LETTER TO NIGERIAN PARENTS
This is from a friend.
Dear All- Let’s be real.
I wish to start by adding the benefit of my time as a student and then resident in the UK. Living in Abuja now. The first thing that I discovered about UK-born, white, English undergraduates was that all of them did holiday or weekend job to support themselves – including the children of millionaires amongst them. It is the norm over there – regardless of how wealthy their parents are. And I soon discovered that virtually all other foreign students did the same – except status – conscious Nigerians.

I also watched Richard Branson (owner of Virgin Airline) speaking on the Biography Channel. To my amazement, he said that his young children travel in the economy class – even when the parents (he and his wife) are in upper class. Richard Branson is a billionaire in Pound sterling. A quick survey would show you that only children from Nigeria fly business or upper class to commence their studies in the UK. No other foreign students do this. There is no aircraft attached to the office of the Prime Minister in the UK. He travels on BA. And the same goes for the Royals. The Queen does not have an aircraft for her exclusive use.

These practices simply become the culture which the next generation carries forward. Have you seen the car that Kate Middleton (the wife of Prince William) drives? VW Golf or something close to it. But there’s one core difference between them and us (generally speaking), they (even the billionaires among them) work for their money, most of us steal ours
If we want our children to bring about the desired change we have been praying for on behalf of our dear country, then please, please let’s begin now and teach them to work hard so they can stand alone and most importantly be content and not having to “steal” which seems to be the norm these days.

We have Nigerian Children who have never worked for 5 minutes in their lives insisting on flying “only” first or business class and using the latest cars fully paid for by their “loving “ parents.

I often get calls from anxious parents”my son graduated 2 years ago and is still looking for a job, can you please assist!”
“Oh really! So where exactly is “THIS CHILD?” is my usual question. “Why are you the one making this call dad/mum?

I am yet to get a satisfactory answer, but between you and me, chances are that the big boy is cruising around Abuja with a babe dresses to the nines, in his dad’s spanking new SUV with enough “pocket money” to put your salary to shame. It is not at all strange to hear a 28 year old who has NEVER worked for a day in his or her life in Nigeria but “earns” a six figure “salary” from parents for doing absolutely nothing
I see them in my office once in a while, 26 years old with absolutely no skill to sell apart from a shiny CV, written by his dad’s secretary in the office. Of course, he has a driver at his beck and call and he is driven to the job interview. We have a fairly decent conversation and we get to the inevitable question- so, what salary are you looking to earn? Answer comes straight out – N250,000.00. I ask if that is per month or per annum.
“Of course, it is per month”
“Oh, why do you think you should be earning that much on your first job?”
“Well, because my current pocket money is N200,000.00 and I feel any employer should be able to pay me more than my parents.”

No wonder corruption continues to thrive. We have a society of young people who have been brought up to expect something for nothing, as if it were a birthright. Even though the examples I have given above are from parents of considerable affluence, similar patterns can be observed from Abeokuta to Adamawa.
Wake up mum! Wake up dad! This syndrome – “my children will not suffer what I suffered is destroying your tomorrow. You are practically loving your child to death.

I learnt the children of a former Nigeria Head of State with all the stolen (billions) monies in their custody, still go about with security escort as wrecks. They are on drugs, several time because of the drug, they collapse in public places. The escort will quickly pack them and off they go. What a life! No one wants to marry them.

Henry Ford said “hard work does not kill.” We are getting everything wrong in Nigeria now, including family setting. It is time to prepare your children for tomorrow, the way the world is going, only those that are rugged, hard working and smart working that will survive. How will your ward fare?
Please forward this to all parents you know…

MAKE TODAY COUNT

MAKE TODAY COUNT
Each day is given to us as an opportunity for improvement and progress. No day should leave you the way it met you. Things need to change on your inside on a daily basis and that happens when you take in information and learn something new.
Today is an opportunity for you to take a step forward and succeed like you have never succeeded before.
What makes each day count?
it is the passage of time that is converted to achievement and fulfillment. This is when we have measurable goals and specific targets. So if we achieve our targets,we have converted this day into the achievement of a particular purpose or goal.
What you do with your time is literally what you are doing with your life. This is why you cannot afford to waste your time. To waste time is to waste life. Time expended can never be recovered again.
When we set goals,we give ourselves the opportunity to convert time to progress.

THE SCHOOL CALLED MARRIAGE

THE SCHOOL CALLED MARRIAGE

Marriage is the only school where you get the Certificate before you start.
It's also a school where you will never graduate.
It's a school without a break or a free period.
It's a school where no one is allowed to drop out.
It's a school you will have to attend every day of your life.
It's a school where there is no sick leave or holidays.
It's a school founded by God:
1.On the foundation of love.
2.The walls are made out of trust.
3.The door made out of acceptance.
4.The windows made out of understanding
5.The furniture made out of blessings
6.The roof made out of faith.
Be reminded that you are just a student not the principal.
God is the only Principal.
Even in times of storms, don't be unwise and run outside.
Keep in mind that, this school is the safest place to be.
Never go to sleep before completing your
assignments for the day.
Never forget the C-word...Communicate.
Communicate with your classmate and with the Principal.
If you find out something in your classmate (spouse) that you do not appreciate,
Remember your classmate is also just a student not a graduate,
God is not finished with him/her yet.
So take it as a challenge and work on it together.
Do not forget to study the Holy Book (the main textbook of this school).
Start each day with a sacred assembly and end it the same way.
Sometimes you will feel like not attending classes, yet you have to.
When tempted to quit find courage and continue.
Some tests and exams may be tough but remember,
the Principal knows how much you can bear and yet
it's a school better than any other.
It's one of the best schools on earth;
joy, peace and happiness accompany each lesson of the day.
Different subjects are offered in this school, yet love is the major subject.
After all the years of theorizing about it, now you have a chance to practice it.
To be loved is a good thing, but to love is the greatest privilege of them all.
Marriage is a place of love, so love your spouse.
More grace from God.

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI’S 55th YEAR INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION BROADCAST ON THURSDAY 1st OCTOBER,2015.

October 1st is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.

No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition:

• Arable land
• Water
• Forests
• Oil and gas
• Coastline
• Solid minerals

We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.

Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.

Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a sea change in our democratic development. The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.

As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.

My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited. Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then.

As you know, I toured the neighboring countries, marshal a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram. Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run. That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places. 

On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost effective way. In the meantime, improvement in the power supply is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum. Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped.

In addition to NNPC, I have ordered for a complete audit of our other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation. Prudent housekeeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources that is important.

We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.

At an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the owing states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.

I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring CHANGE about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizen 

Happy Independene Celebrations. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God Bless.

5 clear signs your partner is just using you

First of all, a user is someone who brings nothing to the table but collects everything on it.  When you are deeply in love with this person, it’s hard to find out if their true character.

They can listen to your problems and ask you enough questions to know who much they can collect before talking a walk. It may not be in financial terms, they also drain you of your precious time and resources.

According to Beliefnet, here are some warning signs that your partner may just be using you:

1. They never pay for anything: A user will always make excuses and are really tight fisted. They spend a lot when it’s your turn to foot the bills but will always complain and constantly make excuses when it’s their turn.

2. They never cease to ask for help: And they don’t care if their request will put you into trouble. They get used to you supporting them because they believe you’ll always say yes. Their true colors begin to show when you start saying no to their absurd requests.

3. They’ll never inconvenience themselves for you: Users are actually the last person to depend on when you are in dire need of help. They can try to show up during emergencies but will never let you hear the end of their good deed for you. They are good at keeping scores too.

4. They are very selfish people and expect you to always support their visions and goals: They leave you drained all round, so much that you can’t muster enough strength to pursue your own dreams. They love the word “me” more than “us”.

5. They have little or no interest in your dreams: A relationship should be a mutual benefit thing but if it’s not that, then forget it. Your partner should always be your cheerleader doesn’t matter how badly you are beaten. Their strong presence in you dreams will put you back on your feet.

Happy independence day Nigeria

Quote of The Day:

Nobody should fear anything from me ,we 're not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions-----President Muhammadu Buhari (Independence Day Speech)

(News splash)

Photos: Buhari arrives New York for UN general meeting

President Buhari has arrived New York ahead of the UN general meeting. His delegation includes former Rivers and Ekiti state governors, Rotimi Ameachi and Kayode Fayemi, former house of representatives member Abike Dabiri Erewa, SSA Household & Domestic Sarki Abba, SSA Media & Publicity Femi Adesina, Senator Hadi Sirika and others.

He was received at JFK international airport by Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof Joy Ogwu, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Paul Bulus Lolo and National Security Adviser Rtd Maj. Gen. Monguno Babagana.

 

Photos: Buhari arrives France on his 3-days working visit

President Buhari has arrived France on his 3 days visit. He was received at the Pavillion de Honour, Orly International airport, Paris by H.E. Mr. Thierry Leleu, Governor of Val de Marne. Continue to see more photos

Two Nigerians charged with the murder of a 17-year-old boy in UK

Sodiq Adebayo, aged 22, Akeem Gbadamosi, 21 and Eugene Ocran, 19, have been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Marcel Addai. Marcel was stabbed in the chest on September 4 after being chased through St John's Estate in Pitfield Street, Hoxton, London on Sept. 4. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 40-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said she saw the victim being chased before falling to the ground as she watched from her nearby flat.




"There was a big chase," she said. They ran through the estate, some on bikes, some on foot. By the end of it when he died there were about 15people around him. I just heard the screams, the cries - a primal scream of death. I could really hear it. I don't know if it was one of his friends who realized that he was dead but it was the most echoing, crying noise"

Earlier statement from the Metropolitan Police indicates that Akeem Gbadamosi and Eugene Ocran were charged on Wednesday, September 9 and appeared in custody at Hendon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 10 September. Sodiq Adebayo appeared in custody at Hendon Magistrates' Court on Saturday 12 September.

1 Month Old Baby Accidentally Given Baby Formula Mixed With Vodka Instead Of Water

one month old baby girl was raced to the children’s hospital after her mother accidentally mixed her formula with vodka instead of water. The infant had a blood alcohol level of almost 0.294 – almost four times the 0.08 driving limit – when she was admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Her mother said the baby had consumed 2 oz of vodka unbeknownst to her. She said after she gave the infant her bottle on Monday night, her hands and toes became red and her legs started shaking. The 20-year-old mother, who has not been identified, told police that her 22 year old bf, Brian Smith, was staying with her and had emptied out a bottle of water on the kitchen counter and replaced it with the strong liquor without telling her. The mother said she and Smith were in their apartment when he asked if the baby had been fed. She said she had used the water bottle she always uses in the kitchen. Smith then became upset and started yelling and said he had dumped out the water and had filled the bottle with vodka, intending to take it with him. The complaint said he continued to yell at her, threw a bottle at her, pushed her and grabbed her by the neck so hard she was unable to speak. According to the complaint the young mother filed against Smith, the argument and fight continued out in a hallway and into the parking lot, which is when police arrived. When police arrived, they found Smith screaming and swearing at a group of about a dozen people gathered around a car. Officers said Smith was holding open the rear door, and a 20-year-old woman was inside the car. According to the complaint, Jones threatened officers by yelling, “Don’t effing touch me,” and went towards them with clenched fists. After a brief struggle with officers, he was handcuffed. Documents state that an officer then spoke to the woman in the car, who was crying and sobbing uncontrollably. That was when she then told the officer that Smith had choked her after she had used a water bottle filled with vodka to feed her 1-month-old child, Daviarre. Officers observed that the child’s breathing was labored and an ambulance was called. Police believe the incident was an accident, and the mother will likely not face any charges. The baby’s grandfather said it was all a big misunderstanding. “It was an honest mistake, and then it led up to a bunch of other things, and he didn’t know what to do, and he was scared,” Allen Jones said. Smith is facing charges of strangulation and battery, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. He could face nearly 10 years in prison if convicted. The baby was placed in intensive care but is expected to be released from hospital this week.

World's shortest man Chandra Dangi dies

The world's shortest man Chandra Dangi from Nepal has died. He died from pneumonia in a US hospital yesterday September 4th. He was 75. He had been sick in his home which he was treating but had traveled to the US for work where he was rushed to the hospital after his symptoms worsened Dangi was just 21.5ins, and was declared the shortest human adult ever documented in history. ‘Today, our circus is flooded with tears at the loss of the world’s smallest man...whom we lovingly called Prince Chandra.’a family friend said

Help in the fight against corruption- Buhari appeals to lawyers.

President Buhari yesterday appealed to lawyers in Nigeria to assist in his administrations fight against corruption. President Buhari who made the appeal while speaking at the 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja, said corruption is the main reason why Nigeria is where it is at the moment. He stressed that in putting an end to the menace of corruption, Nigeria needs lawyers that will never sacrifice the integrity of the legal system to cover the misdeeds of their clients, no matter how lucrative the brief may be. "I am convinced that law, lawmakers, lawyers, law courts and the law enforcement agencies all have pivotal responsibilities to discharge, if the change we seek is ever to materialise. This administration has taken on the challenge of improving security, fighting corruption and revamping the economy, among many others. The fight against corruption is a struggle for the restoration of law and order. Corruption and impunity become widespread when disrespect for law is allowed to thrive in society. Disrespect for law thrives when people get away with all sorts of shady deals and the court is unable to check them. Ability to manipulate and frustrate the legal system is the crowning glory of the corrupt and, as may be expected, this has left many legal practitioners and law courts tainted in an ugly way. In a gathering such as this, I do not need to elaborate on the way that corruption and impunity have damaged our economy. But I would like to say more on what, I believe, should be your role as legal practitioners, in helping us back to the path of rectitude. First, we need to make our courts functional and effective again. This means that we must have lawyers who take the ethics of the profession very seriously; lawyers who will not frustrate the course of justice, even though they defend their clients with all legitimate means and resources. Nigeria needs ethical lawyers who always keep the end of justice in mind and will never sacrifice the integrity of the legal system to cover the misdeeds of their clients, no matter how lucrative the brief may be.”he said

Landlord’s daughter bites off tenant’s ear over N500 PHCN bill.

There was disarray during the weekend at Oba Market Benin after a 23-year-old hair dresser named Miss Faith Idehen, had her left ear bitten off by her Landlord's daughter. According to a report by Vanguard, trouble started when the landlord's daughter demanded for N1,500, being the monthly payment for electricity bill. The hairdresser pleaded that she did not have up to that amount, but deposited N1,000 with a promise to pay the balance of N500 later in the day. She then left the compound and boarded a commercial bus to her place of work at Oba Market. Unknown to her, the landlord's daughter allegedly trailed, caught up with her at the popular Yanga Fish Market and pounced on her. Faith was reported to have fainted as she bled profusely from her left ear before passers-by and onlookers rescued her from the grip of her attacker, who threatened to deal with her entire family as she was rushed to Central Hospital. Over a balance of #500? She was eventually arrested by policemen after a 24-hour siege was laid to her residence & a Police source confirmed to Vanguard that the suspect would be charged to court for alleged assault and attempted murder.

Buhari’s Daughter, Zahra Gets New Job As An NGO Ambassador

Daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Zahra Buhari, has gotten a new job as an ambassador for a charity organization. She becomes the new ACE charity ambassador at large. ACE (Assisting Caring and Empowering) charity is a non-profit organisation making a sustainable, realistic and effective difference in the lives of Africans. The mission of the organization is to re-define the meaning of charity in Africa while providing education, literacy skills and training to African children and youths. Zahra, a medical microbiology student of the University of Surrey in England, is one of Buhari’s eight children.

Change!!! Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee: 6 Professors, 1 Activist Makes President Buhari’s List.

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption to be led by Professor Itse Sagay, a prominent professor of law and civil rights activist. The Committee’s brief is to advise the present administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Other members of the Committee which is also expected to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving recommended reforms are: (i) Prof. Femi Odekunle Professor of Criminology, Ahmadu Bello University – Member (ii) Dr. (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu Associate Professor of International Law, University of Jos – Member (iii) Prof. E. Alemika Professor of Sociology, University of Jos – Member (iv) Professor Sadiq Radda Professor of Criminology, Bayero University, Kano – Member (v) Hadiza Bala Usman Civil Society Activist – Member (vi) Professor Bolaji Owasanoye Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Member/Executive Secretary of the Committee

Armed robbers snatch Mohammed Babangida's wife's car in Kaduna

Armed robbers early Saturday August 8th stole a black colored 2015 Mercedes Benz S550 belonging to Mohammed Babangida's wife, in Kaduna. According to a senior officer in the Nigerian police, the robbery took place in Ungwan Rimi area of the town. Mrs. Babangida & members of her security detail were unharmed during the daring robbery The police source explained that the armed robbers forcibly snatched her car at gunpoint before taking away unspecified amounts of money and other valuables from her. The source told SaharaReporters that the armed robbers had probably followed Mrs. Babangida before they stole her vehicle. It was also learned that in addition to her car, the robbers stole an official rifle belonging to a member of her security detail. Source: Sahara Reporters

Buhari orders federal ministries, agencies to open treasury single account

Press statement from the presidency... President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered each and every Federal Government Ministry, Department or Agency to start paying into a Treasury Single Account (TSA) for all government revenues, incomes and other receipts. According to the directive, this measure is specifically to promote transparency and facilitate compliance with sections 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution. Henceforth, according to a statement by Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on‎ Media and Publicity, all receipts due to the Federal Government or any of its agencies must be paid into TSA or designated accounts maintained and operated in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), except otherwise expressly approved. A TSA is a unified structure of government bank accounts enabling consolidation and optimal utilization of government cash resources. It is a bank account or a set of linked bank accounts through which the government transacts all its receipts and payments and gets a consolidated view of its cash position at any given time. This presidential directive would end the previous public accounting situation of several fragmented accounts for government revenues, incomes and receipts, which in the recent past has meant the loss or leakages of legitimate income meant for the federation account. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier promised state governors at the inaugural meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, in June, that all revenues prescribed for lodgement into the federation account will be treated as such under his watch and that he will ensure strict compliance with all relevant laws on accounting, allocation and disbursement. Since then the presidency has worked with relevant agencies of the federal government to evolve this policy directive. This directive applies to fully funded organs of government like the Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Foreign Missions, as well as the partially funded ones, like Teaching Hospitals, Medical Centres, Federal Tertiary Institutions, etc. Agencies like the CBN, SEC, CAC, NPA, NCC, FAAN, NCAA, NIMASA, NDIC, NSC, NNPC, FIRS, NCS, MMSD, DPR are also affected. For any agency that is fully or partially self-funding, Sub-Accounts linked to TSA are to be maintained at CBN and the accounting system will be configured to allow them access to funds based on their approved budgetary provisions. ‎ ‘Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President (Media & Publicity) August 9, 2015

News splash

The immediate past Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has lamented the state of the Nigerian military. In an interview with Channels television, he says the last time the Nigerian army received new equipment was in 2006 and that the Nigerian military flies the oldest fighter jets in the whole world. He added that the government must build barracks for the military so that they can recruit more soldiers. In his words: “We found out that we had fifth columnist in the military that were leaking information to terrorists and then we also had challenges of serviceable equipment. “If I go down memory lane, I think the last time any piece of equipment was bought for the Nigerian army was in 2006 and how many were they? They were few.

NYSC Bars Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers, Postgraduate Students; Introduces Self-Deployment.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has barred pregnant women, nursing mothers and postgraduate students from enlisting in the national service across the country, until they are free to participate effectively. This disclosure was made by Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi during a 2-day pre-mobilisation workshop for the 2015 Batch “B” NYSC programme held in Kaduna.Olawumi stated that the exemption of pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as post-graduate students from national service was because they would not be able to undergo the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC: mobilisation, orientation, primary assignment and winding-up passing out parade. Olawumi faulted a situation whereby such categories of enlistees would be absent from the stages of the national service, only to resurface for posting to their various places of primary assignments. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also introduced a self-deployment system to enable prospective corps members choose where they wish to serve. This was part of resolutions at the end of the 2015 Batch ‘B’ pre-mobilisation workshop.

Chief of Army staff, Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah reassures Nigerians of security

Press statement from Defence Headquarters The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah has reassured Nigerians of continued security in the country despite pocket of attacks in some parts of the North East. He made this re-assurance during the interdenominational church service to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebrations 2015 at the All Saints Protestant Church Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja. He noted that Nigerian Army has made considerable success in all efforts to contain insurgency in the country “I want to reassure Nigerians that we are fighting terrorism. We need a little more time and with the support of the citizenry, it will be over as quickly as possible. The Army has made considerable success in all efforts to contain insurgency in the country”. He noted that this time last year, the military were losing equipments, territories, troops and personnel but it is the reverse now. The terrorists are rather on the run, degraded and have resorted to all acts that are designed to coax, intimidate and cause disaffection in the minds of the people as to the reality of their existence. General Minimah concluded. Special prayers were offered for the Nigerian Armed Forces In the well attended event by senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, members of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), the Nigerian Police and other Para-military Services as well as members of the public. In his sermon, the Director of Nigerian Army Catholic Chaplaincy, Reverend Father (Colonel) Charles Iroegbu described the fight against insurgency as not just a physical war but a spiritual war and therefore charged all Christians to pray without ceasing for peace to reign in Nigeria. He called on the members of the Armed Forces to work together to ensure victory and gain the confidence of the civil populace.