into the Federal Civil Service of all the Award winners and beneficiaries of the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.

    “In addition, the Federal Government hereby offers each of you automatic scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian University of your choice,” he said.

    In his address, Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said that nothing motivated young people than rewards for their contributions no matter how small.

    He said that the Federal Government would continue to reward hard work and devotion to duty among Nigerian youths.

    On his part, the outgoing Director-General of NYSC Maj.-Gen Suleman Kazaure, said the award aimed at encouraging high ideals and patriotism through selfless and dedicated service to fatherland.

    Kazaure said the award was recognition of teamwork, honesty, loyalty, devotion to duty and creativity.

    “Though the young men and women being honoured today were the most outstanding in performance, I am proud to report that corps members deployed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 service years generally contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of our dear country.

    “Their performances in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure were applauded by all Nigerians.

    “In the areas of Community Development Service, successive batches of corps members have been adding value to communities throughout the federation with various projects.

    “These include construction and renovation of schools and hospitals as well as provision of potable water,” he said.

    One of the awardees, Nelson Nnamdi, in an interview, said he felt great and was giving God the glory.

    He said he learnt the act of service to humanity and to the nation during his service year.

    “When I was serving, I did the Virtually Impaired Electronic Working Guide; it is for the blind.

    “When I executed the project in the school of the blind in Izzi, Ebonyi State, the project went far; in fact the joy in the heart of those young blind students gives me joy.

    “My advice to servicing corps members; if you identify a special need in the place you are serving, you should try to make an impact and leave the rest to God; in the right time, God will reward you as he has rewarded me today,” he said.

    NAN