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Negotiation ongoing for release of abducted Greenfied varsity students – Gumi
Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, says negotiations are ongoing with kidnappers of Greenfield University students and expresses the hope that the remaining 16 abducted students will be released.
He said the abductors were holding back on their threat to kill the undergraduates unless N100m ransom was paid because of the negotiations.
The Islamic scholar spoke with reporters in Kaduna after receiving parents of the freed students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, who came to thank him.
He said, “Talk is ongoing with Greenfield University students’ abductors. You know they threatened to kill all of them after a particular deadline, but after talking to them, they are now lowering their bar.
“So, we are thankful they have stopped killing. And we are still negotiating with them. I hope this Afaka case will also encourage them to know that there is hope in negotiation and release the children.”
On his role in securing the release of the 27 Afaka students, Gumi said, “The role I and former President Olusegun Obasanjo played is that of mediators because the fight is not between us and them, but between the bandits and the government.
“What we understand is that these people are trying to attack the government by attacking the institutions and take innocent children.
“Having understood that, we concluded that this is not a hopeless situation; we can go in and negotiate for the release of these children, which we did after so many ups and downs.
“But in the long run, a conclusion was reached and these children are out. So, we are happy that all of them are out and none was killed.”
Gumi did not however confirm whether there was a swap deal.
He said, “I cannot confirm that, but I can quote the Governor of Kaduna State when the children of Chibok were kidnapped by Boko Haram.
“He said it is the duty of the government to use whatever means possible to save the lives of Chibok girls.
“This is a general rule that life is more precious. Now, I am happy that 27 lives have been saved.”
Parents of the 27 Afaka students are yet to be reunited with them after 57 days in captivity.
The reunion was postponed from Thursday till Friday (today).
A statement by the parents signed by Malam Abdullahi Usman and Catherine Saleh thanked God and all those who were instrumental to the release of their children.
The statement read in part, “It is pertinent for us to effect an important correction on the number of the released students. They are 27, not 29, as reported by some media.
“The total abducted students were 39, out of which two escaped not long after the abduction. Ten were released in two batches of five each, leaving the remaining 27, who were released Wednesday, 56 days after their abduction.
“We, as parents, made several efforts to secure the release of the students. We even took our peaceful march to the National Assembly on Tuesday, presented our plight and prayed for the intervention of the lawmakers in securing the release of our children.
“We are grateful that we did not leave any stone unturned on the path to where we have arrived today.
“The 27 released students were received at a location in Kidanda, Giwa Local Government, and conveyed to Kaduna. On arrival in Kaduna, they were taken to the Police College Clinic for a medical checkup.
“We extend profound gratitude to all Nigerians and lovers of humanity at home and abroad who showed up and showed out in solidarity as we went through the dark horrendous period of waiting and hoping for the return of our children.
“We are unable to thank nearly enough everyone who stood by us and for the sacrifices you made in your various capacities financially, morally, spiritually and otherwise.
“We most especially register our immense gratitude to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abubakar Abdulsalami, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, and the Provost of the College, Dr Usman, for the various roles they played in securing the release of our children.
“We call on the government to get more serious and to aggressively pursue safe schooling as a pertinent agenda to give parents the confidence to send their children to school.
“If the schools remain as security porous as they are now, many may not find it worth the trouble to enroll their children in schools anymore.”
News
Senate Passes State Police Bill, Awaits Ratification by State Assemblies
Senate Passes State Police Bill, Awaits Ratification by State Assemblies
Nigeria moved closer to a decentralized policing system on Wednesday as the Senate passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, a landmark piece of legislation that could transform the country’s security architecture if it receives the required approval from state legislatures. The bill, which establishes a constitutional framework for the creation of State Police Services, is widely regarded as one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
If eventually endorsed by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly, the legislation will create a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, ending the long-standing monopoly of a centrally controlled police institution.
Under the proposed constitutional arrangement, states will have the authority to establish, fund and manage their own police organizations through legislation passed by their respective Houses of Assembly. However, no state police service will become operational until it satisfies nationally prescribed standards and receives certification confirming its readiness to function. Supporters of the reform argue that State Police in Nigeria will improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to security threats such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal violence and other crimes that have stretched federal security agencies.
Despite granting states greater control over policing, the bill preserves substantial powers for the Federal Government. One of the most significant provisions allows the Federal Police Service to intervene in state policing operations whenever there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order, a threat to national security, serious administrative failure or evidence that a state police organization is being used for political, ethnic, religious or sectional persecution. In such situations, the Federal Police Service may temporarily assume operational control of a state police command, subject to presidential authorization, Senate oversight and judicial review. The legislation also reserves exclusive responsibility for terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, arms trafficking, border security and inter-state crimes for the Federal Police Service.
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A major departure from the existing structure is the appointment process for State Commissioners of Police. Under the bill, governors will appoint commissioners upon the recommendation of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by their State Houses of Assembly. Removal from office will also require legislative approval. To prevent abuse, the bill expressly prohibits governors from directing police authorities to target political opponents, associations, ethnic groups or individuals for partisan purposes. State police officers are equally barred from enforcing laws in a discriminatory manner based on political, ethnic, religious or sectional considerations.
The legislation establishes State Police Service Commissions that will oversee recruitment, promotion, discipline and personnel management within state police organizations. It also proposes a restructured National Police Council to coordinate national policing policies, set minimum standards and promote cooperation between federal and state policing institutions. Speaking during debate on the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the proposal as one of the most consequential constitutional reforms undertaken by the National Assembly in recent years. According to him, the legislation seeks to address the limitations of a highly centralized policing structure in tackling modern security threats.
The Senate’s consideration of the bill attracted high-profile observers, including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila and several state attorneys-general. Their presence generated brief controversy as some senators opposed allowing non-members into the chamber during deliberations. The opposition was eventually resolved after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Bamidele reminded lawmakers that the amendment would require approval from state legislatures before becoming law. Bamidele told senators that the cooperation of state governments was essential to the success of the constitutional amendment process.
Although electronic voting devices were initially introduced for the exercise, lawmakers eventually adopted manual voting after concerns emerged that malfunctioning devices could disenfranchise some senators. The Senate subsequently conducted clause-by-clause voting through voice votes, standing votes and hand-raising procedures supervised by Senate President Akpabio. He assured lawmakers that a complete record of the proceedings would be preserved and made available for public scrutiny.
In addition to approving the State Police Bill, the Senate also passed the Police Trust Fund Bill, which is designed to strengthen funding mechanisms for policing and security operations across the country. Both bills must now secure concurrence from the House of Representatives before being transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly for ratification. For the constitutional amendment to take effect, at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures must approve it.
While the proposed reform has received support from many governors, security experts and stakeholders, concerns remain about the possibility of political interference in state-controlled police organizations. Senators Aminu Tambuwal and Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed support for the establishment of state police but emphasized the need for strong oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse. Nevertheless, the Senate’s approval represents the most significant progress in decades toward the creation of State Police in Nigeria, a reform many believe could reshape the country’s approach to security and law enforcement.
Senate Passes State Police Bill, Awaits Ratification by State Assemblies
News
Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Ex-FUOYE VC as Ambassador
Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Ex-FUOYE VC as Ambassador
Former university administrator’s nomination forwarded to Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening within one week
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm the appointment of Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) , as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate . The presidential communication was read during Wednesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and further legislative consideration .
President Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter transmitted to the upper legislative chamber, in which he noted that the nomination was made in line with constitutional provisions governing diplomatic appointments and urged lawmakers to consider the request expeditiously. “In accordance with the provisions of section 121, subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate the nomination of Professor Abayomi Sunday-Fashina as non-career ambassador/high commissioner-designate,” the letter reads. “Attached herewith is the nominee’s curriculum vitae. Whilst I hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee expeditiously, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
After reviewing the letter, Akpabio submitted the nominee to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for review and future legislative action. The committee was tasked with conducting the requisite scrutiny of the nominee and submitting its report to the Senate within one week, clearing the way for a final confirmation vote by lawmakers. The nomination comes amid the Tinubu administration’s continuous attempts to expand Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, which includes the appointment of various career and non-career envoys to represent the country in critical overseas embassies.
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Professor Fashina served as Vice Chancellor of FUOYE from February 2021 to February 2026, completing a five-year tenure widely celebrated for its strategic reforms and institutional growth. Under his stewardship, the university expanded its academic footprint significantly, with the number of faculties increasing from eight to 18, while the student population grew from about 20,000 to over 60,000. His administration executed over 160 infrastructure projects, grew the university’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 310 per cent, and recorded gains in national demand and international visibility. He also documented his stewardship in a book titled ‘Holding the Rudder: My Years Steering FUOYE’, which chronicles his navigation of university administration between 2021 and 2026. Fashina, an erudite scholar and distinguished professor of soil science, previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Ekiti State University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) at FUOYE before assuming the VC role.
Under Nigeria’s constitution, ambassadorial nominees must be screened and confirmed by the Senate before taking office. The process usually includes an evaluation of their professional background, public service record, competence, and aptitude for diplomatic posts. Non-career ambassadors are typically chosen from outside the country’s professional foreign service, including academics, politics, public administration, commerce, and other fields where they have exhibited remarkable service and leadership. Fashina, an academic and administrator, is well-known in Nigeria’s higher education industry, and his nomination is expected to draw legislative scrutiny during the screening process, when senators would assess his qualifications and readiness to represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.
If confirmed, Fashina will join a growing number of ambassadorial appointees tasked with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, strengthening bilateral relations, and promoting the country’s economic and diplomatic interests in the international community. The Senate’s examination of the nomination is likely to be completed after the Foreign Affairs Committee sends its report to the chamber next week. Upon completion of the committee’s scrutiny and submission of its report, the full Senate will hold a confirmation vote on the nomination. If confirmed, Fashina will join Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, representing the country’s interests abroad and advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of Ex-FUOYE VC as Ambassador
News
2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I: NYSC Fixes Date for Passing-Out Nationwide
2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I: NYSC Fixes Date for Passing-Out Nationwide
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has officially announced Thursday, July 9, 2026, as the passing-out date for 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I corps members across the country, marking the completion of their mandatory one-year national service.
The announcement was contained in a statement shared on the scheme’s official X platform on Wednesday and signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
According to the statement, activities leading to the passing-out ceremony commenced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with a series of programmes designed to prepare outgoing corps members for life after national service.
The pre-passing-out activities include Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) sessions organised by the NYSC in collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholders. The initiative is aimed at equipping corps members with entrepreneurial skills, career guidance and employment opportunities as they transition into the labour market.
The scheme also disclosed that corps members are undergoing registration and clearance by Local Government Inspectors (LGIs), while Zonal Inspectors are responsible for signing final clearance documents ahead of the issuance of Certificates of National Service.
According to the NYSC, only corps members who have successfully completed all statutory requirements of the national service programme, including their primary assignments, Community Development Service (CDS) obligations and final clearance procedures, will receive their certificates.
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“The Management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has approved Thursday, July 9, 2026, as the passing-out date for the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps Members.
“The series of activities heralding the event commenced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and include Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) by the NYSC and other relevant agencies, registration and clearing of corps members by Local Government Inspectors, as well as the signing of final clearance by the Zonal Inspectors,” the statement said.
The scheme added that the passing-out exercise will be conducted on a low-key basis nationwide, with the presentation of Certificates of National Service (CNS) taking place at local government offices across the country rather than through elaborate state-level ceremonies.
“The low-key event will feature the distribution of Certificates of National Service to only the deserving corps members in all the Local Government Areas of the country,” the statement added.
Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, congratulated the outgoing corps members for successfully completing their service year and urged them to remain disciplined, patriotic and committed to national development.
He encouraged them to uphold the ideals of the NYSC by serving as responsible ambassadors of the scheme in their workplaces, communities and future endeavours.
The NYSC’s Job Advisory and Counselling (JAC) programme has become a key component of the winding-up exercise, connecting outgoing corps members with employers, financial institutions and entrepreneurship support agencies to promote self-employment and reduce graduate unemployment.
The July 9 passing-out ceremony will officially bring to an end the service year for thousands of corps members deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, paving the way for them to pursue careers, higher education and entrepreneurial opportunities.
2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I: NYSC Fixes Date for Passing-Out Nationwide
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