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By Francesca Hangeior

The federal government has confirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms recently approved for the 53-year-old scheme.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the move is aimed at promoting local production and ensuring government spending supports the Nigerian economy.

Recall that on Monday the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since it was established in 1973.

Responding to questions on whether the new uniforms would be produced locally, Olawande said the Adire fabric would be sourced from Nigerian textile producers.

“It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun; we have them in Kwara; we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” he said.

The minister also announced that corps members would, under the new reforms, increasingly be posted according to their academic qualifications and career paths rather than through the existing general deployment system.

He explained that graduates trained as teachers, for instance, would be posted to schools after undergoing relevant training during the orientation camp.

“After leaving camp, you are not just posted to a school because NYSC wants you there but because of the process you followed in camp. That will determine where you are posted,” Olawande said.

On security, the minister said the government is reviewing the deployment policy to allow more corps members to serve in areas where they studied or are familiar, particularly in states facing security challenges.

According to him, the arrangement would reduce the need for redeployment while addressing concerns raised by parents and prospective corps members.

He said, “If we have a particular area that is having insecurity, instead of probably forcing people or parents to start talking, we must also give them an opportunity that ‘okay, who are those in that area, that schooled in that area, that know much about that area?’ Not just somebody, for example, let me say from South-West to North-East.

“If you have interest that you want to go to the North-East why not, but if you don’t have interest, instead of redeploying you, paying people for camp, doing all those funny things, we said no, let us look at it and say who are those in that area, that can reside in those geographical areas and still give us the kind of number we are looking for since we are saying NYSC should be more impactful. So, that is what we are talking about,” he said.

He also dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC scheme, describing such claims as a misconception.

Olawande clarified that although the scheme’s operational leadership would be headed by a civilian, the military would continue to play its traditional role in ensuring the security of corps members.

“Military is not taken away, there is no how you can take the military away. It is just saying that we are moving away from military mobilisation to civilian mobilisation,” he said.

Under the new framework, the orientation course has been expanded to six weeks with greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, vocational skills, civic responsibility and employability.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu said the reforms are aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills and preparing them for national development.

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By Francesca Hangeior

Former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, has confirmed that he has instituted a court action challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for the district, insisting that he lawfully won the exercise.

Speaking in an interview in Ado-Ekiti, Arise said he approached the court immediately after the primary in line with the timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act, adding that he was therefore not surprised when his name was omitted from the party’s list of candidates.

He maintained that the suit was not driven by personal ambition but by the need to ensure that political parties comply with their own rules and uphold democratic principles.

According to him, he filed the suit within the legally prescribed period to preserve his right to seek judicial redress, arguing that waiting for subsequent announcements by the party would have rendered any legal action statute-barred.

Arise alleged that many aspirants were misled into waiting for declarations by the party’s national leadership despite provisions in the APC guidelines outlining the procedure for concluding the primary process.

He argued that the party failed to adhere to its own guidelines in conducting the senatorial primary.

“I went ahead and filed my case in court because I knew what was coming. That is why I was not surprised at the outcome. This is not about me; it is about ensuring that we have a system that works for everybody,” he said.

“I believe many people were carried away by statements that only the national officers could announce the winners, whereas the party guidelines clearly stated the procedure. There was more than met the eye, and I was careful not to fall into that trap.

“The court is now the arbiter. It will determine whether the guidelines released by the party were followed. Once rules are made, they must be obeyed. If they are violated, there must be a place where justice can be sought, and that place is the court.

“My name was omitted. I wasn’t cleared despite presenting my complaints and evidence during the appeal process. For anyone not to see what happened, it must have been deliberate. There appeared to be a written script.

“The only thing I went to court for is the primary election that I won. We conducted the election, the results were announced at the appropriate level and I emerged victorious. The court will determine who is right.

“If anyone decides to file now, that person would already be out of time. My lawyer understood the law, and we filed within the required timeline.

“I believe there are men and women of integrity on the bench. I have confidence in the judiciary, and I believe I will get my ticket back because I won massively.

“We have a process and we are following it. Nobody should worry. I believe justice will prevail.”

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By Francesca Hangeior

The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party has launched a statewide essay competition for secondary and tertiary institution students, with cash prizes totalling ₦2.8m.

The party said the initiative was aimed at promoting youth participation in governance and public policy while encouraging young people to contribute ideas to the development of the state.

Speaking during the launch at the party’s secretariat in Umuahia on Thursday, the state secretary of the party, Chuks Akamadu, described the competition as the first of its kind by the Abia chapter of the Labour Party.

He said the competition aligns with the party’s commitment to promoting civic education, democratic values and responsible political participation.

“The competition aligns with the Labour Party’s commitment to promoting equal opportunity, social justice, civic education, and responsible political participation.

“The exercise seeks to stimulate intellectual engagement among young Abians while generating practical ideas and policy recommendations that could contribute to governance and development.

“We are doing this because the Labour Party is a political party that is alive to its responsibilities in a democratic society. We are committed to educating citizens, promoting democratic values, and encouraging greater youth participation in the political process,” he stated.

Akamadu announced that the essay topic is “The New Abia and Need for Consolidation.”

According to him, the competition is designed to gather the perspectives of young people on the achievements of the administration of Governor Alex Otti and how the gains can be sustained.

He said the competition has two categories.

“For Category A (Secondary School Students), the winner will receive ₦500,000, while the second and third positions will receive ₦300,000 and ₦250,000 respectively.

“For Category B (Tertiary Institution Students), the first prize is ₦1 million, while the second and third prize winners will receive ₦500,000 and ₦250,000 respectively,” he stated.

Akamadu added that consolation prizes would also be presented to outstanding participants outside the top three, while the schools of the prize winners would receive special recognition.

He said entries, which must not exceed 1,500 words, should be submitted electronically to the party’s official email address on or before July 17, adding that the prize presentation would hold on August 3.

The Labour Party secretary commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as the administration’s achievements over the past three years, saying they inspired the initiative.

“The future of Abia belongs to our young people. Through this competition, we are giving them a voice to contribute to the political and developmental conversation shaping our state,” he said.