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NYSC DG tells Corps members to expect N77k monthly stipend soon
NYSC DG tells Corps members to expect N77k monthly stipend soon
Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has assured corps members that they would start receiving N77,000 minimum wage.
Speaking in Abuja when he commissioned a staff bus donated by Capital Express Insurance company, the DG said arrangements for their increased allowances to be paid have been concluded.
He assured corps members that his priority was their security and welfare, hence in 2025 they would get all benefits that they deserve.
Ahmed noted that the bus donated to the scheme for staff was to ease transportation issues.
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He noted that staff of the scheme and corps members serving in the scheme have always complained that it was difficult for them transporting themselves to and from office.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer, Capital Express Insurance company, Mr. Matthew Ogwezhi, said the scheme and his company have been in partnership for a while and the donation was part of the partnership to support the activities of the scheme.
He said the company made the donation to support the staff transportation to and from work as the price of fuel and transportation was expensive in the Abuja metropolis.
He said the legacy of every organization is the impact they make in the society they find themselves, hence, they should always give back to the society.
NYSC DG tells Corps members to expect N77k monthly stipend soon
metro
FG to take over 157 Almajiri schools from northern govs
FG to take over 157 Almajiri schools from northern govs
The Federal Government has announced plans to regain control of Almajiri schools that were originally established during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
These schools were handed over to the governors of the 19 Northern states but have since been neglected and abandoned.
The move was revealed by Idris Sani, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children (NCAOSC), during a signing event of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) in Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday.
Sani explained that the commission is working to rehabilitate the schools and restore their original purpose. He revealed that plans are underway to take over 157 Almajiri schools across the country. These schools, which were built under Jonathan’s administration, have remained largely unused after being abandoned by successive governments.
“I have directed my Chief of Staff to conclude arrangements for the takeover of 157 Almajiri schools in the country, built by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were abandoned by successive administrations in the country,” Sani said. “We have also applied to the Federal Government to help us rehabilitate them for the take-off of normal academic activities in our quest to tackle the challenges of Almajiri and out-of-school children in the country.”
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Sani emphasized the importance of a collective effort in addressing the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis. He also noted that the commission is collaborating with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) to deploy staff to the rehabilitated schools due to the large number of schools involved.
In support of the initiative, Odinaka Chimbama, the National Coordinator of CSACEFA and Policy Advisor, affirmed the coalition’s commitment to aiding the commission in its mission to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. However, Chimbama also expressed concerns regarding the inadequate funding in the education sector. She called on both the federal and state governments to increase the education budget to meet UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15-20%.
“Any nation that wants to develop must invest in education, but unfortunately in Nigeria, even the little being budgeted to the sector is not accounted for or properly utilized,” Chimbama said.
She further stressed the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of education funds. “Our work is to support government programs and policies, build the capacities of our members to hold the government accountable in education programs and policies, support the government in developing education policies, and ensure these policies are implemented,” she added.
This initiative is seen as a step toward addressing the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s educational sector, particularly the crisis of out-of-school children.
FG to take over 157 Almajiri schools from northern govs
metro
Nigeria’s military drops to 39 in global rankings
Nigeria’s military drops to 39 in global rankings
Nigeria’s Armed Forces has dropped to 39th in the 2024 Global Firepower (GFP) rankings globally. This marks the third consecutive decline after being ranked 36th in 2023 and 35th in 2022.
145 countries were considered in the annual Global Firepower review.
On the African continent, the country also slipped from third to fourth place behind South Africa, Algeria and Egypt.
The poor ranking comes despite Nigeria’s recent acquisition of advanced fighter jets and military assets, as well as reported progress in combating terrorism within its borders.
The Global FirePower ranking utilizes 60 individual factors to determine a given nation’s power index score with categories ranging from quality of military units and financial standing to logistical capabilities and geography.
Nigeria’s Power Index (PwrIndx) score for 2024 was 0.5619, with a score of 0.0000 representing the pinnacle of military strength.
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Meanwhile, Egypt retained its position as Africa’s strongest military, followed by Algeria and South Africa.
US military retains top spot for 18 consecutive year
Globally, the United States maintained its dominance, ranking first for the 18th consecutive years. Other global powers such as Russia, China, India, and South Korea rounded out the top five.
Notable African nations, such as Ethiopia, Angola, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, also appeared in the rankings, reflecting the countries’ diverse military landscape.
Nigeria’s military drops to 39 in global rankings
metro
Catholic priest quits Christianity, joins traditional religion in Anambra
Catholic priest quits Christianity, joins traditional religion in Anambra
A Catholic priest, Echezona Obiagbaosogu, has announced his resignation from the church to join African traditional religion.
Obiagbaosogu, a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, disclosed this after recently defending his PhD dissertation titled ‘Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine: A Case Study of Isieke in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State,’ according to an interview published by Starconnect Media.
In his doctoral research, Obiagbaosogu looked into the ancient African practice of rainmaking.
According to his findings, rainmaking involves a combination of natural elements, spiritual communication, and what he describes as African science.
He argued that rainmakers, known as “debia ogwu” in Igbo culture, utilise herbs, roots, and hydroscopic stones to interact with the atmosphere and influence rainfall.
Obiagbaosogu explained that there were three distinct methods of rainmaking: the use of clay tripods and concoctions, coldrone structures with fermented herbs, and psycho-spiritual techniques that rely on the power of the human mind.
Speaking about his journey, Obiagbaosogu, who was a priest for 17 years, said his decision stemmed from a deep curiosity about African spirituality and the art of rainmaking.
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He described his transition as a quest to reconnect with the cultural values and spiritual practices that have been undermined by colonial influences.
“I have come to realise that my true calling is to serve my people through the ancient traditions of our ancestors. I was a Catholic priest for 17 years before resigning to embrace the traditional African religion. The topic of my research is ‘Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine: A case study of Isieke in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State’.”
Obiagbaosogu shared that his upbringing played a significant role in shaping his beliefs, noting that his father, a Christian who still valued traditional medicinal practices, and his maternal grandfather, a traditionalist, inspired his appreciation for nature and indigenous knowledge.
He said these early influences sparked his interest in rainmaking, which became the focus of his academic research.
“Everything about this research stems from my curiosity about nature and God. The research reflects my curiosity about spirituality and the nature of God. As a priest, I had the opportunity to work in health sectors, and I understand what health is all about,” he said.
While still a seminary student, he stressed that he witnessed a family friend demonstrate rainmaking, an experience that set him on a path of academic and spiritual exploration.
“My research in rainmaking and control is rooted in finding the truth and understanding how native doctors contribute to preserving African values. I discovered that it is indeed a reality and done by dibia (native doctors). I am not turning my back on God, but rather, I am embracing the divine in a more meaningful and authentic way.”
During his research, Obiagbaosogu said he spent months studying with a renowned native doctor, learning the intricacies of rainmaking and its connection to Igbo spirituality.
He emphasised that traditional African practices should be viewed as science rather than superstition.
Catholic priest quits Christianity, joins traditional religion in Anambra
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