Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, has announced that Nigerian students currently receiving the loan will not begin its repayment until two years after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

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Sawyerr who stated this on Saturday while featuring on a TVC News, noted that this applies to those secured jobs, and that the repayment requirements are on their employers.

He added that the employer will be deducting 10% of the employee’s salary and remitting to the Fund monthly.

“Two years after completion of their NYSC, there is a requirement for the loans to be paid back, but the requirement to pay the loan back is on the employer.

“For those who have managed to secure jobs, the employer goes to a database, he or she checks the name and the NIN number of the person who they’re about to employ.

“Then they contact NELFUND and say we’re about to employ this person and we’re going to start making deductions from their salary to the NELFUND. 

“That deduction is 10% of that individual’s salary. At no point is the obligation on the individual to pay back themselves,” Sawyer said.

He also pointed out that those that are unemployed after NYSC are not under obligation to repay the loans while self-employed persons would repay the loans by themselves.

Sawyer pointed out that while the law that established NELFUND does not currently allow it to provide loans for Nigerian students in private higher institutions, President Bola Tinubu is considering extending it to them in the future.

“For now, we only give loans to students of public institutions because the law doesn’t allow us to give loans to private institutions.

Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, ex-governor of Kano state, have met in Lagos, to “strategise” ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Aregbesola and Kwankwaso just finished from a marathon meeting in Lagos where they strategised on the 2027 election,” a party source told TheCable.

More to follow…

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Josef Onoh, has said that former President Mohamadu Buhari’s eight years in office were characterised by monumental corruption and insecurity.

Onoh stated this in a statement issued on Friday while responding to Buharis’ claim that Nigeria experienced significant improvements in its security and economy under his tenure.

The former President stated that he inherited a bad economy and security challenges from the Peoples Democratic Party, which was in government for 16 years.

Buhari, however, asserted that his government’s strategies successfully tackled these challenges, curbing terrorism and economic hardship.

Responding to Buhari’s comments, Onoh said the country experienced economic collapse, monumental corruption and insecurity under his watch.

Onoh asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is suffering from the consequences of Buhari’s mismanagement of the economy during his eight years in office.

The statement read, “Nigerians today accuse Tinubu’s administration of being the worst they have met without knowing that the President chose to be silent and carry his cross alone without shouting or calling names.

“He continues to navigate the economic minefields the Buhari administration left behind after they failed to frustrate him from becoming the president.

“Under Buhari’s watch, the North East. North Central, South East, South West couldn’t go to sleep in peace. When you assumed office on May 29, 2015, the cumulative number of people killed in Nigeria, according to the NST, was 34,972. But from the day you assumed office, the death figure rose to 98,083 as of May 16, 2023.

“Under your watch as President, 98,083 were killed in 12 years; 27,311 persons were killed in your first term in office; 35,800 were killed between 2019 and May 2023.

“Let me remind General Buhari that Nigeria has never witnessed the level of insecurity witnessed under his administration, not even during the Civil War. Let me refresh your memory with figures of Nigerians killed under your watch: In 2015, 5556; In 2016, 5763l; In 2017, 4618; In 2018, 6565; In 2019, 8340. In 2020, 9694; In 2021, 10575; In 2022, 9079; In 2023, 2921 totalling 63,111.

“You rode on the mantra of change but ended up changing Nigeria for the worst, and after you failed, you turned around to blame PDP your continuous self-assessment begs certain questions: could this stance be a political pretence or stem from a genuine insensitivity which has been your trade mark.”

Onoh said under the Buhari administration, Nigeria was ranked high in the Global Terrorism Index and was ranked low in the Global Peace Index.

He added, “In 2019, under your watch, Nigeria was ranked 3rd below Afghanistan and Iraq out of 138 countries in the Global Terrorism Index and was said to be the 14th most fragile in the world and the 9th in Africa, according to the Fragile States Index. Unsurprisingly, in the same year, our country was also ranked 148th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index, far below former war-ravaged countries like Sierra Leone (52), Liberia (59) and Rwanda (79).

“Under your watch, attacks and reprisal attacks continued in states like Kaduna with accusations of ethnic cleansing and mismanagement of religious and cultural diversity today. Tinubu’s administration has brought peace to southern Kaduna.

“Your insensitivity and ineffectiveness of your security chiefs were part of the reason for the spread of insecurity that allowed these groups to operate with impunity while you displayed ‘the failure or unwillingness while in authority to address these and other non-state actors and to secure ungoverned spaces, which cumulatively allowed the violence to mutate.”

The APC chieftain also stated that the former president failed to handle the economy and insecurity, which affected the country’s attraction for foreign direct investment.

He added, “On the issue of economy, your failure to handle insecurity created an environment in which Boko Haram extended its operations’. The heightening insecurity continued to impact negatively on the business environment and business flows of our nation during your tenure.

“Under your watch, one of the biggest fish markets in West Africa, located in Baga near the Lake Chad basin in North East Nigeria, has long been abandoned due to the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency and only under Tinubu’s administration has life gradually started coming back.

“Without prejudice, I maintain that in any fair assessment of Buhari’s administration, either by himself or even artificial intelligence, he must take these facts into consideration before giving false credits to his elapsed administration or himself. He should always remember these staggering statistics i have provided clearly have a verifiable impact on the direction of investment decisions, whether foreign or local.

“In the end, it affected both the perception of Nigeria globally and the reality of citizens’ livelihoods in our oil-rich country, which today Tinubu’s administration is paying the price of his ineptitude.

“Finally, one of the greatest legacies the Buhari administration left in the minds of Nigeria as its greatest contribution to the economy was a success story of a recharge card seller turned billionaire overnight and a serving Central Bank governor running for president from the comfort of his office using public funds.

“Your administration yesterday introduced “Ranka ya Dede Nepotism”, today, it’s “Emiloka”, tomorrow it might be “igbo kwenu” and what will be next tomorrow’s catchphrase. Because your 8 years in office was truly the las vegas of insecurity and corruption”.

Mohammed El-Rufai, eldest son of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he supports the probe of his father’s administration by the Kaduna State Government, provided it is done with clear, unbiased intent.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, Mohammed stressed that while accountability is crucial, any probe must focus on uncovering facts rather than settling personal scores.

The lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, however, urged that investigations not be used as a political weapon.

“If done for selfish reasons, such inquiries only harm progress,” he said.

Speaking further, Mohammed stated reconciling his father and his successor, Governor Uba Sani, is not his responsibility, saying that the rift between the two is being exaggerated in the media.

Mohammed, however, stated that he was not happy with the ”cold war’ between his father and the governor, considering the role both played in his life.

Emphasising his commitment to serving his constituents, Mohammed stated that his priority is effective governance in his constituency and not mediating in the ongoing rift.

He said, “Some people are delighted, seeing my father and the Governor enmeshed in a conflict, just like the legendary Bollywood actors, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra fighting.”

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder of Love World aka Christ Embassy has opened up on why several gospel musicians, such as Sinach, Joe Praize, Frank Edwards, Eben, and others left his church.

The singers had started their music careers at the Love World before dumping church. Many claimed they left due to restrictions on ministering outside Christ Embassy.

For instance, as Sinach’s international music ministry grew, her presence at Christ Embassy became scarce, which allegedly displeased Oyakhilome.

It is believed that Oyakhilome asked her to return and actively participate in the church’s singing ministry to no avail.

In a viral video, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome explained that he stopped working with the singers because they were no longer celebrating God.

According to Oyakhilome, he tried to get them to change their ways, but they refused and stopped following him. In his words:

“Why did it happen? The church was turned into a party place, not a prayer place where God’s word was truly celebrated…they were not soul winners; they led praise in church, and when it was time for prayers, they were gone.

The church lost its way of worship, everything changed, the music in the church became worldly, they danced for themselves, celebrated themselves not God, they charged for their singing, they became professionals making money from the church….and many pastors didn’t know that this was the world coming into the church.

I did at the beginning and celebrated them but when I changed, they refused to change with me, so I had to let them go; God was getting my attention and saying this is not the way. I told them the Lord wanted us to do the right thing…they had become too popular and because they were making even little money….do they know what big money is? The little money they were making was too attractive to them, so they didn’t want to follow me, so they made a detour….I hope they all repent…..they are not worship leaders.”

Tragedy struck the people of Abagana Community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State on Friday, when a 37-year-old man, Anthony Kosisochukwu Okafor sent his elder brother, Mr. Emmanuel Okafor, 45, to his untimely grave.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the sad incident happened at about 7pm on Friday when Anthony and his deceased brother, Emmanuel Okafor, had disagreement over foodstuffs sharing at their Adegbe Village home in Abagana.

It was learnt that the younger Okafor, in a fury of anger during the quarrel between him and his elder brother, pierced the latter’s chest with a stick, resulting to his death.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident on Saturday, disclosing that the younger Okafor has been arrested by a joint security team of the Abagana Police Division and operatives of the state ad-hoc security organisation, Anambra Vigilante Goup (AVG).

Ikenga further revealed that the suspect has confessed to engaging his deceased brother in a fight about foodstuffs consumption.

The Command’s spokesperson said, “The suspect confessed to having engaged the victim in a fight over a heated argument about using foodstuffs in the house. Kosisochukwu was said to have used a stick to pierce the deceased chest.

“The victim was rushed to the hospital and was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”

The PPRO described the incident as quite disturbing as it highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence and conflicts amongst family members.

Police further emphasised that the incident underscored the need to manage conflicts and emotions in healthy and constructive manners to avoid irreparable consequences.

“The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka and shall be charged to court on the conclusion of the investigation”, the PPRO stated.

Abductors of the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Retired General Maharazu Tsiga, have demanded a N250 million ransom as a condition for his release.

DAILY POST recalls that Gen Tsiga was kidnapped on Wednesday night following the invasion of his residence in Katsina State by over 100 gunmen.

According to a member representing Bakori/Danja federal constituency Katsina State, Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai, the attackers after surrounding the house, began to break doors, a situation that prompted the general to come out and asked them what they were looking for.

Security operatives had launched a manhunt for his release from the captivity of the assailants.

A source close to the family who preferred anonymity, told Daily Trust on Friday that the family was contacted and N250 million was requested.

Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday said Mexico has received almost 11,000 deported migrants from the United States since January 20 when President Donald Trump took office.

Sheinbaum said the figure included about 2,500 non-Mexicans.

Sheinbaum, earlier this week, reached a deal with Trump to pause threatened tariffs on Mexican goods in exchange for deploying thousands of National Guard police to the country’s northern border with the United States in a bid to further reduce the flow of U.S.-bound migrants.

The Mexican president, while speaking at her regular morning press conference, added that Mexico has also repatriated deported migrants to Honduras via flights as well as ground transportation.

She, however, emphasized that the repatriations were not forced.

“It’s voluntary. We will accompany them so they can go to their home countries,” she said

The Nigerian currency, Naira, continued its appreciation run against the dollar at the parallel foreign exchange market on Friday.

According to a Bureau de Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Abubakar Alhasan, the Naira appreciated to N1565 per dollar at the close of business on Friday from N1570 traded on Thursday.

This means that on Friday, the Naira recorded a N5 gain against the dollar compared to the N1,570 exchange rate the previous day.

Meanwhile, at the official FX, the Naira closed at N1,500.41 per dollar on Friday from N1,499.98 exchange on Thursday, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s FX data.

A comparison across the FX market showed that the gap between the official and parallel windows has shrunk to N64.59.

DAILY POST reports that in the five days, the Naira recorded significant appreciation, with the highest on Thursday.

The Naira’s gain against the dollar may not be unconnected to CBN’s FX Code and FX sell extension to BDC operator policies

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested nine suspects linked to the gruesome killing of Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Azuka was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for Christmas.

His decomposing body was discovered by the roadside near the Second Niger Bridge in the early hours of Thursday.

Announcing the arrests in a press statement on Friday, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnaghe Itam, disclosed that a joint security team comprising police operatives and Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) personnel had launched a mission to rescue the abducted lawmaker, only to find his lifeless body.

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“Our interaction today is to highlight some of the notable breakthroughs recorded by the Anambra State Police Command on major incidents in the state within the period under review,” Itam said.

“Many of you are aware of the gruesome murder of Justice Azuka, the State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly who was abducted on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha.

“This serious incident motivated the Command to go the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation.

“In the early hours of February 6, 2025, at the Second Niger Bridge, the joint security team comprising the police and AVG operatives, on a mission to rescue the abducted State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North, found his lifeless body at the scene. (May his soul rest in perfect peace.)”

According to him, on the same day the body was discovered, “the command operatives in a joint operation with Anambra State vigilante operatives, acting on intelligence-led information, arrested nine suspects actively involved in this unfortunate incident and recovered two pump-action guns.

“One of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury in his leg during a gun duel with the Police operatives.”

The arrested suspects include: Ugochukwu Onuorah (30); Ikemefuna Ossai (20); Ikenna Orugu (27); Chibuike Obiefuna (19); Chinonso Olisa (19); Chinedu Okoli (21); David Ojini (25); and Peter Sunday (20), described as the most notorious, with a tattoo on his chest reading “No peace 4 d Government.”

The Commissioner also revealed that the command had successfully arrested “one Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect in Uruagu, Nnewi, and neutralised some of his gang members that were involved in the attack of Police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad after a successful arrest on 3rd October 2024.”

He further disclosed: “We have also neutralized more than 100 notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru, and many other places in the State.”

CP Itam extended his appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, “for his guidance and overall support,” and also thanked “the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, sister agencies, the media, residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilante operatives, Civil Society Groups, Organisations, and many others for their unflinching support within the nine months that I have spent in the State as the Commissioner

of Police.”