The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulamlik Sarkindaji, has stopped the planned hosting of the wedding of 100 orphan girls in his constituency, saying he would not grace the occasion.

Sarkindaji took the decision following the action of the Women Affairs Minister, Uju Ohannaya, who dragged the Speaker to court to halt the wedding.

The Speaker made this known on Tuesday during a media briefing in which he said the minister had overstepped her bounds.

He said the minister should take over the sponsorship of the wedding ceremony.

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The Speaker disclosed that he had already made funds available to the girls’ parents through the traditional leaders and clerics of his constituency, noting that he would not withdraw the funds.

Abdulmalik also pointed out that his motive for wanting to sponsor the wedding was the state of poverty of the girls’ parents and not the constituency project, as reported in the media.

Details later…

Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources gave a light-hearted response after residents complained to him about couples moaning loudly and disturbing neighbours.

The X users who made the complaint did so in jest.

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An X user wrote: “It’s actually a wicked act for neighbours to be moaning loud at midnight, especially on Mondays.

“I think it’s about time we addressed this issue in the estate WhatsApp group.”

The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, has announced plans to begin reformation and restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme.

The Minister also stated that over 5,000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with about N10 million and that a team to spearhead the review, restructuring, and reformation would be inaugurated soon.

Bio-Ibrahim made the statement at the opening ceremony of the maiden meeting of NYSC management with heads of Corps-Producing Institutions in Nigeria, in Abuja on Monday.

“Permit me to inform us very briefly on what is to come regarding NYSC reforms. I am pleased to announce that I will be inaugurating a team to undertake the review, restructuring, and reforms of the NYSC.

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“The first of these reforms will be centred on reviewing participants with an entrepreneurship mindset and making skills development a core of the programme.”

The Minister explained that that over 5,000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with close to N10 million, and that the vision was not only to have a self-sustaining scheme but also a revenue-generating programme within the next five years.

“The NYSC already does that but the objective is to work with them to strengthen that mandate that they already have to be more efficient, effective, and beneficiary.

“So we envision a future where the NYSC programmes are not only self-sustained but also a revenue-generating programme within the next five years and to achieve this, we will institutionalise the NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit.

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“Furthermore, as part of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund programme for 2024, I’m also pleased to announce that at least 5,000 corps members will have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with up to N10 million passing out.”

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau’ Ahmed, while welcoming the heads of CPIs, said the meeting was aimed at enhancing the mobilisation process of prospective corps members, as well as evolving strategies for eliminating identified flaws and ensuring a more seamless mobilisation process.

“We have identified some obstacles, including the delegation of roles to subordinates, and we believe that the direct involvement of chief executives of institutions will promote a deeper appreciation of issues and ensure desired results,” Ahmed said.

He reiterated that the NYSC was committed to the security and general welfare of corps members, and appealed to CPIs, parents, and the general public to complement efforts in sensitising young graduates on call-up for national service.

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary of Women Affairs Secretariat in the FCT Administration, Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, commended the decision of the NYSC to invite critical stakeholders to brainstorm strategies for greater success, and for achieving desired results.

He praised the NYSC’s commitment to national development and integration while acknowledging the challenges faced by the Scheme.

“The NYSC has consistently symbolised our collective commitment to national development, unity, and integration. However, like any other human endeavour, we are aware that the Scheme faces challenges, including those posed by the mobilisation process.

“In this regard, the need for the adoption of innovative strategies to surmount challenges and enhance best practices for the engagement of our young graduates in national development efforts cannot be overemphasised,” he added.