By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Government has officially commenced payment of N77,000 monthly allowance to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

The announcement of a pay increase by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which earlier brought relief and excitement among corps members nationwide, was met with disappointment following delay in implementation of the new allowance.

For almost six months after the announcement in September 2024, serving corps members were paid the previous N33,000 allowance introduced in 2020 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Confirming the development a serving corps member in Kwara State, simply identified as Adepoju, said the scheme had commenced N77,000 payment, describing the increase as “long overdue.”

He said that the payment was possibly being disbursed in batches, noting that while some corps members had already received theirs, others were still anxiously waiting.

Also, Nigerians on social media, have begun reacting to the development, which came following an assurance from the Minister of Youths that the federal government would pay backlog of the N77,000 allowance.

A Twitter user, @ToluDaniel10, expressed his thoughts, writing: “NYSC is finally paying 77k to corps members 👏🏽. If you have this girl’s DM, go say a big thank you. I bet the government wouldn’t have listened to you if not for her.”

Another user, @fimlex2, wondered why the space was still quiet compared to when the scheme failed, tweeting:

“NYSC don pay corpers 77k now, see as everywhere just quiet.”

Similarly, @jess_odii confirmed the update: “NYSC has finally started the 77k payment today.”

For @dreyymo, the news called for celebration, sharing the development with excitement emoji: “NYSC don pay 77k oooo💃💃💃 I feel good 💐❤.”

Meanwhile, this increment aligns with the new minimum wage adjustments advocated by labour unions and the government. [Tribune

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed the immediate establishment of three holding camps for displaced people from Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun.

This was contained in a statement issued by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Gov Adeleke On Wednesday.

According to the statement, the Governor issued the directive after he confirmed the implementation of his earlier directive for the distribution of food and relief materials to the displaced people through the palaces of each troubled town.

“Now that the distribution of food and relief materials has commenced, I have directed the state emergency agency to proceed to set up camps for displaced people.

“Each town is to have a camp, probably their town halls or any place of their choice. Security agencies are to screen displaced people for transportation to the camps.

“The emergency agency will be providing food materials and accessories for the displaced people while the situation normalizes. The emergency agency has also reached out to NEMA for further support “, the Governor was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has commended security agencies for promptly implementing his directive for the grilling and prosecution of key ringleaders in the communal crisis.

“All the culprits must be brought to book. There must be accountability. I expect suspects to be charged to court as soon as possible ”, the Governor noted.

The 24-hour curfew continues amidst further tightening of security surveillance in the towns

By Gloria Ikibah

The long title of the proposed legislation reads, “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to qualify the immunity conferred on the President, remove the immunity conferred on the Vice President, the Governors and their deputies, in order to curb corruption, eradicate Impunity and enhance accountability in public office and for Related Matters”.

Key amendments include changes to Section 308 of the Constitution, which currently grants immunity to the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors while in office.

The proposed bill would amend subsection 3 to ensure that immunity only applies to the President and the Vice President when acting as President under Section 145 of the Constitution.

Additionally, a new subsection 4 will be introduced to make the immunity clause inapplicable if the office holder is acting in an unofficial capacity, engaging in actions beyond the powers of the office, or involved in criminal conduct.

“The bill seeks to foster transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption by making public officials more accountable for their actions, both in and out of office.

“Section 308 of the principal Act is amended by:(a) substituting a new subsection (3) as follows: “(3) This section applies to a person holding the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Vice President only when acting as President in line with Section 145 of this Constitution.

“Creating sub section (4) thereto as follows:“(4) The foregoing provisions of this section shall be inapplicable where the person to whom this section applies is acting in an unofficial capacity or where the conduct of the person is beyond the powers of his office or the conduct is criminal in nature”

“This Bill may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Act 2024”.

The bill is currently awaiting further debate and consideration by the National Assembly.