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The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has assured corps members that their new monthly allowance of N77,000 will be credited to their accounts starting from March 2025.

Speaking during an interactive session with Corps Members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC zonal offices in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, General Nafiu reaffirmed the commitment of both the Scheme and the Nigerian government to prioritising the welfare of corps members.

He emphasised that their well-being remains a top priority.

“The NYSC is good at record-keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The Nation and the Scheme appreciate you,” he assured the corps members.

General Nafiu commended the dedication and selfless service of Corps Members, urging them to remain calm, disciplined, focused, and committed to national development.

He praised the founding vision of the Scheme, emphasising that NYSC serves as a bridge-building platform, fostering unity and exposing young graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria.

Furthermore, he reiterated the NYSC Management’s commitment to instilling virtues of patriotism, discipline, self-restraint, good morals, leadership, and teamwork in corps members.

In response, a corps member, Zaka Deborah Alheri, speaking on behalf of her colleagues at the Garki Zone, expressed gratitude to the Director-General for his dedication to ensuring the prompt payment of the increased allowance.

The announcement has been met with enthusiasm among corps members, who view the increase as a significant step toward improving their welfare during the one-year mandatory service to the nation.

NAN

Senator Seriake Dickson has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, insisting that the move lacks justification and undermines democratic principles.

Speaking on PrimeTime with Arise TV, the former Bayelsa governor described the decision as shocking and ill-advised.

“As a committed democrat, I was shocked when the president’s proclamation was read, and I immediately released a statement to condemn it,” he stated.

Dickson argued that while there are concerns in Rivers, they do not warrant such an extreme measure. He also cautioned that a state of emergency does not require the suspension of the governor, deputy, or state lawmakers.

“I have been making calls to ensure this incident is not misinterpreted as an ethnic clash between the Ikwere and Ijaw people. Leaders across all divides must see it for what it is—a political issue,” he warned.

The senator also expressed doubts over the level of consultation before the proclamation, stressing that it contradicts the principles of constitutional democracy.

“The President knows the key actors, yet whatever step he took appears insufficient. Suspending elected officials is like igniting a nuclear bomb in a constitutional democracy,” he added.

While acknowledging that Section 305 of the Constitution allows for a state of emergency, he questioned whether the legal conditions had been met.

“Even if they are fulfilled, it does not automatically imply the suspension of the governor or lawmakers,” Dickson concluded

The House of Representatives has given its approval to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for a state of emergency in Rivers State, though with a significant amendment.

The House resolution allows for the emergency to be reviewed at any time during its duration, without the need to wait for the six-month period initially outlined in the proclamation.

Minority Whip, Ali Isa JC, introduced the amendment, suggesting that should signs of the crisis resolution emerge, the President should reassess the need for the continued state of emergency in the state.

Many have been feared dead following an explosion involving a fuel-laden truck, near Karu Bridge in Abuja.

The explosion which occurred late on Wednesday, March 19, caused chaos in the area.

According to witnesses, the truck lost control near the bridge, which lies between Kugbo and Nyanya along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.

It was reported that several cars were trapped in the incident, leaving their occupants unable to escape.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has rejected claims tMinister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is responsible for the political crisis that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the ongoing political turmoil.

This decision resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and members of the House of Assembly for six months.

The President also nominated former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

However, the decision sparked controversy, with many accusing the President of aligning with Wike and placing blame on Governor Fubara for the crisis in Rivers.

However, in a Thursday briefing with State House Correspondents, Fagbemi defended Wike, stating that the Minister was not to blame for the political chaos.

The AGF placed the responsibility squarely on Governor Fubara, accusing him of overstepping his authority by ordering the demolition of the Rivers Assembly complex, which escalated the situation.

“Was Wike the one who ordered the House of Assembly to be demolished?.

“I don’t see the hand of the Minister of the FCT in what happened. It was Fubara’s action that led to this crisis, ” he said.

Fagbemi explained that the Supreme Court had ruled that Fubara’s actions, particularly the destruction of the Assembly complex, were a result of his fear of impeachment.

He added that when the court declared that Rivers State had effectively lost its functioning government, there was no choice but for the President to take drastic measures to restore order.

“This situation was so critical that the only responsible action a leader could take was the decision made by the President on Tuesday,” he argued.

Popular skit maker Mark Angel, has urged youths and residents of Rivers State to stay away from the ongoing political turmoil in the state.

His advice comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and all elected members of the House of Assembly for six months.

Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator to manage the state’s affairs during the period.

Mark emphasised that the conflict is a dispute between two governments, rooted in failed agreements and personal disagreements, and does not concern the youths.

He warned young people against getting involved in the situation.

Reflecting on the situation in a video on his Instagram handle, the 33-year-old Rivers-born content creator reminded the public that he and his team had raised alarms about such a crisis in their skits two years ago, though their warnings were ignored at the time.

He urged youths to focus on their businesses, health, and personal development, rather than getting caught up in political conflicts.

Mark said: “My fellow Rivers state people and all residents especially the youths, it is not your matter, it does not concern you. It is government versus government. The government said they had an agreement with the other government.

“Now the agreement did not hold even though they have their personal issues. But what I want to let you know is that this is not your concern. We said a lot of jokes and made skits about this issue about two years ago, we were warning that this was going to happen, now it has happened.

“The government ignored those videos, tagging them as jokes and skits but now it is being manifested. So leave them to fight their fight, if they announce military rule for 10 years, no problem. As long as we can come out, do our businesses, eat and progress in the society.

“Do not fight over someone else’s issues. The governor who is asking us to protest, how did he enter power? All of us know now, so they know themselves, let them settle their issues, do not get involved.”

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has issued a stern warning to state governments, cautioning against actions that could undermine national security and stability.

Speaking on Wednesday, Fagbemi accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of allegedly influencing militants to sabotage oil pipelines in the state. His remarks came while defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State due to the ongoing political crisis.

According to the AGF, even if Governor Fubara did not directly order the attacks, his failure to denounce the militants’ threats made him complicit. “We are in a democracy. The governor was seen telegraphing militants, suggesting he would let them know when to act. Even if that was misinterpreted, did he disown them? No. A week later, pipelines were vandalized,” he asserted.

Fagbemi emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, warning that any attack on critical infrastructure is not just an assault on Rivers State but on the entire nation. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s judgment formed the legal basis for Tinubu’s declaration of emergency, adding that the decision was necessary to protect vital assets and restore governance in the state.

“The governor and the state house of assembly members had to be suspended because they failed to ensure a conducive atmosphere for governance,” he explained, pushing back against claims that the federal government acted hastily.

He further stated that the situation in Rivers demanded extraordinary measures, noting that the National Assembly now holds the power to either uphold or overturn the president’s decision by denying it the required two-thirds majority.

The AGF’s remarks serve as a clear warning to other state governments, signaling the federal government’s readiness to take strict action against any threat to national stability.

Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has questioned political figures who are expressing concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Omokri pointed out that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared States of Emergency in Plateau and Ekiti states, first on May 18, 2004, and again on October 19, 2006, the decision was widely accepted with little to no opposition.

He emphasised that at the time, every major political figure in Nigeria, including the presidential candidates of the 2003 election, held prominent positions in government, either as governors or in other influential roles.

Omokri noted that despite their high-ranking positions, none of these figures objected to Obasanjo’s action.

He disclosed this in a statement he shared via his X handle on Wednesday, March 19.

The statement reads: “Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, States of Emergency were declared in Plateau and Ekiti states on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, and on Thursday, October 19, 2006. Every single Presidential candidate in the 2003 election was in government then, either as Governors or in other high positions. None of them opposed President Obasanjo then.

“So, why are they complaining when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does the same thing in Rivers State?

“When President Obasanjo declared States of Emergencies in Plateau and Ekiti, there were no bombing incidents. Meanwhile, in Rivers State, there have been two bomb blasts in less than twenty-four hours.

“There is more than enough justification for a State of Emergency in Rivers, and Nigerians should support President Tinubu in maintaining law and order in the country.

“What was sauce for the goos in Plateau and Ekiti States under Obasanjo should be good for the gander in Rivers State under President Tinubu.”

Members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly have threatened legal action against former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly calling the lawmakers ” stark illiterates ” on radio.

While reacting to El-Rufai’s comments, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Henry Marah Zachariah, on behalf of the lawmakers, said members of the Assembly possessed both legal, educational and moral qualifications and have dutifully discharged their constitutional responsibilities to carry out the investigation against him.

“El-Rufai is a noisemaker seeking political relevance,” the House members alleged.

El-Rufa’i had during a local radio programme, said members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly “are stark illiterates” and did not have the capacity to investigate his administration.

According to Hon. Zachariah ,“We wish to remind the former Governor that all the Honorable Members of the Assembly met constitutional requirement to contest and win their various elections as enshrined in Section 106 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended).”

“Members of the Assembly possessed both legal, educational and moral qualifications and have dutifully discharged their constitutional responsibilities to carry out the investigation.”

“All the findings of the Adhoc Committee against the former Governor and his administration are in the public domain and all his attempt to impugn the report in court failed and until the Committee’s report is successfully challenged in court, the former Governor remain indicted,” he said.

The legislators said they would take legal actions against El-Rufa’i for calling them ‘stark illiterates’ .

“On the issue of defamation of character of the Members of the Assembly, alleging that they are stark illiterates, the Assembly will take appropriate legal action against the former Governor to protect their image and integrity and the Assembly as an Institution for the sake of posterity.”

“On the removal of the former Executive Chairman of KADIRS of his appointment, the Rt. Hon. Speaker has no powers to hire or fire any appointed officer in the State,” he added.

While reiterating their support for Governor Uba Sani and the House Speaker, Yusuf Liman,the lawmakers said “We hereby reiterate the resolve of the entire members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly irrespective of party differences to support and work with Governor Uba Sani and the Rt Honourable Speaker to ensure the people of Kaduna State get the needed dividends of democracy.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Bola Tinubu on the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

Reacting officially to the decision in a chat with TheSun.ng from Saudi Arabia, the National Secretary of the ruling party, Ajibola Basiru, also urged President Tinubu to extend the decision to Osun, where the state government has grounded local government administration.

Ajibola further claimed that the President’s decision in Rivers has shown that he is not only a statesman but also very neutral in the crisis rocking the state.

According to him, “The decision of Mr. President is a welcome one. It is a decision to salvage democracy and save Rivers from becoming a failed state. The President has shown that he is a statesman; he has shown that he is not partisan in the matters of Rivers State.

“It appears that the gladiators on both sides are not considering the effects of the crisis on the state and the interests of the generality of the Rivers people. The decision of Mr President is well grounded and supported in the constitutional provisions of Nigeria.

“In view of the significance of Rivers State to the Nigerian economy, we cannot allow the situation to degenerate to the extent that it can affect the overall economic well-being of the Nigerian people. It is a signal that the President will not tolerate illegality,” he commended President Tinubu.

Reacting further, Ajibola said: “If some lawyers are saying that Mr President lacks the power to suspend a sitting state governor, do they want Nigeria to be destroyed before he can invoke the relevant constitutional provision?

“They are the same people that ran former governor Fubara into trouble by advising him to rule the state with four members of the House of Assembly. If they want to litigate against the decision, they should go to court, but we want the country to survive based on peace and development.

“We should not forget that a doctrine of necessity was invoked to draft Goodluck Jonathan into power. So, assuming that there is no constitutional provision, will necessity, rule of law and sanctity of life not dictate that such a decision should be taken?

“What I know is that the decision taken by Mr. President was very sound that every reasonable leader concerned about the security and welfare of Rivers State will take. Would he have allowed the state to go into anarchy and become another Somalia because of constitutional interpretation by some people? Ajibola defended.

In his appeals to President Tinubu to replicate the same decision in Osun, the ruling party’s chief scribe said: “We also want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to also declare the same State of Emergency in Osun State.

“The government has grounded local government administration despite the Court of Appeal decision and the advice by the Attorney General,” he appealed