News

NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE…Policy Change Threatens HND Graduates’ Participation

Published

1 year ago

August 14, 2024

Some graduates of Higher National Diploma (HND) academic programmes across the country are at the risk of exclusion from the national service due to the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) latest policy of demanding Industrial Training (IT) certification for those seeking to fulfil their national service obligations.

NYSC, on its official Facebook handle, announced that HND graduates must provide evidence of completing their one-year mandatory IT certificate before being registered in their respective camps.

It stated, “Graduates of Higher National Diploma (HND) are to provide evidence of completion of their one-year Industrial Training in addition to ND and HND Certificates/Statement of Results.”

With this mandate, polytechnic and mono-technic graduates mobilised for Batch B stream II without evidence of the mandatory one-year industrial training will miss out on the national service.

The policy shift means that without a valid IT certificate, HND graduates cannot proceed with registration in the camp. Thus, many graduates now face the task of securing proof of their internship experience and risk missing participation in the next orientation camp, scheduled for August 28, 2024.

LEADERSHIP reports that the one-year mandatory IT programme is a prerequisite for admission to the HND programme, as stated in the law.

According to the law, graduates of polytechnics and monotechnics must undergo the one-year IT with evidence of completion before applying for a HND academic programme, and institutions must confirm this before admitting them.

Unfortunately, it was gathered that most of these HND awarding institutions do not confirm the IT-compliance before admitting students, thus graduating thousands of students who now face hurdles to participate in national service after being mobilised by the NYSC.

Our investigation further revealed that some polytechnic institutions have previously disregarded these regulations by enrolling students without the required one-year IT certificate.

Giving reason for its decision to enforce the law, the NYSC coordinator in Lagos State, Yetunde Baderinwa, said, “It has been noticed in recent times that some graduates of polytechnics and mono-technics do not observe the mandatory one-year IT before being admitted for HND programmes. The one-year IT is a prerequisite for HND.

“They must undergo the one-year IT with evidence of completion before going for HND, and institutions must confirm this before admitting them for HND.”

However, some affected HND graduates have called for leniency in their national service eligibility, pleading with the NYSC to intervene with their polytechnic institutions and allow them to serve the fatherland since they had already been mobilised for Batch B Stream II.

They argued that the institutions were to blame, as they admitted them without requiring the mandatory IT certificate, or alerting them to the need for it.

Some of them, who spoke with LEADERSHIP, expressed frustration that they do not have evidence of an IT certificate to proceed with registration when camps open this month.

A recent graduate from Kaduna State Polytechnic, who identified herself as Hauwa, said she was anxiously awaiting her national service posting after being mobilised by NYSC, until the recent pronouncement.

Hauwa faces a hurdle due to a new NYSC policy that mandates one year of industrial training certification for eligibility.

She said, “I’m excited to start my service, but I’m worried that I might not be screened (admitted) in camp due to this new requirement. My school did not let us know that we have to provide the mandatory IT certificate, and I fear this could disqualify me.

“I would like the Scheme (NYSC) to address this issue and find a way to accommodate those of us who this policy may have overlooked. It would be fair to work with our institutions to clarify our standing,” she said.

She stated that her schoolmates who were mobilised under Batch B Stream 1 were already in the service without any obstacles.

Hauwa’s case highlights a growing frustration among graduates caught between their enthusiasm for national service and the practical challenges of new regulations.

As the affected prospective corps members await further clarification on the issue, they hope for a resolution that considers their circumstances while the rule takes effect in subsequent years.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.