News

FG Mulls N10m Entrepreneurial Grant For Corps Members

Published

2 years ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

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.

“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.

“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.

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.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.