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The United Nations (UN) has expressed deep concern over the recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, calling for the immediate and safe release of all those held captive.

The global body also urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen efforts aimed at securing schools across the country.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, condemned the attacks, which also led to the killing of two educators. He described the incidents as a serious violation of children’s rights to education and safety.

Fall said the continued captivity of the pupils and their teachers remains deeply disturbing.

According to him, schools and other educational institutions should remain safe environments for learning and must not become targets of violence and intimidation.

“The recent incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning environments,” he said.

The UN official acknowledged the efforts already being made by the Nigerian government and security agencies to tackle the situation. However, he stressed that additional measures are required to ensure the prompt return of all abductees and the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.

He emphasized that children should never be victims of armed conflict or criminal activities, noting that attacks on schools endanger lives and undermine the future of communities and national development.

Fall reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments across Nigeria.

He also stressed the importance of safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring access to education in conditions that guarantee safety and dignity.

The UN further called for the full implementation of Nigeria’s Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, stronger emergency response mechanisms, and greater use of data-driven approaches to identify and address threats facing schools and vulnerable children.

The remarks followed a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday between the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre led by Commandant Samuel Umanah.

The meeting focused on the worsening security challenges affecting schools and provided an opportunity for the United Nations to express solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities dealing with the trauma caused by the abductions.

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…say the practice undermines National Service Scheme, waste public funds

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has taken steps to address the growing rejection of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members by government institutions across the country, warning that the trend is undermining the objectives of the national service scheme and depriving young graduates of valuable work experience.

The move followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by Rep. Rodney Ambaiowei, who raised concerns over what he described as the increasing refusal of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to accept corps members posted to them for their mandatory one-year national service.

Presenting the motion, Ambaiowei reminded lawmakers that the NYSC was established as a critical component of Nigeria’s post-civil war reconciliation and nation-building efforts.

He stated: “The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established as part of the post-civil war reconstruction of Nigeria with the specific aims of fostering national unity, reconciliation, and reconstruction by engaging young graduates in community service and promoting a sense of shared national identity and purpose. The scheme came into effect vide Decree No. 24 of 1973 (now the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84, LFN, 2004) promulgated by the General Yakubu Gowon administration.”

The lawmaker noted that for more than five decades, the scheme has played a significant role in promoting national integration by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin and residence.

Ambaiowei further highlighted the positive contributions of the programme over the years, including community development, business growth and social integration.

According to him, “Since its inception, the scheme has fostered national cohesion and healing, as a mandatory national scheme, graduates of universities and polytechnics from different regions of the country converge to render compulsory one-year national service in locations other than their states of origin and residence.

“The scheme has recorded positive impacts in credible service delivery, marriages contracted during service year, successful business development in places of primary assignment, and integration of corps members in their host communities, among other benefits”.

Despite these achievements, the lawmaker expressed concern that many government establishments now routinely reject corps members posted to them, leaving graduates without meaningful opportunities to contribute or gain practical experience.

Ambaiowei also cautioned that the practice amounts to a waste of public resources, as the government continues to pay allowances to corps members who are left without structured engagements.

“The scheme, which is designed to provide willing workforce to the public and private sectors, is currently facing setbacks as Government establishments are rejecting NYSC corps members, denying them service opportunities and experience. This has left many graduates vulnerable to exploitation by private firms and crime, while wasting the scheme’s intended workforce for public and private sectors.

“The rejecting corps members wastes public funds since the government still pays stipends for no economic contribution, without a clear engagement plan, the NYSC scheme loses value and discourages future graduates from participating.

“Proper deployment and utilisation of this young Corps Members’ energy in government offices during service year will enhance valuable experience, prepare them for rewarding careers in the public and private sectors, and boost national productivity and economic growth”, he added.

Following deliberations, the House resolved to urge all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, including the National Assembly, to stop rejecting corps members and instead create work structures that accommodate and effectively engage them.

Lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Youth Development to liaise with the Director-General of the NYSC with a view to developing a comprehensive framework for deploying and harnessing the potential of corps members throughout their service year.

The resolution is expected to strengthen the implementation of the NYSC scheme and ensure that young graduates are given meaningful opportunities to contribute to national development while acquiring practical workplace experience.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Ministry of Works and Housing to immediately clear blocked drains and repair damaged drainage infrastructure in parts of Abuja plagued by flooding and sewage-related challenges.

The directive affects key locations including Shehu Shagari Way, LaSalle Junction, Alvan Ikoku Way and other flood-prone areas across the Federal Capital Territory.

The House also called on the FCTA to develop and implement a comprehensive sewage evacuation and drainage maintenance programme, while engaging urban planning and environmental experts to design sustainable solutions to recurring sewage blockages and drainage failures across the capital city.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Clear Blocked Waterways and Sewages in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”, sponsored by Rep. Blessing Onuh during Thursday’s plenary.

Moving the motion, Onuh warned that neglected drainage channels and blocked sewage systems had become a major public health and environmental concern, contributing to repeated flooding in several parts of Abuja.

She noted that some of the worst-hit locations include Shehu Shagari Way, LaSalle Junction and Alvan Ikoku Way at Minister Hill, as well as communities within the Area Councils of the FCT.

She said: “These problems stem from poor drainage maintenance and blocked channels resulting in stagnant water that emits foul odors and poses serious health and environmental hazards to residents and commuters.

“Worried that the resulting unhygienic conditions from stagnant water and blocked drains increases the risk of waterborne diseases and affect the quality of life within the FCT.

“Also worried that despite repeated public complaints, the response from relevant authorities has remained inadequate, with insufficient proactive measures”.

The lawmaker stressed that proper maintenance of drainage and sewage systems was essential to preventing hazardous overflows and protecting public infrastructure, health and the environment.

The House unanimously adopted the motion, expressing concern over the recurring flooding incidents and the growing risks posed by poorly maintained waterways and drainage channels.
The House mandated its Committee on the Federal Capital Territory and the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and ensure that the relevant authorities comply with the resolutions.

The latest intervention comes amid growing concerns over flooding and sanitation challenges in parts of Abuja, particularly during the rainy season when blocked drains often worsen traffic congestion, damage infrastructure and expose residents to health risks.