The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has started disbursing N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta as part of its Youths Internship Scheme.

Seledi-Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, shared this update with journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

She explained that the participants would receive hands-on training at various organizations over the next 12 months to develop essential skills.

During the scheme’s launch on July 31, 2024, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed the Federal Government’s approval of the N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.

Thompson-Wakama stated that the selection process had been completed and placements in organizations for practical training had begun.

She confirmed that the stipend payments had now commenced.

Thompson-Wakama noted that the 10,000 beneficiaries were selected from over 3.2 million applicants, emphasizing the significant potential and ambitions of the youth in the region.

She assured that the NDDC is committed to ensuring this opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates and creates a lasting impact.

The scheme has also allowed the NDDC to gather important data on the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of youths in the area.

This information will help the commission develop targeted programs to address the specific challenges facing young people.

Additionally, Thompson-Wakama revealed that the NDDC has partnered with global audit and consultancy firm KPMG to improve its corporate governance.

KPMG has provided a Governance Advisory Report to aid the commission’s transition from a transaction-based approach to a transformation-focused policy.

The director also praised the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process.

Suspected bandits have attacked a mosque in the Bushe community within the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

During the assault, at least 10 worshippers, including the Imam, were abducted.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen stormed the mosque on Thursday while the worshippers were in the midst of their early morning Subhi prayer.

Local residents reported that the gunmen had been harassing the community for a while, despite the presence of security forces.

However, the prompt response of security personnel, led by Nigerian Army troops, helped to reduce the bandits’ activities.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the attack on Friday, with spokesperson Ahmed Rufai stating that police, in collaboration with other security agencies, were working to free the abducted victims.

A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, who represents Sabon Birni B state constituency, also confirmed the incident and praised the timely intervention of the security forces.

The Lagos State Government has announced that the enforcement of the ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) will begin “very soon.”

This statement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during a courtesy visit from members of the Food and Beverages Recyclers Alliance (FBRA) at his office on Thursday.

Wahab emphasized that Lagos State is committed to enforcing the ban on Single-Use Plastics.

He urged Lagos residents to continue supporting the government’s efforts, particularly in eliminating styrofoam, as the next step involves addressing the use of single-use plastics.

“I ask for Lagosians’ continued support as we move forward with the ban on styrofoam and the upcoming ban on single-use plastics,” Wahab stated in a press release from the Lagos State Government. “It is important for people to understand this as part of an ongoing effort, and we ask for their cooperation.”

The commissioner also assured that the implementation of the ban would be considerate and gradual, aiming to clean up the system and promote recycling, ultimately preventing unnecessary waste from entering landfills.

Wahab noted that the issue of Single-Use Plastics is more complex than that of styrofoam, but the government is focused on ensuring a sustainable environment.

There have been rumors suggesting that the Lagos State Government intends to ban sachet water, commonly known as “pure water.” However, Wahab clarified that this is not the case, stating, “The government is not banning pure water. Instead, we are working on a buyback program for the sachets.” He also expressed that various initiatives for recycling and reusing pure water sachets are already in progress.

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State chapter, has predicted a decline in egg prices if the state’s farmers’ feed subsidy is maintained.

Mojeed Iyiola, Chairman of PAN Lagos, made this statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos.

The Lagos State Government, through its N500 million Ounje Eko Farmers Subsidy Programme (Ounje Eko FSP), is offering farmers a 25% subsidy on animal feeds, including poultry and fish feeds. This initiative is intended to enhance local agricultural production in the state.

The feed subsidy distribution began on February 5 and will continue every Wednesday throughout February.

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Currently, a crate of eggs is priced between N5,000 and N6,000, depending on the size, while in the first quarter of 2024, eggs sold for between N2,800 and N3,000 per crate.

Iyiola praised the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems for their intervention. He expressed hope that if the initiative is extended beyond the initial four-week trial period, egg prices would decrease.

“The feed distribution from the Lagos State Farmers’ subsidy programme, which began on February 5, is a great government initiative. The future looks promising for poultry farmers, and we are truly grateful for the intervention,” Iyiola said. “We will start seeing the impact of this initiative in the poultry sector, and if it continues beyond the test period, we will definitely see a reduction in egg prices and other poultry products.”

However, Iyiola urged the government to prolong the initiative and extend it to a broader group of poultry farmers in the state. He emphasized that extending the intervention could prevent the closure of poultry farms, as many were forced to shut down last year due to high production costs.

“We were told the intervention would last for four weeks, and I believe it has the potential to improve the sector’s productivity. We hope the initiative will be extended and reach more poultry farmers across the state, as it will help prevent farm closures caused by the high cost of production,” he added.

Nimi Wariboko, a Professor of Social Ethics at Boston University, has stated that the recent aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States has caused significant fear among Nigerians living there.

Speaking virtually from the US during an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Friday, Wariboko described the concerns of the Nigerian community in the US just weeks after Donald Trump resumed office. He pointed out that many Nigerians in the US are living without proper documentation, causing widespread anxiety.

“There are a good number of Nigerians here who don’t have papers, so they are understandably worried,” Wariboko said. “If you’re a pastor or a community leader, you’re concerned for them. Are they going to be deported? Some of them are in hiding, and there’s a very real fear of being raided. They’re fearful, angry, and uncertain about what the future holds.”

Trump, who began his second term on January 20, 2025, promised mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, particularly those he termed “criminal aliens” who entered the US illegally. Already, there have been large-scale raids in homes, schools, workplaces, and public places, resulting in the deportation of undocumented immigrants to countries like India and Guatemala.

The policy has received mixed reactions, with some supporting it and others criticizing it. Wariboko explained that undocumented Nigerian immigrants in the US are upset with their fellow Nigerians at home, feeling that there is a lack of compassion from their own country.

“They’re asking, if this mass deportation happens, will there be jobs for them when they return?” he said. “Even those with legal status or US citizenship could face uncertainty with the proposed changes to birthright citizenship laws.”

Wariboko further argued that the Nigerian government should be invested in defending its citizens in the US, as immigration policies that lead to deportations could negatively impact Nigeria’s economy. Nigerians abroad contribute significantly to the country’s economy through remittances, which amounted to $20 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank.

He added, “Even if some people don’t care about us, Nigerians in the US send billions of dollars home every year, supporting families and the economy. For Nigeria’s economic interests, the government should care because these remittances are vital to sustaining families. Many families in Nigeria rely heavily on support from relatives abroad.”

Wariboko emphasized that defending citizens abroad is not just a matter of compassion but also in Nigeria’s national interest.

He urged the government to protect Nigerians in the US, as policies that harm the diaspora would have significant economic consequences.

Trump’s latest actions bring to mind his earlier immigration policies, such as when he added Nigeria to a list of countries facing restrictions on entry in 2020 due to non-compliance with identity management and information-sharing requirements.

As of 2015, there were approximately 376,000 Nigerian immigrants in the United States, making Nigeria the largest source of African immigration to the country.

The US remains a top destination for Nigerian youths and the middle class seeking better opportunities, with Nigerians contributing over $20 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy through remittances.

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has proposed the death penalty for drug traffickers.

Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, stated that only severe penalties will deter drug peddlers, particularly those responsible for distributing harmful substances that endanger children’s lives.

During an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, Adeyeye highlighted a disturbing case where children’s medicine was sold for N13,000, with another seller offering it for N3,000 in the same mall. Upon testing, the medicine was found to contain no active ingredients.

She said, “That raised an alarm. Guess what? There was nothing inside that medicine when we tested it in our Kaduna lab. So, I want the death penalty.”

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She argued that giving a child dangerous medicine is as lethal as pointing a gun at them, and that stricter penalties are necessary to deter such crimes.

Adeyeye is also calling for cooperation from the judiciary and the National Assembly to implement these severe penalties. She emphasized that fighting substandard and counterfeit medicines cannot be done in isolation and that without deterrents, the problem will persist.

“Somebody brought in 225mg of Tramadol that can kill anyone, fry the brain, and you give a sentence of five years or a N250,000 fine. Who doesn’t know that the person will go to the ATM and withdraw N250,000?” she said. “There are no strict measures to prevent people from repeating these crimes. We can do all we can, but without strong laws and a judiciary that stands firm, we will face issues.”

She also pointed out that NAFDAC faces significant challenges due to a shortage of staff and limited resources. With only around 2,000 staff members nationwide, Adeyeye believes the agency struggles to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

“We are short-staffed, and I hope things will improve,” she concluded.

Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, has stated that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai would not win a Senate seat if he contested.

Bwala made this statement during an interview with TVC News on Thursday, following El-Rufai’s recent criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some members of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

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In the interview, Bwala explained that El-Rufai’s political influence was largely due to his association with strong, revolutionary leaders, and he argued that the former governor does not have the ability to destabilize President Tinubu’s position.

“Although El-Rufai is still in the APC, you treat him like a brother. I’m aware of his grandstanding and his current struggle to find a clear path. Leaving a governing party where you have influence and thinking you can carry out a mission requires a functioning platform,” Bwala said.

He further added, “He does not have the ability to unsettle the president. No opposition party, even together, can make the president uneasy. Let me explain something about my elder brother El-Rufai: he thrives when aligned with a strong revolutionary leader. On his own, he may not win a Senate seat. He became governor because of the Buhari factor and was re-elected for the same reason. If he were to run for the Senate in Kaduna now, he would not win.”

The Federal Government has introduced a proposal for a 12-year basic education system but has denied claims that it is abolishing Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS).

This clarification was made in a statement on Friday by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo.

Boriowo explained that Education Minister Tunji Alausa made the statement during the Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, where he presented the proposal for discussion, not an immediate policy change.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has noticed misleading reports suggesting that the Federal Government has abolished JSS and SSS, replacing them with a new 12-year continuous basic education model. We want to clearly state that this is not true,” the statement said.

“The proposal is aimed at transitioning to 12 years of compulsory education, while maintaining the existing 6-3-3 structure,” the ministry clarified.

The Federal Government has announced the elimination of all Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria, replacing them with a compulsory 12-year continuous basic education system.

Following this, students will have the option to pursue higher education.

This change aims to replace the current 6-3-3-4 education structure with a 12-4 system. The government has also proposed that the National Council on Education approve 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, revealed this decision on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 extraordinary National Council on Education meeting, which is the highest policy-making body in Nigeria’s education sector.

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The meeting was attended by education commissioners from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with representatives from various agencies, parastatals, and development partners.

Dr. Alausa explained that incorporating secondary education into basic education would provide students with uninterrupted learning until they reach the age of 16.

He stressed that the new policy is in line with global best practices and aims to reduce dropout rates by tackling financial and systemic challenges that currently prevent students from completing secondary education.

“Expanding basic education to 12 years will create a standardized curriculum that will be consistently applied across the country,” Alausa said. “This will also allow for earlier exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for both higher education and the workforce.”

He pointed out that many developed countries have adopted similar education systems, where basic education spans 12 years, ensuring students acquire essential knowledge before focusing on specialized studies at the tertiary level.

This reform, according to Dr. Alausa, will align Nigeria’s education system with international standards, improve educational outcomes, and enhance global competitiveness.

Additionally, he highlighted that the reform would have significant economic and social impacts.

“Educated youth play a crucial role in national development. When students receive a longer period of compulsory education, they are better prepared to enter the workforce with the necessary skills.

This reform will also help reduce child labor and other social issues caused by premature school dropouts,” he said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has highlighted a rise in reverse medical tourism in Nigeria, with patients from the United States and other nations traveling to the country for affordable and high-quality kidney transplants.

Shettima credited the increasing medical tourism to the affordability and expertise within Nigeria’s healthcare system.

During a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Association of Nephrology (NAN) at the Presidential Villa ahead of the association’s 37th Scientific Conference, he emphasized the need for more investment in specialized medical education to maintain and enhance this growth.

He said, “There is a trend of reverse medical tourism due to the level of care at some of our hospitals. Recently, 13 patients from the United States came to Nigeria for kidney transplants at Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre because the cost is significantly lower here, and they receive world-class expertise.”

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The Vice President commended Dr. Olalekan Olatise, Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, for his dedication to kidney care, describing him as “a very decent man who is highly altruistic” in his efforts to help others.

Shettima acknowledged, however, that the financial burden of treatment remains a challenge for many patients, some of whom have to sell their homes or rely on government assistance to afford transplants.

“While kidney transplants are already difficult, life after surgery presents even greater challenges. Many patients struggle with the costs of post-transplant care, especially for immunosuppressants, which are crucial for their well-being,” he added.

The Vice President also reflected on his healthcare initiatives during his tenure as Governor of Borno State, including the success of his free maternal care programs.

“At a local hospital in my neighborhood, we provide a bag of rice and beans to every new mother.

They handle about 30 births daily, even more than the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Over 4,000 deliveries have been recorded in under eight months, with all medical costs, including caesarean sections, covered,” Shettima noted.

He reiterated the importance of building Nigeria’s medical workforce, sharing how, as governor, he sent 60 female students to study medicine in Sudan, with 58 completing their education and passing the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) licensing exams.

Many of them are now in residency programs. Shettima emphasized that training women in medicine is particularly beneficial, as they are more likely to remain in their communities to practice.

“We need to make targeted investments in specialized healthcare education in this country,” he said.

Earlier, Dr. Olatise, also the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 37th Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, announced that the theme of the conference, “Revolutionizing Kidney Care in Nigeria: Evidence-Based Innovations,” will take place in Abuja.

Dr. Olatise also revealed that the association plans to honor Vice President Shettima with the Kidney Champion Award for his advocacy and direct support for kidney patients.

This includes his contributions to funding immunosuppressants and proposing the establishment of a specialized laboratory for post-transplant care.

“We have recognized the Vice President’s involvement in supporting kidney patients, including purchasing immunosuppressants and considering the creation of a lab to monitor calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) levels for kidney patients. This award is a recognition of his dedication,” Olatise explained.