News

Over 35,000 Nigerians Apply For 27,000 RHEI Job Slots Within 24 Hours

Published

3 weeks ago

August 2, 2025

Barely 24 hours after the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) opened its portal for the second phase of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), a staggering 35,819 unemployed Nigerians aged between 18 and 45 have already applied for the 27,000 available training and job slots.

The overwhelming response underscores the scale of youth unemployment and the eagerness of Nigerians to acquire skills that can secure them sustainable livelihoods.

The Director-General of NDE, Mr. Silas Agara, officially launched the digital portal for the initiative’s second phase on Monday 11 July. He said the rapid registration is a strong signal that the initiative is both timely and relevant to the realities facing Nigerians, especially the youth.

“In a determined effort to tackle youth unemployment and equip Nigerians with viable, state-relevant skills, we officially unveiled the registration portal for Phase Two of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative,” Mr. Agara stated.

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He emphasised that this second phase has undergone significant improvements and is fully digital. “After the first phase of RHEI, we went back to work for the second phase. Our directors tirelessly worked round the clock to ensure that this second phase is very robust and good. This time around our programme will be entirely digital,” he declared.

To ensure seamless operation across the country, the NDE has deployed extensive infrastructure upgrades. According to Agara, robust software and hardware, including internet facilities, have been installed in all 37 states of the Federation, including the FCT.

“As we speak today, we have robustly provided software and hardware, as well as internet facilities to all the 37 States of the Federation including FCT, so that they can link to the NDE Headquarters for the implementation of this second phase and help us achieve a hundred percent digital success. These facilities are made available even in all our six zonal offices,” he explained.

Mr. Agara stressed that registration must be done online and that only applicants who register within the two-week window will be considered. He also highlighted the importance of transparency, saying, “Nobody will be allowed to import any name into the system. So it is only those that have applied within the stipulated time that shall be processed and considered.”

A major eligibility requirement is the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), which is now mandatory for all NDE programmes. Mr. Agara further clarified that a person’s state of residence, not state of origin, is the determining factor for eligibility.

“Part of the guidelines to key into RHEI, which is very critical, is that all participants must register with their NIN. It is a mandatory requirement in all our programmes and activities today. And in this programme, the state of residence of beneficiaries is what matters, not state of origin. You are eligible to apply once you are a Nigerian and resident in any of the states of the Federation. The age bracket this time around is from 18 to 45 years,” he said.

Participants selected for this phase will undergo training in over 30 vocational and digital skills tailored to the economic needs of their respective states.

“Beneficiaries will be engaged in over 30 different skills. The skill sets vary from state to state. What is applicable to Abia may not be in Adamawa. We planned it in such a way that state-based skills—that is, certain skills that are very lucrative in specific states are considered,” he noted.

The online registration, which commenced on Monday, July 28, 2025, will close on Monday, August 11. Application processing is slated for August 12 to August 22.

Mr. Agara also issued a stern warning against fraudsters attempting to exploit the initiative. He appealed to both the media and the general public to help in exposing scammers and ensuring that applicants rely solely on official NDE channels.

“I want to plead with the members of the press to help us educate the public. Because even before we opened this website, we saw and noticed scammers are already out there deceiving members of the public. Some are asking for financial gratification and different kinds of requirements that are not what we in NDE require from participants,” he cautioned.

“We want to plead with the general public to be watchful. No staff of NDE will ask for any gratification from any members of the public. We have not commissioned anybody in any capacity to act on behalf of NDE. Solely, it is the responsibility of NDE Headquarters and state offices to manage this programme. Where any member of the public is confused about any information, such a person should contact our Headquarters, zonal or state offices for clarification. We have job centres in all 37 states of the Federation including FCT,” Mr. Agara added.

News

Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations

Published

10 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Oseloka Obi, son of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has responded to viral allegations linking him to homosexuality after photographs of him with London-based British-Nigerian Kent Okwesa, circulated online this week.

The pictures, which emerged on Wednesday, showed Oseloka and Okwesa sitting closely at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, sparking a wave of online speculation and gossip.

In a detailed statement, Oseloka dismissed the rumours as malicious falsehoods driven by his father’s involvement in Nigerian politics.

He noted that while he rarely responds to such narratives, the persistence of gossip and unfounded claims made it necessary to address the matter.

“Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me.

“I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.

Oseloka stressed that the photos of him in circulation were being misrepresented, insisting they were ordinary snapshots with friends and colleagues.

“The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies,” he added.

He further emphasised that neither he nor his father is perfect, but attested to his father’s integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s future.

“My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”

Concluding, Oseloka urged Nigerians to redirect their attention from idle gossip to the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.

Read the full statement below:

News

FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans

Published

11 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has barred seven Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) from processing applications under the pension-backed equity contribution scheme for residential mortgages, citing their non-compliance with housing loan guidelines.

In a letter published on PenCom’s website, addressed to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), the organisation instructed them to immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted through the affected institutions.

The blacklisted mortgage banks are:

• Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited

• FHA Mortgage Bank Limited

• Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited

• AG Mortgage Bank Limited

• Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Pic

• First Trust Mortgage Bank Limited

• Mutual Alliance Mortgage Bank Limited

“Following the cited letter, the commission instructs that PFAs, including Closed Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians, immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted by the following Primary Mortgage Banks… Please be guided,” the circular read in part.

Explaining the decision, PenCom’s spokesman, Ibrahim Buwai, told The PUNCH that the sanction was imposed because the affected institutions failed to generate the mortgages for which funds had been approved.

“The whole purpose of giving access to RSA holders is to enable them to own houses through mortgages,” he said. “It was discovered that some of the primary mortgage institutions were not generating mortgages. If that is the case, it means they are not complying with the regulations. That is the reason for their blacklisting.”

PenCom introduced the equity contribution for residential mortgages in September 2022, allowing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to withdraw up to 25 per cent of their balances to fund equity contributions for home ownership.

According to the commission, 24,582 RSA holders had accessed the scheme as of the first quarter of 2025, with disbursements totalling ₦149.84bn.

RSA holders who submitted applications through the barred mortgage banks are now advised to reapply with other eligible PMBs. Those who have made upfront payments were urged to contact the affected institutions for the next line of action.

News

VIDEO: How ‘Close Friend’ Leaked Cat Secret To Security During My House Invasion — Sunday Igboho

Published

12 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has opened up again on the July 1, 2021 midnight invasion of his Ibadan residence by security operatives, including the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, at his palace in Ondo State, Igboho alleged that the attack was carried out with the intent to take his life.

“When my house was invaded, they wanted to kill me but failed. Some said my intestines were shattered, others said my leg was broken, but there was nothing of such. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you my fathers on me were answered.”

According to him, the DSS operatives forcefully gained entrance into his residence and pointed a gun at his Personal Assistant so he could lead them to his room.

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Death of cat after friend’s betrayal

While recalling the invasion, Igboho said one of his trusted friends betrayed him by leaking sensitive information about his cat to the operatives.

He disclosed that the so-called ‘trusted’ friend had told the agents not to let the cat escape, which led to the security operatives killing the animal.

“When I opened the door of my room for them, they saw my cat on the bed. One of my friends that I entrusted with secret had told them not to let the cat go. So they killed the cat and wrapped it with clothes like a corpse. They destroyed everywhere in the house and killed one of my brothers alongside one other person and they left,” he narrated.

Appeal to the Olowo

Speaking at the palace of the Olowo, Igboho said his absence from the country had lasted about five years and that he was eager to return to contribute to tackling insecurity in the South-West.

“But why I came to meet you Kabiesi is that till when will I be doing that. Nigeria is my motherland. This is about five years since I’ve been chased from here. Tinubu is your son, you can convince him to free me. If not for the wanted tag on me, I would have come to Nigeria to face the insecurity facing the South-West region. I would have entered the bush and faced them,” Igboho pleaded with the monarch.

Monarch’s response
In his response, Oba Ogunoye described Igboho as a beacon of hope for his generation and future ones, urging him not to be discouraged by the challenges he has faced.

The monarch enjoined Igboho and his supporters to remain law-abiding amid ongoing challenges.

He assured him of continued support and called for peace and cooperation across South-West communities, noting that no region can achieve sustainable development without security.
(TRIBUNE)