Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Federal Government has lifted the ban restricting the posting of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to the public sector, allowing for corpers to now be posted to private sector organisations, including banks and oil and gas companies. According to a memo sent by Minister for Youth Development Ayodele Olawande on November 18, 2024, the new policy directive would take effect with the start of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ orientation exercise. The previous policy, implemented during the tenure of former Minister for Youth and Sports Development Bolaji Abdullahi, aimed at discouraging private companies from exploiting cheap labour…

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly requesting approval for a new $2.2 billion foreign borrowing plan in the 2024 Appropriation Act.  The president’s request was contained in a letter read by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, at Tuesday’s plenary. If approved, the loan will be used to partially fund the N9.7 trillion budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024. The President has also sent the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper to the National Assembly for review and approval. Tinubu also introduced the National Social Investment Programme Establishment Amendment Bill, which would make…

Arsenal’s €90 million offer for Brazilian winger Raphinha has reportedly been rejected by Barcelona, maintaining that they would only consider a transfer for a nine-figure sum. The 27-year-old superstar, who has been in exceptional form this season, is seen as an indelible asset by Barcelona. Raphinha has had an outstanding campaign, contributing 12 goals and 10 assists in just 17 appearances. His performances have confirmed his status as a pivotal player under manager Hansi Flick, who has even entrusted him with the captaincy. The Premier League club, who previously attempted to sign Raphinha from Leeds United in 2022 before his…

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree permitting Russia to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states if they receive support from nuclear powers. The Kremlin announced a new policy on Tuesday, coinciding with the 1,000th day of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine. This follows the US decision to allow Kyiv to deploy long-range missiles targeting Russian military sites. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that aggression from a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power is considered a joint attack. “Aggression by a non-nuclear state with the participation of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack,” Peskov told reporters, in…

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was hospitalised on Monday after becoming ill while attending the G20 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “We inform you that the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, was treated today at the Samaritano Hospital (Botafogo) in Rio de Janeiro due to an indisposition,” Paraguayan authorities said in a statement on Monday evening. Peña, 46, was transported to Samaritano Hospital in Botafogo for treatment after experiencing “malaise” in the afternoon, according to AFP. Tinubu lands Brazil for G20 summit According to the hospital’s medical bulletin, he underwent diagnostic testing, and his condition was stabilised. “The head…

Super Eagles head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has reaffirmed his continuous support for striker Victor Boniface, despite the forward’s ongoing problems to duplicate his club form with the national side.  Speaking during a media engagement following the Rwanda clash on Monday, Eguavoen conceded that Boniface’s underperformance has been a bone of annoyance but insisted that the player remains a vital part of his plans. The Super Eagles lost 2-1 against Rwanda on Monday, bringing their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers to an end. Rwanda stun Nigeria 2-1, fail to qualify for AFCON 2025 The match, which took place on…

A cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of 25 people in three local government areas in Sokoto state, out of a total of 1,160 cases reported in the state.  Asabe Balarabe, the state commissioner of health, said this on Monday while interacting with reporters. The commissioner went on to say that the state is treating 15 more outbreak victims from the Sokoto North, Silame, and Kware local government areas. Cholera death toll hits 378 as Mpox kills 102 According to the commissioner, the 15 active cases were identified by laboratory testing based on culture and sensitivity and verified as active…

The Lagos State Government will investigate the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old boy by a 22-year-old teacher, Louis Prosper, at Blessed Peace School in Abule Odu, Egbeda community, Alimosho Local Government Area.  The spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Kayode Sutton, stated that the issue could have been addressed earlier if the ministry was aware of the teacher’s alleged crime. Chronicle NG report on Monday detailed how the 22-year-old teacher was arrested and detained by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly sodomising the minor at the school. The teacher had allegedly told the survivor to behave…

Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Ademola Adeleke of Osun have criticised the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, for claiming that the APC would take over Oyo and Osun states after winning Ondo State on Saturday.  Ganduje spoke with journalists in Akure on Sunday after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the Saturday governorship election in Ondo State. Ganduje had said, “Our next target now is the South-West geopolitical zone, and you know we are good at hitting the target, and this is Osun State and Oyo State. We…

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has warned Nigerians to refrain from using social media to report the conduct of police officers and instead direct such complaints to the Police Complaints Response Unit. Speaking at the PPROs/Police Communication Experts’ Conference in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday, the Inspector General stressed that using social media to address issues frequently leads to disinformation and weakens the Force’s integrity. The IGP acknowledged the impact of social media on public opinion, but cautioned that unverified information can lead to false perceptions. The IGP emphasised the need for transparency and accountability within the police…