News

ASUP reacts as NYSC rejects HND graduates without one year IT experience

Published

3 months ago

August 30, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

The National Youth Service Corps has said polytechnic graduates or holders of the Higher National Diploma without evidence of undertaking the mandatory 12-month industrial training will not be registered at the NYSC orientation camp to participate in the national youth service.

The acting Director of Press and Public Relations, NYSC, Mrs Caroline Lembu, who spoke to The PUNCH on Thursday, explained that a certificate of industrial training is one of the requirements for polytechnic graduates to participate in the one-year national youth service.

The NYSC had recently introduced a new policy, requiring graduates of polytechnics and monotechnics to present an IT certification, as part of requirements for the national service, particularly for participation in the camp activities.

The NYSC Coordinator in Lagos State, Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, on August 3, 2024, where she explained that the corps members “must undergo the one-year IT with evidence of completion before going for HND, and institutions must confirm this before admitting them for HND.”

“The directive will take effect from the next orientation camp, and we will not register any candidate who did not complete or undergo the process,” Baderinwa said.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday, NYSC spokesman, Lembu, confirmed that the implementation of the policy had started.

“That is part of the requirement for obtaining an HND Certificate, isn’t it? So, it’s just that certificate. That is one of the documents they are required to present at the camp. They would get admission into the camp, but whether they would be registered or not is the issue. You know, everyone is admitted to the camp, and your documents are scrutinised. But what happens is that that is the requirement.”

Lembu noted that polytechnic students would “are supposed to do the 12-month training,” as a pre-condition for earning the HHD certificate.

“It is a prerequisite for getting the HND certificate. That is just the certificate they are asking for. They are not being rejected, they are just supposed to present it,” she said.

However, checks by The PUNCH showed that HHD holders without IT certificates were being turned back from NYSC orientation camps across the country.

In Osun State, the NYSC Public Relations Officer in the state, Funmi Okundaye, said the policy was being implemented.

“They were not evicted from camp. It is not an issue in the Osun camp alone. It is a national policy to sanitise the education sector. We sent those who don’t have IT letters back home to bring it. It is part of the registration materials they must bring to camp.

“Once they bring their IT letters from where they observed it, they will be allowed to return to the camp,” Okundaye said.

It was a similar situation in Niger State, where the NYSC spokesman in the state, Sam Oga, confirmed that polytechnic graduates without IT certificates were not being registered.

“Yes, we are implementing it. The NYSC HND candidates are not allowed into the camp without proof of IT. Until we get a counter directive they will not be allowed into the the camp,” Oga said.

The policy was also implemented in Kano State, where an NYSC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “This is a directive from the NYSC headquarters in Abuja. So, we are just complying with the order.”

In an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Mr Shammah Kpanja, backed the NYSC policy.

“The industrial attachment is an extension of the National Diploma programme and is a critical requirement for advancing to the Higher National Diploma. To be eligible for the HND, you must complete a one-year industrial attachment, where you acquire practical industry skills relevant to your field of study. After completing the IT, you can then enroll for the HND.

“However, some students bypass this requirement by staying at home after their ND and falsely claiming to have completed the IT when they apply for the HND. This deprives them of the practical experience that is essential for their development. The one-year industrial attachment is not just a formality; it’s a mandatory part of the training, and the skills gained during this period are expected to be demonstrated during the HND programme.”

The ASUP President explained that NYSC’s decision not to admit polytechnic graduates without IT certificates followed a communication to the scheme by the National Board for Technical Education.

“The one-year IT is compulsory and is a key criterion for admission into the HND. The National Board for Technical Education has communicated to the National Youth Service Corps that IT is mandatory, ensuring that students who skipped this step are not mobilised for the NYSC. The entire programme spans five years, and the inclusion of the industrial attachment is fully supported as it provides invaluable experience for students,” Kpanja said.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.

News

NiDCOM rescues 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

*** says 163 victims saved between July, November

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.

This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.

The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.

The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.

It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.

NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.

She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.

Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.

Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.

News

Dabiri-Erewa celebrates Chidimma’s emergence as First Runner up, Miss Universe

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.

In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.

Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.

While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.

Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.

The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.

Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.