News
Gov Kefas’ empty promises of N245,000 to NYSC members raises dust
By our correspondent
Seven months after Gov. Agbu Kefas promised to pay the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in public schools in Taraba State N245,000 each, as welfare package, the hopes of the Corp members’ are still hanging in the balance.
In September 2023, Governor Kefas reportedly announced the award of the money to the corps members serving in public schools to boost their moral towards giving out their best.
He made the announcement through a statement issued by the state Commissioner of Information and Re-orientation, Zainab Usman.
The package breakdown announced by the Commissioner showed that each corps member would get N50,000 as medical allowance, N75,000 as housing allowance and N120,000 as stipends.
The commissioner further disclosed that the governor initiated the package due to the increase in schools enrollment as a result of the government’s free basic education programme.
According to the Commissioner, “The surge in new enrollments witnessed in our primary and secondary schools over the past ten working days has necessitated immediate action,” Mrs Usman said.
“As an emergency response to the education situation, His Excellency has approved significant allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Taraba State schools, including an additional ten thousand naira to be added to their monthly allowance,” Mrs Usman continued.
“A one-time payment of fifty thousand naira as a medical allowance. An accommodation allowance of twenty-five thousand naira per term, totalling seventy-five thousand naira for three terms.
“Also, Exceptional Youth Corps members who distinguished themselves while serving in schools will be offered automatic employment opportunities.”
She further disclosed that the governor has directed the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to ensure prompt implementation of the new measures.
Our correspondent’s findings revealed that seven months after the Governor’s promise, the hopes of the corps members are still hanging in the balance.
Most of the Corps members who spoke to our correspondent but don’t want their names mentioned described the Commissioner’s statement as an ‘executive empty promises ‘.
“As I talk to you now, I still receive N6,000, not even N10,000 promised. Likewise N25,000 promised to be paid to us as accommodation fees for each term, we have not received, and also the N50,000 for medical allowances for our year of service.
” We have less than two months to complete our service year, so when will the Governor fulfill the promise.” They questioned.
Mrs Usman did not pick up calls or respond to text messages put across by our correspondent to secure her comment on the alleged Governor’s empty promises to the Youth corps members. ////
Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba, has passed away at the age of 84.
According to reports, he died peacefully on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary of the Egbira Elders Forum, confirmed the news, stating, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and leader, Prof. Tom A. Adaba, has answered the call of nature this morning. Further details about his burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Born on July 2, 1941, Prof. Adaba made significant contributions to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Between 1988 and 1992, he became the first Nigerian to serve as President of the African Council for Communication Education.
Despite calls for suspension from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police Force, the Osun State local government election proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede North Local Government Area, describing the process as peaceful and urging residents to exercise their franchise.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, cited a Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating sacked local government chairmen, while the police warned of potential security threats.
However, the Osun State government insisted on holding the election, emphasizing its commitment to obeying a court directive. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the polls.
Voting took place under tight security, with minimal commercial activity observed in Osogbo, the state capital.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, has indicated that Firmer President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the public presentation of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, The Journey of Service, held in Abuja on Thursday was not surprising.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s no-show was a result of unresolved bitterness over the 1985 coup, in which Babangida overthrew him and subsequently detained him.
According to Vatsa, Buhari may still harbor resentment, especially over being denied the chance to bid his late mother farewell while in detention.
“It Would Have Been the 9th Wonder of the World If Buhari Had Attended”
Vatsa claimed that Buhari’s absence was expected, given the deep-seated history between the two former leaders.
“The memory of the ‘mother of all betrayals’ has not left him. It would have been the ninth wonder of the world if Buhari had attended that book launch,” he said.
The APC chieftain also linked Buhari’s perceived neglect of Niger State during his eight-year presidency to his history with Babangida.
“The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and not a single federal project was executed here. The Baro Port project was abandoned, and federal roads across the state were left in disrepair,” Vatsa alleged.
He claimed that despite the overwhelming votes Buhari received from Niger State in 2015 and 2019, the state was sidelined due to the personal history between the former presidents.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Niger State paid for the sin of one man,” he lamented.
When asked for his opinion on the contents of IBB’s autobiography, Vatsa said he would reserve his comments until he has read and digested the book fully.
“There are certain things I expected to see in the book. Once I am done reading, I will invite you all for my comments,” he stated.
The book launch attracted several high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Yakubu Gowon, as well as former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Other dignitaries included former Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo, alongside traditional rulers and state governors.
Buhari’s absence, however, remained a major talking point, reinforcing speculations that the 1985 coup remains a sore point in Nigeria’s political history.
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