The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has warned that Nigeria will not tolerate any disrespect from any country against its citizens.

The CDS also dismissed insinuations from some quarters that members of the armed forces were not invited to Vancouver, Canada, to participate in the Invictus Games initiated by the Duke of Sussex.
General Musa stressed that Nigeria deserves respect from the international community.
He maintained that some countries treat Nigerians unfairly.

He stated this at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, shortly after he received wounded military personnel who had participated in the games.

Recall that the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, tackled the Canada High Commission in Abuja last week for denying the military chief and other top officers visas to attend the programme.

Providing an insight into what transpired during the preparation for the programme, Musa said they followed all the due process and that all concerned government officials, including ministers and the NSA, were aware.

“The issue of visa denial must be tackled abroad. Nigeria is good enough for all of us. We had an agreement, we were invited, the programme was sent to us, we followed our requirements, and we followed the process.

“Everybody knows members of the Armed Forces; we will never take shortcuts. The minister of foreign affairs, the minister of state for foreign affairs, the NSA—everybody is aware of this journey, and we followed the process.

“But most team members were denied visas for reasons best known to them. You remember the team captain did not go. The medical doctor was not there. The physiotherapist did not go. All those that were important to the team were not given visas. The question is, why?

“Well, I’m happy the federal government is also looking at those aspects. I think it’s important for people to understand that we deserve respect as Nigerians all over the world. We must never accept disrespect from anybody because we are a good country.

“For our Indigenous guests participating, you have made Nigeria proud. Your courage and determination have left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who have witnessed your journey. You are a true embodiment of the indigenous spirit, unconquered, unbroken, and unstoppable.”

Speaking further, Musa explained that some of the military officers who have their legs and hands amputated or have other deformations won’t be abandoned as some people want them to be.

“As we celebrate the achievements of our team, let us also remember the sacrifices made by all of our ex-service members in line with their duties.

“Let us continue to honour the sacrifices provided to support the country by committing resources to ensure their well-being for their successful re-integration into civilian life.

“For me, as the chief of the defence staff, this is a clarion call that whatever it takes to raise the morale of our troops, we will do it, whatever the cost is, because we know, once the troops see what we are doing with those that are injured, they will want to do their best because they know if anything happens to them, they will want to do their best.

“I’ve had comments from individuals across, mostly from the views of ignorance in the aspect that, why are we taking troops out? And I wonder, if you see those ones that have sacrificed so much if you see those ones that have died if you see those ones that have amputated legs, hands, and somebody thinks it is not important or it is not good for us, to look after them.

“Those other countries that sent their own were not doing it just because they wanted to do it but because they knew the importance. So, sometimes when we go to school, we should read deeply and allow schools to pass through us.”

Director, Regional Advocacy, National Education Loan Funds (NELFUND), Nneamaka Okafor has said the South East ranks last in application for the facility for students of tertiary institutions.

Okafor stated this when she led a delegation from the NELFUND on an advocacy visit to the Abia State governor, Alex Otti at his Umuehim Nvosi country home.

She said the facility, which was approved last April, is interest-free and that the beneficiaries are to pay it back from two to 10 years after completing the national youth service.

Responding, the governor expressed dissatisfaction at the situation and underlined the need to sensitise the students and the people on the facility and its benefits.

“We need to do this because this is a very good initiative by the federal government particularly for students from indigent homes to pursue their dreams without financial constraints.”

“I am sure if the students understand clearly that nobody will be chasing them around for the repayment until they secure a means of livelihood they will apply for it,” he said.

He assured the director and the delegation of the readiness of the government to provide the NELFUND the needed support and logistics to achieve the objective.

Otti, therefore, directed the commissioner for Tertiary Education, Uche Emeh-Uche to partner the TETFUND to ensure the advocacy is conducted across tertiary institutions in the state.

The federal government has begun nationwide on-the-spot monitoring of public and private schools to eliminate substandard schools.

This was disclosed when a team from the Federal Ministry of Education, led by the deputy director from the Quality Assurance Department, Ibrahim Rukayat, visited the Redeemers Teap International School, Garki, Abuja.

Speaking after evaluating the school, Rukayat said the exercise is happening nationwide from primary to secondary school levels, in both public and private schools.

“We are doing what we call on-the-spot assessment, which is a day assessment, two, three hours, and we are finished. We need to cover as many schools as possible. The report will be so short to read, not the other type of lengthy booklets or reforms that we’ve been doing.

“So, we’re doing it in a way that the management over there can quickly read and know what is happening.”

According to her, areas of focus include classes, labs, ICT facilities, clinics, and others, while commending the school as outstanding in the assessment.

Earlier, Yinka Amodu from the Quality Assurance Department said the exercise was a directive from the Honourable Minister of Education for all states to focus on on-the-spot monitoring.

“Now, we are doing that to help the schools, to help the learners, and also to help the parents. At the same time, we are helping the country.

“If there’s no check and balances, the educational system in this country will not grow, and we cannot continue doing the same thing and expect a different result.”

On his part, the principal of the school, Olajumede Yusuf, said the exercise was the first of its kind and that they are just flagging it off today.

He pledged to improve on the areas identified by the team as weak links.

A ray of hope has emerged for Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates as the Federal Government takes steps to address the ongoing issue of their alleged exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The controversy, which primarily affects HND holders who completed their National Diploma (ND) through part-time programmes, has sparked widespread protests and concerns about fairness in the NYSC mobilization process.

The NYSC scheme is a mandatory national service for Nigerian graduates, designed to promote national unity and foster development.

In principle, every Nigerian graduate is expected to participate in the service, although some are exempted based on certain criteria, such as age or health conditions.

However, recent developments have drawn attention to the situation of some HND graduates who have been left out of the mobilization process due to the nature of their studies.

The controversy surrounding the exclusion of HND graduates from the NYSC scheme primarily affects those who completed their ND via part-time studies.

These graduates, who obtained their National Diplomas through non-full-time education modes, have found themselves ineligible for NYSC mobilisation, a decision that has raised a number of questions concerning fairness.

Many of these graduates feel they are being unfairly treated, particularly because their academic credentials are equivalent to those of full-time students.

In some cases, individuals who have already completed their ND through part-time studies and subsequently pursued their HND through full-time courses find themselves caught in the middle of this exclusionary policy.

Despite their status as full-time students in their HND programmes, their earlier part-time ND studies are preventing them from being included in the NYSC mobilisation process.

This exclusion has sparked widespread protests across various parts of Nigeria.

Graduates, students, and advocacy groups have voiced their frustration over the perceived injustice, seeking clarification and immediate intervention from the government to address the issue.

Placards with messages like “No to discrimination,” “Give us our rights,” and “Reverse the injustice” were recently displayed during protests in different states. These protests were an indication of the deep dissatisfaction felt by those affected by the policy.

In January 2025, a series of protests took place across Nigeria, notably in Kwara State, where polytechnic students marched to express their anger at the policy.

They demanded the reversal of the exclusion and sought a fairer process that would include all graduates, regardless of the mode through which they completed their ND.

In Lagos, a similar scene unfolded as full-time HND graduates, who had completed their ND part-time, gathered outside the NYSC secretariat to protest their exclusion.

Their placards carried messages such as “Say No to Discrimination in NYSC” and “Equal Rights for All,” urging the government to ensure that their rights to serve were recognised and upheld.

The protests have not been limited to students and graduates; various advocacy groups and individuals have expressed their support for the cause, highlighting the negative consequences this exclusion could have on the career prospects of affected graduates.

Many argue that it is unfair to penalise students who completed part-time ND programmes when their HND is obtained through the same rigorous academic standards as full-time students.
The Nigerian government, particularly the Ministry of Education, has now taken steps to address the concerns raised by affected HND graduates.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, expressed his commitment to resolving the issue after receiving numerous messages and letters from concerned students and graduates.

He assured the public that the government was aware of the injustice and was working on a solution.
Alausa took to his official Twitter account to share his plans for addressing the matter.

He stated, “I have received numerous messages and letters from part-time ND and HND students, and those who transitioned to full-time courses about their exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).”

He further emphasised that both the Federal Ministry of Education and the Presidency were aligned in their support for the affected graduates.

He confirmed that a meeting with the Director-General of the NYSC would take place in March 2025 to discuss the matter in detail and come up with a solution that would address the grievances of the graduates.

In his statement, Alausa expressed his unwavering support for the affected students, saying, “As I told the students at Yaba Tech today, the Federal Ministry of Education and our agencies stand with you.

“The Presidency stands with you as well. You should not be exempted from participating in NYSC.”

His words were seen as a sign of hope for many who had been waiting for the government to take action.

The forthcoming discussions between the Ministry of Education and the NYSC are expected to yield positive results for the affected graduates.

A resolution of this issue would restore the rights of HND graduates who feel they have been unjustly excluded from the NYSC scheme.

The hope is that this process will lead to the formulation of a fairer and more inclusive mobilisation policy that takes into account the academic standing of all graduates, regardless of whether they completed their ND through part-time or full-time studies.

A favorable resolution is expected to address concerns of discrimination and ensure that all graduates are treated equally under the NYSC scheme.

The Forum of Patriotic Scavengers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declared its support for the administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike while appealing for an end to the ongoing eviction and demolition of scavengers’ settlements. 

Following a crucial meeting in Abuja, the forum’s media consultant, Ikenna Ndubuisi, emphasised that while concerns over vandalism and theft of critical infrastructure are valid, it is unfair to brand all scavengers as criminals.

He urged the minister to reconsider the blanket crackdown on scavenging activities, assuring that the forum’s registered members are committed to following the law.

“We understand the minister’s concerns regarding vandalism and infrastructure theft, such as gully outlet covers and other public assets.

However, not all scavengers engage in criminal activities. Many are law-abiding citizens striving to earn an honest living,” Ndubuisi stated.

In a bid to address the concerns raised by authorities, the forum announced several initiatives, including the issuance of identity cards to registered members, an accreditation process, and a comprehensive census to identify scavengers operating within the FCT.

Additionally, the group plans to collaborate with security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, to ensure compliance with regulations.

Ndubuisi further assured that the forum is committed to sensitising its members to protect public infrastructure and adhere to legal guidelines.

He reiterated the group’s readiness to work with the government to address violations within the scavenging community.

“The forum is ready to self-regulate and report any member who engages in criminal activities. We seek a second chance to prove that properly organised scavenging can be a legitimate and valuable economic activity,” he added.

The appeal comes amid the FCT Administration’s intensified efforts to sanitise the capital city, which has seen mass demolitions of illegal settlements, including areas occupied by scavengers.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has announced that the ban on Single-Use plastics will be enforced nationwide, starting with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Similarly, the director-general of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, said a national environmental (plastic waste control) regulation is underway to tackle the menace of plastic pollution in Nigeria.

On August 6, 2024, the federal government banned single-use plastics in government-owned facilities.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Dr Barikor said the agency carried out criminal enforcement procedures on a total number of 96 recalcitrant facilities across the different States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for various environmental Infractions in 2024 alone.

“NESREA would continue to do that if such facilities fail to meet their environmental obligations. That is a promise,” the DG stated.

To achieve effective environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement, NESREA has developed 36 National ecological regulations and various national environmental guidelines.

DG Barikor said the ultimate goal for NESREA is to achieve a culture of voluntary compliance from the regulated community, where facility operators proactively adhere to extant environmental legislations without the need for criminal enforcement action.

He told reporters that the government is also developing national guidelines for implementing the extended producer responsibility programme for (plastic) packaging in Nigeria and the enforcement policy alongside the plastic regulations.

“The Agency will begin the implementation of the two instruments in the Plastic Sector upon gazetting and publications, respectively.”
According to Barikor, the regulations are designed to achieve specific, targeted outcomes, such as improved air quality, environmental conservation, and reduced waste and hazardous substances exposure.

NESREA has commenced the implementation of circular economy principles in the country over the years through the extended producer responsibility programme, as enshrined in most of its regulations.

The DG said implementation has commenced particularly in the food and beverage, electrical/electronics, batteries, used tyres, domestic plastics, rubber and foam (and soon-to-be plastic waste) sectors.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says the late Edwin Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), was a fearless elder statesman.

Jonathan spoke on Wednesday when Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, led a group of Nigerians to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leader.

“A friend in Benue state called me and asked me to take over the leadership, but I said the shoe he wore, my feet are too tiny to fit in,” Jonathan said.

“He had the courage and boldness and could confront anybody even though he was from a minority group. He was not just a leader for the Ijaw nationality; he was a leader for Nigeria.

“When he was a federal commissioner, I was in primary school; you cannot ask me to fit into his shoes.

“He spoke to presidents, he challenged them, he came out with fire and brimstone to challenge injustice.”

Also speaking, Diri said Clark used to speak truth to power irrespective of who was involved.

“For us from his own ethnic nationality, Ijaw ethnic nationality, there are shoes that will be difficult for anybody to fill,” the Bayelsa governor said.

“We all know the man, the character E. K. Clark. His last book was brutally frank. A man who tells you black is black and white is white. He gave leadership, and for us, it is difficult to find who can step into those shoes. That is where we are now.”

Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, said Clark would be remembered for his “passion and love” for Nigeria.

“All we can pray is that Nigeria develops a greater sense of urgency in realising the principles for which he lived and in which he died,” he said.

Seriake Dickson, the senator representing Bayelsa west, described Clark as a “father of fathers” who would be greatly missed.

“We have lost an Iroko, father of fathers, mentor of mentors; his death has left a huge vacuum. Bayelsa must be kept safe for the Ijaw nation,” he said.

The Netherlands says it will return 119 Benin bronzes looted during the 1897 British raid on Benin City to Nigeria.

The Dutch embassy in Nigeria said the artefacts should have never ended up in the Netherlands.

The number of artefacts is believed to be the single largest to be returned to Nigeria.

“This restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today,” Eppo Bruin, Dutch minister of education, culture, and science, said in a statement issued by the Dutch embassy in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”

Bengt van Loosdrech, ambassador-designate, said Nigeria has been clamouring for the return of the bronzes for over 50 years.

Quoting Olugbile Holloway, the director-general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the embassy said the return of the antiquities superseded previous repatriations.

“The return of 119 objects from the Netherlands will represent the single largest return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition,” Holloway was quoted to have said.

“We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities.”

The embassy said the bronzes are expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year.

Ola Olukoyede, the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has urged local government chairmen nationwide to prioritise accountability in managing council resources.

Olukoyede spoke on Wednesday at the Gombe state LG summit.

He said LG chairpersons do not enjoy immunity from investigation and prosecution for fraud, warning that the anti-graft agency will not hesitate to take action against them. 

“Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” the EFCC chairman said.

“The impact of these resources are not felt by the people living in these areas. Councils, instead of becoming catalysts of growth, have become caricatures existing only in name.”

Olukoyede said LG chairpersons should establish a compliance unit to assist them in monitoring the use of resources and the delivery of projects.

He said EFCC has established a fraud risk assessment and control (FRAC) department to monitor how the increased funds from the federation account are being used.

“EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to monitor how you are using the funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes you may even be seeing us in your dreams,” he said.

Microsoft has announced a $1 million initiative to train one million Nigerians in artificial intelligence (AI) over the next two years.

Ola Williams, country manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, announced on Wednesday during the Microsoft AI Tour in Lagos.

“I am so delighted to announce that as Microsoft in Nigeria, we will be investing one million dollars in the next two years to empower one million Nigerians with AI tools,” Williams said.

She said the initiative aims to equip Nigerians with AI skills to help them build solutions, establish businesses, and compete globally.

 

“This is a significant investment in our drive to ensure that everyone has access to the right skills required not just to use AI but to build solutions on AI, build businesses on AI that will be a sustainable means of livelihood for Nigerians and give Nigerian youths the opportunity to compete globally with their counterparts,” she added.

The announcement comes on the heels of a partnership between the federal government and Google to advance AI and digital innovation in the country.

The presidency described the partnership as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and expressed commitment to ensuring technological transformation translates into real benefits for businesses and citizens.