Bandits have reportedly abducted the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attack occurred around 12:30am on Thursday when heavily armed assailants stormed the community, firing sporadically to instill fear among residents.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced that corps members will begin receiving ₦77,000 as their monthly allowance from February 2025.
Addressing the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream II corps members in Katsina State, Ahmed confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the increment, which has been factored into the 2025 budget.
“The Federal Government has already approved the increment of your allowance. It is no longer news; we have the approval in our hands. What we are waiting for is just the passage of the budget.
“This month (January) has already ended, but once the budget is passed, by next month (February), you will start receiving ₦77,000 instead of the usual ₦33,000,” Ahmed stated.
The NYSC DG urged corps members to maintain good conduct, emphasizing the importance of diligence, honesty, perseverance, and faith in God for a successful future.
He further advised them to respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities and quickly integrate after their orientation camp experiences.
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed has declared that corps members won’t be posted to communities experiencing security threats
The DG also declared that the Federal Government has approved payment of N77.000 camp allowances to corp members by February, 2025.
Ahmed spoke while addressing the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream 11 corps members in Katsina.
He said their allowances has been captured in the 2025 Federal Government’s budget.
According to him: ‘We will not send our corps members to wherever we have security challenges and threats.Wherever we send them they should be less assured that the place is safe and secured for them to serve
”This month (January) has already ended but once the budget is passed. By next month (February), you will start receiving N77,000 instead of the usual N33,000.
”The N77,000 monthly allowance was approved by the Federal Government and the corps members are expected to reciprocate the government’s gesture during their service year.”
He further emphasised NYSC’s commitment to the welfare and security of corps members across the country, assuring them that they will not be deployed to security threat communities for their service.
A total of 117 pioneer graduates from Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State, have been mobilized for national service by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Prof Abdulrahman Salawu, confirmed this development in a statement released over the weekend in Abuja.
The statement also conveyed the appreciation of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Council, Management, Staff, and Students to the visionary founder of CUSTECH, Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State.
The statement said: “This historic milestone marks a significant achievement for the young institution, as its first-ever graduates commence their national service, exemplifying the university’s dedication to producing globally competent graduates ready to serve the nation.
“His foresight and unwavering commitment to education led to the establishment of the university, which has rapidly grown into a beacon of academic excellence in less than five years of its existence.”
The university also expressed appreciation to Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, “for his steadfast support and dedication to the continued growth of the institution.”
It noted that Ododo’s administration has maintained a strong focus on education, ensuring that institutions like CUSTECH thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The statement added: “CUSTECH has made remarkable strides in expanding its academic offerings. In a span of four years, the academic programmes have increased from 11 to 56 programmes, an unprecedented development in the Nigerian University System.
“The courses are in Medical Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, etc), Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Computing, Law and other cutting-edge fields.
“This growth reflects the solid foundation laid by the founder, and the former Executive Governor, Alh Yahaya Bello and the strong support and unceasing commitment by the current Executive Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo. The monumental growth is a demonstration of the university’s commitment to addressing the critical needs of Nigeria’s economy and preparing students for leadership roles in these sectors. Availability of adequate facilities coupled with a conducive learning environment have greatly enhanced learning thereby enabling 14 of the graduates to obtain first degrees.”
The management of CUSTECH urged the pioneer graduates to be exemplary ambassadors of the university and make meaningful contributions during their service year.
It expressed confidence that these graduates would uphold the university’s values and showcase the quality education they have received.
“As the pioneer set embarks on this transformative journey, CUSTECH reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth,” the statement added.
At least one prospective member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was killed in a road accident in Ebonyi state on Wednesday.
The dead prospective corps member was among a group of 12 prospective corps members in a 14 seater bus involved in the accident.
Sources in the area said the corps members boarded the bus in Enugu on Wednesday and were heading to the NYSC orientation camp located in Afikpo town, Afikpo local government area for their three weeks oriental course.
They were believed to be prospective members of the 2024 Batch C Stream II set of corps members who resumed camp same day.
The Enugu North Mass Transit bus was said to have rammed into a parked truck beside the road.
The female corps member, whose name could not be ascertained, was said to have died from injuries while her colleagues and other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.
They were rescued by residents and security agencies from the mangled bus and rushed to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) where they are receiving treatment.
The source said: “Corps members had accident while going to NYSC camp. The accident happened at Amenu community in Okposi. A female corps member died.
“The bus is a 14 seater bus with 12 of them being corps members. Others sustained injuries”.
A source at the hospital confirmed that the accident victims were brought to the hospital.
“Yes I saw them in the evening. They were brought by and Security officials. They are responding to treatment”, they source said.
The Ebonyi state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Igwe Henry confirmed the accident.
He, however, said he has no details of casualties as the victims were rescued before his officers got to the scene.
He said: ” At the time our men from Amasiri Unit Command got the information, and got to the scene, the victims had been rescued. They didn’t directly carry out the rescue, and therefore could not ascertain specifics of what happened.
“However, the crash occurred on 22nd January about 14.00 hours. The route was Amasiri-Okiigwe, where they call Amenu village in Okposi.
“Two vehicles were involved, one was a Toyota commercial bus, grey color, and the other was a Mercedes-Benz tipper(truck), a commercial Mercedes-Benz tipper, the regular Tipper that you see around.
“So, from preliminary findings, it may have been caused by excessive speed on the part of the commercial vehicle, that is the bus.
“But the details as to the number injured and so on have not been ascertained, because like I said, the victims were actually rescued by bystanders and then taken to David Umahi Hospital in Uburu.
“And then the items recovered at the scene, I understand, is in the custody of one Chief Amos, of Amenu village in the same Oposi.
“At the King David’s Hospital, where my men went, the ones they saw were actually in stable condition”, he said.
Ebonyi State Coordinator of NYSC, Foluke Oladeinde also confirmed the accident.
Visibly in state of shock, Mrs Oladeinde could only confirm the accident but didn’t give further details.
“I am not in a right frame of mind to talk now. I am in the hospital now. Yes the accident occured but I can talk right now”, she said.
Full time HND graduates and their part-time National Diploma counterparts have expressed their grievances over the proposed exclusion of them from National Youths Service Corps scheme as the registration of second stream Batch C mobilisation began on Monday, January 6.
The graduates who stormed the NYSC secretariat in Lagos, on Monday held placards with the inscription ‘Say No To Discrimination in NYSC’, ‘Equal Right for all’ signalling their demand for mobilisation.
Speaking on their behalf, Majaro Temitope who finished his HND programme at Yaba College of Technology expressed fears over the proposed NYSC policy to exclude them for service, describing it as discrimination.
“Many of us here did ND part time and we switched to HND full time. We were told that there is a policy that many of us who did ND part time will be denied service while we know that many of us struggled with life during our ND.
“We just pray and hope that our peaceful protest will not be more than this because we asked some of our colleagues to wait behind us so that we can have a dialogue,” he said.
He added that concerned graduates have written to appropriate bodies to intervene but no response, calling on the Director-General, NYSC and minister for Education to come to their aid.
“We have written letters to the DG, JAMB before now, so we just plead with the Federal Government, the ministry of education to please help us look into this matter because it is not fair at all because you are judging my service by my ND.
“Please help us look into this policy and address this matter because the registration has started today and we have not even registered yet,” he said.
Adebola Osunfunrewa, a representative of the Education Rights Campaign described the proposed exclusion of HND graduates with part time National Diploma as the backwardness of the country’s education.
“This is another version of the fact that Nigeria’s education system is collapsing. How will you have over 3000 students begging to serve their fatherland in a country where we have teachers’ shortages,” he said.
The Deputy Registrar of Federal Polytechnic of Offa, Olayinka Iroye has begged Federal Government of Nigeria to lift restrictions placed on polytechnic students who did part-time during their Ordinary National Diploma(OND) to get mobilised for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Iroye in a statement on Saturday admonished FG through the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa to revisit the exclusion policy of the students from part-taking in NYSC.
He lamented that the policy shift has caused widespread disappointment and frustration for the students, their families, and the society at large.
According to him, I urge the Minister to address an urgent issue affecting many young Nigerians, the restriction on mobilization for the NYSC imposed on Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates from Nigerian Polytechnics who completed their National Diploma (ND) on a part-time basis but transitioned to full-time HND programme.
“Despite their dedication and academic compliance, these students now face exclusion from NYSC mobilization due to a recent policy shift.”
He noted that “This restriction has ignited a significant outcry across various platforms, with voices from scholars, media, student bodies such as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) all appealing for a review of this policy.
“The affected students, many of whom have waited nearly a year, find themselves ensnared by unanticipated policy changes. They deserve fair consideration, not penalization for following an educational path approved by the system itself.”
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), YD Ahmed, has praised the Plateau State Alumni of the 1987/88 set for organizing their reunion.
Represented by the Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, Ahmed spoke at the event themed “Together Again,” which took place on Saturday in Lagos.
He described the reunion as a celebration of enduring friendships and a reflection of patriotism, commending the group for their commitment to fostering unity and contributing to national development.
“I felicitate with this set. It is the fact that friendship is beautiful and profitable if there is a common goal. You are patriots. You want a better nation.
“Despite the major encumberances, you are back together. All Nigerians want a better nation and consequently means we are yet to see our best yet,” he said.
In her speech, the state coordinator, Mrs Salmwang urged them to continue being beacon of hope and remain united in their association.
She noted that Service is beyond serving one’s fatherland but to make lasting friendship.
The coordinator, therefore, beseeched parents to encourage their children to put in their best during service.
“Continue being beacon of hope in your respective association.
“Remain united in your pursuit for a better Nigeria. I wish you success in all your endeavors.
“Service is beyond serving your fatherland but to make lasting friendship.
“Let’s encourage our children to put in their best during service. We see some of them absconding,” she said.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the set, Seyi Oyesiku appreciated the creator of NYSC, noting that it has created unity and love across length and breadth of the nation.
He, therefore, urged members not to allow the spirit of togetherness to die.
In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, NYSC’s State Coordinator Onifade Olaoluwa said the state government’s action had nipped the matter in the bud and would prevent a recurrence.
A teacher reportedly assaulted a corps member serving at the Government Day Secondary School at Kulende in Ilorin for not greeting the teachers properly.
The corps member was reportedly beaten up and her NYSC shirt torn.
The state government, on Wednesday, announced the demotion of the teacher, identified as Hajia Hamzat Fatimoh Nike, by two steps and ordered her transfer from the school.
She was found guilty of assaulting the corps member.
Onifade said: “The actionable measure put in place by the Kwara State government would prevent future occurrences of such misdemeanour against corps members who are serving in the state.”
The state coordinator, who had described the action of the teacher as barbaric, added: “The apt action taken by the government has exhibited equity and further reiterated the position of government on security and welfare of corps members in the state.”
Expressing gratitude to the governor, the state coordinator said: “The management of NYSC appreciates the Governor AbdulRasaq Abdulrahman-led administration for its continued support for the scheme in the state.”
He assured the governor of uninterrupted delivery of the mandate of the scheme in the state.
Onifade urged all corps members in the state to remain law-abiding and maximise the period of the national service to contribute their quota to the state’s development.
Minister assures Corps members they will get N77,000 allowance soon
Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande has said the Federal Government will mandate its agencies and parastatals not to reject National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to them for their mandatory one-year national service.
He said the ministry would send a memorandum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the issue.
Olawande recalled that in a memorandum sent to the NYSC, the ministry had directed that there should be no barriers to the posting of the corps members, saying the ministry was aware of the rejection of corps members from some agencies and parastatals.
The minister spoke yesterday in Abuja when he was asked about the possibility of corps members being rejected by some government agencies, despite the Federal Government’s directive revoking the ban on corps members being posted to the private sector.
On November 19, the Federal Government lifted the ban restricting the posting of corps members to the public sector, allowing NYSC members to be posted to private sector organisations, including banks and oil and gas companies.
The lifting of the ban took effect in the Batch C, Stream I orientation which will start tomorrow.
Olawande said: “Let them post them first, then we would tackle the rejection. In part of the memorandum that we sent to the NYSC, we clearly stated that there is no barrier.
“Before now, there was a barrier that corps members could not be posted to this and that. Banks come and take them. If you don’t have experience in banking, how do you want to know that you are good at accounting or whatever? We should stop lying to ourselves. This is also part of how you should learn whatever you studied.
“Very soon, we are also going to send a memo to the President to tell any government parastatal and agency not to reject (NYSC members) anymore. It is a process; we can’t do everything at once. The one in our capacity, we have thrown it out. So, on the barrier, we are also waiting. I know about that too. We will work, and that is why teamwork is good.”
Commenting on the delay in the payment of the new N77,000 allowance to serving corps members, the minister said the implementation was a process and that the corps members would begin to receive the allowances “very soon”.
He added: “It is a process. When the government increases so and so, it would follow a process. We are in the process. Very soon, they will see it. It is not rocket science. It has been increased; nobody is saying it has not been increased. But the implementation is in progress. Very soon, we are at the tip of it. It is going to start, and we will implement it perfectly.”
