Reps step down bill to exempt foreign students from NYSC, favour allowance review – Newstrends
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Reps step down bill to exempt foreign students from NYSC, favour allowance review

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A bill seeking to amend the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Act, and make provision for the issuance of the exemption certificate to foreign Nigerian students while reviewing the remuneration upwards was stepped down at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Tilted “Bill for an Act to Amend the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap. N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Review Upward the Accommodation and Transport Allowances of Corps Members in line with Current realities; and for Related Matters (HBs.716, 1305, 1657, 1922, 1945 &1674)’, it was however a consolidated bill jointly sponsored by Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Hon. Eta Mbora, Hon. Abbas Adigun, and three other lawmakers.

In his lead debate, Igbakpa who was the only one present at the plenary to speak on the bill said that with the changing times, the principal act should be amended to make it optional for Nigerians who schooled abroad.

Igbakpa who referenced the case of former finance minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said it was not necessary to have subjected her to the rigours of obtaining the exemption certificate.

He also said that the monetary allowance of the serving corps members should be elevated to reflect that of graduates.

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He said, “This amendment seeks to cure three different things because the law as it is today; because of the changing realities of time, anybody that had passed the university and is serving as a corps member automatically has acquired a degree and it is the belief that this amendment should reflect in their remuneration because the N30,000 given to them as it is today is a minimum wage threshold and in line with the present reality, it would not be fair if they are given something that befits a graduate, a level 8 Officer in the public service.

“The third, as at the time the law was made, it was in such a way that we did not consider our children schooling abroad. Not long ago, a former Minister of Finance schooled abroad, was above thirty and came to Nigeria to help with the knowledge. But because of the stringent condition placed on the acquisition of the certificate of exception, there was something wrong at the end of the day. We lost that intelligence and expertise. When the NYSC law was created, Nigerians studying abroad were not considered. Nigerians schooling abroad should be issued a certificate of exemption.”

The bill however elicited several reactions from lawmakers with many opposing the exemption while favouring the upward review of the allowance.

In his contribution, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase called for strict adherence to the provisions of the principal act.

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 “Those who schooled abroad should comply with the by-laws we have set in the country. In several countries, we have programs like this. In USA, you have to serve compulsorily in the army for a year. The purpose is integration and discipline”, he said.

Also speaking, Hon. Ahmed Jaha agreed on the call to review the renumeration aspect of the Bill however disagreed with the exemption.

”Substantial part of graduates recognize the importance of NYSC because, by the time they go out, they will discover a lot of things. They have not been conversant with in their area. So, if you say it is optional, people may think it is not serious. They would make it optional and they would be reluctant to go but if you make it compulsory, definitely, everybody would go and at least, discover something outside his domain”, he said.

Amid the debate, the lead sponsor, Igbakpa opted to step it down for further consultation.

Ruling on the Bill, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila advised the Rules and Business Committee to take a holistic look at the bill and expunged the offensive parts to enable the sponsors to represent it before the House adjourned this Thursday for a two-week break to participate in the national elections.

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DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta

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DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared eight persons wanted including a professor over the brutal killing of 17 soldiers and officers in Okuama community of Delta State.

Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur; a woman, Mrs Igoli Ebi; Reuben Baru; Akata Malawa David and four other persons

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, announced this on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja.

Buba urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders particularly in the Niger Delta to help in fishing out the wanted suspects.

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Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

The ongoing teacher recruitment exercise in Osun State was disrupted on Wednesday when hackers apparently compromised the server hosting the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

The event trapped thousands of applicants at the state’s 13 scheduled examination centres.

The cyber-attack happened in the early hours of Wednesday and affected the server operated by Osun State University (Uniosun), which organised the recruiting test.

The breach led to system glitches and technical failures, frustrating applicants who had gathered at the centres to take the crucial examination.

One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the gravity of the situation to our correspondent.

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“All the systems were down after hackers breached our server overnight. It was a terrible experience at all the centres. But we later resolved some centres, while the examination has been rescheduled for others,” said the official.

Ademola Adesoji, the Public Relations Officer of the university, attributed the incident to unknown criminals.

“The damage inflicted on the server required time to resolve, resulting in an undue delay in the start of exams and necessitating the rescheduling of tests at two out of thirteen centers.

“Over the last eight or so hours, it has been a tough battle in our efforts to ensure the success of Osun State government. Examinations have concluded at 11 out of the 13 locations today. However, the two problematic centres, Osogbo and Ikire, will be rescheduled based on the Ministry’s decision,” said Adesoji.

Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise

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Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

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Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected Wednesday’s Labour Party National Convention in Anambra State.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated this in Abuja on Thursday.

Oyekanmi said INEC did not oversee the convention’s conduct.

The LP on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State.

But speaking on the change in venue, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

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“In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin City was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.

“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

(NAN)

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