Buhari to Benin president: We’ll continue to work with our neighbours - Newstrends
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Buhari to Benin president: We’ll continue to work with our neighbours

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Nigeria will continue to work with its neighbourson the importance of good neighbourliness, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

He made the remarks while speaking with the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, who visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

Buhari said, “Good neighbourliness is very important in our lives. The survival of your neighbour is also your own, and we will continue to work with our neighbours in the light of this understanding.”

He recalled that on the assumption of office for the first term in 2015, one of the very first steps he took was to visit neighbouring countries – Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin – all towards forging a common understanding on crucial issues, including security, trade and development.

“And those are issues we must continue to engage on, for the good of our countries and the people. Whatever irritation that comes up must be removed,” Buhari said.

President Talon disclosed that he was in Nigeria to show gratitude to President Buhari for the robust leadership he displays in Nigeria and Africa.

Noting that the challenges of 2020 were huge, he stressed that the same challenges may remain in 2021, “and our relationship as neighbours must, therefore, remain cordial.

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2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I: NYSC Fixes Date for Passing-Out Nationwide

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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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BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

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BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday commenced one of the most significant constitutional voting exercises since the return to democratic rule in 1999, as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, several APC governors, and state Attorneys-General converged on the Red Chamber to witness deliberations on the proposed State Police and other far-reaching constitutional amendments.

The high-profile attendance immediately drew attention, with observers describing the session as a defining moment in Nigeria’s quest to reform its security architecture and strengthen its federal system.

Among those present were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, the governors of Ogun and Ondo states, as well as Attorneys-General from several states, including Anambra and Akwa Ibom.

Although some senators reportedly raised concerns over admitting non-members into the chamber during such a crucial legislative exercise, Senate leadership eventually approved their presence to observe the proceedings.

Senate Holds Closed-Door Session Before Voting

The constitutional amendment exercise was initially scheduled to begin immediately after the swearing-in of newly inaugurated senators.

However, proceedings were delayed after lawmakers entered a closed-door session lasting more than one hour following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

The executive session was understood to have focused on procedural matters ahead of voting on multiple constitutional amendment bills.

Akpabio Describes Vote as a Defining Moment

Addressing senators before the executive session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged lawmakers to put national interest above politics, describing the constitutional review as a landmark exercise that could reshape Nigeria’s governance and security framework.

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According to Akpabio, the decisions reached during the debate would influence policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations for generations.

“The decisions we take will have the potential to shape the future of policing, public safety and intergovernmental relations in Nigeria for generations to come,” he said.

Electronic Voting Debuts for Constitutional Amendments

In a significant departure from the Senate’s traditional voice vote system, lawmakers adopted electronic voting for the constitutional amendment process.

The new system digitally records every senator’s vote, displays the results on electronic screens and produces printed records, a move aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The chamber conducted successful test runs before voting commenced, marking the first constitutional amendment exercise under the 10th Senate to use the technology.

State Police Proposal Dominates Deliberations

The most anticipated proposal before lawmakers is the establishment of State Police Services, a constitutional amendment strongly backed by the Tinubu administration as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Supporters argue that decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts, while allowing states to address security issues more effectively.

If approved by the National Assembly, the amendment will still require endorsement by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Critics Warn Against Potential Abuse

Despite growing support, critics continue to express concerns that state police structures could be exploited by governors for political purposes, particularly during election periods.

These concerns have fueled calls for constitutional safeguards to ensure operational independence, accountability and federal oversight.

Other Major Constitutional Reforms Before the Senate

Beyond the State Police Bill, senators are also considering several landmark constitutional amendments, including:

  • Placing the Armed Forces of the Federation on a constitutional first-line charge for guaranteed funding.
  • Granting constitutional recognition and financial autonomy to State Councils of Traditional Rulers.
  • Introducing independent candidacy for governorship, legislative and local government elections.
  • Establishing an Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.
  • Mandating courts to commute death sentences imposed on pregnant women to life imprisonment where pregnancy is established.
  • Prohibiting the public parade of criminal suspects by law enforcement agencies in line with constitutional protections of human dignity and the presumption of innocence.
Historic Constitutional Exercise Underway

With senior Presidency officials, governors and legal experts observing from the gallery, all eyes remain on the Senate as lawmakers decide the fate of some of the most ambitious constitutional reforms proposed since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

The outcome of the vote is expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s security architecture, governance system and democratic institutions, particularly the long-debated push for State Police.

BREAKING: Senate Begins Historic Vote on State Police as Gbajabiamila, APC Govs Storm Red Chamber

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Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as New NUC Chairman

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Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as New NUC Chairman
Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe

Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as NUC Chairman

  • President charges former University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor with restoring credibility and advancing quality assurance in Nigeria’s university regulatory body.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC) . The appointment was announced on Monday, June 22, 2026, in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga .

Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned from the position less than a year after his appointment . Aina was appointed by President Tinubu in July 2025, and members of the NUC Governing Board were inaugurated in November of the same year . The appointment ushers in new leadership for Nigeria’s university regulatory body, with Ogundipe now taking over the commission responsible for regulating and coordinating university education across Nigeria .

The National Universities Commission (NUC) plays a key role in accreditation of academic programmesquality assuranceuniversity funding oversight, and maintaining standards in the country’s higher education system . His appointment is expected to strengthen governance and policy direction within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector .

Professor Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022, where he was widely recognised for his administrative leadership and academic contributions . He is a professor of Botany with expertise in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation . He obtained his PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lagos .

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At 66 years old, Professor Ogundipe currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, where he continues to contribute to institutional governance in higher education . He is a fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology, London . He has also held leadership positions such as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC) . Over the years, he has contributed to scientific research, policy development, and capacity building within Nigeria’s education and research ecosystem, earning him recognition as one of the country’s leading scholars in plant sciences and university administration .

The presidency said Ogundipe is expected to provide strategic leadership for the NUC and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s university system . According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the new chairman will focus on improving funding mechanisms, academic stability, quality assurance, and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities . President Tinubu expressed confidence that Ogundipe would help sustain credibility within the tertiary education sector in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda . The appointment is also seen as part of broader efforts to improve access to quality education and enhance the performance of Nigeria’s higher institutions .

As Chairman of the NUC Governing Board, Ogundipe will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness, and academic stability . The President expects him to provide visionary leadership and sustain the credibility of the Nigerian university system in alignment with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda by advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector .

Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as New NUC Chairman

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