Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was announced on Monday through a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka. He explained that the decision came after the governor held consultations with political leaders, elders and supporters across the state.

“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.

“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress,” the statement read.

Anka said the governor’s move was largely influenced by the internal problems facing the PDP at both national and state levels.

“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.

“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement added.

The governor’s spokesman also stated that Lawal remains focused on addressing security issues and promoting development in the North-West state.

Anka explained that the governor believed it was necessary to join a platform that offers better unity and stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.

He said the governor chose to “align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.”

The statement also revealed that the final decision followed a meeting held at the Government House in Gusau. The meeting involved senior government officials and key political stakeholders. It was coordinated by the Deputy Governor.

“The final deliberation leading to this historic decision was held at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination and leadership of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders,” the statement said.

According to Anka, the governor also thanked members of the PDP for their support during his time in the party. However, he said the prevailing political situation made the change necessary.

“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government,” it added.

Governor Lawal is among several governors expected to contest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

His defection came shortly after a Court of Appeal ruling on Monday. The court upheld an earlier order that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.

With Lawal’s move, the number of APC governors in Nigeria has now risen to 31.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

In what appears to be a daring move against the United States and its allies, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, after the cleric was appointed by the country’s Assembly of Experts.

Putin congratulated the 56-year-old on Monday. He said he believed the new leader would continue the legacy of his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in recent US-Israeli strikes.

The Russian leader said he was confident Mojtaba Khamenei would carry out his responsibilities “with honour” and unite the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials”.

Putin also reaffirmed Moscow’s position on Iran. He said Russia wished to confirm “unwavering support ‌for Tehran and solidarity with ⁠our Iranian ⁠friends”.

Iran and Russia have maintained close ties since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During the current conflict, reports have suggested Moscow may have supplied intelligence that helped Iranian forces target American positions. The White House has not denied those reports, although Russia has not formally entered the war on Iran’s side.

China has also reacted to the leadership change in Tehran. Beijing warned against any attempt by the United States or Israel to target Mojtaba Khamenei during their military campaign.

Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East has continued to intensify. Israel launched fresh air strikes on several Iranian locations, including Tehran, Isfahan and parts of southern Iran. Israeli officials said the attacks were directed at key infrastructure.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in major cities to show support for the new leader. Crowds assembled at Enghelab Square in Tehran and Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan. Many people carried Iranian flags and portraits of Mojtaba Khamenei while pledging loyalty to him.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump said any decision to end the war would involve both the United States and Israel.

“I think it’s mutual… a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,” Trump told The Times of Israel.

He also claimed the military action prevented a larger threat from Iran.

“Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything else around it… We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel,” he said.

Trump declined to comment directly on Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s new supreme leader, saying only: “We’ll see what happens.”

Diplomatic efforts to calm the crisis are also under way. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government is working with partners to reduce tensions in the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron has travelled to Cyprus for talks with President Nikos Christodoulides on regional security. France has deployed naval forces to the Mediterranean and says it will help defend British bases on the island while Royal Navy ships are absent.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior United States senator has suggested that the ongoing war against Iran could bring major economic benefits if the current Iranian government collapses.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has long supported military intervention abroad, made the remarks during an interview with Fox News on Sunday. He said it would be worthwhile for Washington to invest resources in removing Iran’s leadership.

“When this regime goes down, we are going to have a new Middle East, and we are going [to] make a tonne of money,” Graham said.

The veteran lawmaker has been one of the most outspoken supporters of the US-Israel war against Iran under President Donald Trump’s administration. He also appeared to link recent US actions abroad to control over global oil supplies.

“Venezuela and Iran have 31 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We’re going to have a partnership with 31 percent of the known reserves. This is China’s nightmare. This is a good investment,” he said.

Iran strongly rejected the claims and accused Washington of attempting to divide the country in order to control its natural resources.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States had a clear plan to weaken the country and take over its oil wealth.

“Their design is clear, their enterprise is quite obvious – they aim at partitioning our country to take illegal possession of our oil riches,” he said. “Their objective is to violate our sovereignty, defeat our people and undermine our humanity.”

Graham also warned that US and Israeli attacks on Iran could intensify in the coming weeks. He issued a strong warning to Tehran over threats to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

The senator said the US was ready to escalate military pressure.

The Trump administration has defended the strikes against Iran. President Trump said the Iranian government posed a serious danger to Americans.

“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American,” Trump said on March 2.

However, some analysts and legal experts have questioned the justification for the military action. They said the claim that Iran posed an immediate threat lacks legal backing under international law.

The conflict has also affected the global economy. Oil prices have risen above 100 dollars per barrel since the fighting began. Iranian missile and drone attacks have targeted Gulf countries that host US military bases. These include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The strikes have disrupted oil and gas production and forced several countries in the region to close their airspace.

Reports also show that Graham held several meetings with Israeli officials before the war began. He said he had discussions with members of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

“They’ll tell me things our own government won’t tell me,” Graham said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the senator also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visits. The report said Graham advised Netanyahu on how to persuade President Trump to support military action.

Netanyahu later presented intelligence information to Trump that helped convince him to approve the joint attacks on Iran, the senator said.

Israel has repeatedly claimed that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the accusation and insists its nuclear programme is designed for civilian purposes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has also said there is currently no evidence of a systematic programme by Iran to produce nuclear weapons.

Graham has supported several US military operations in the Middle East during the past two decades. These include the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as well as interventions in Syria and Libya.

During the interview, he also urged Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the fight against Iran.

“Yeah. I want them to get into the fight. We sell them weapons. Iran is striking their country; they have good capability,” he said.

Graham’s remarks also suggested that US attention could shift to Cuba in the future.

“You see this hat? ‘Free Cuba.’ Stay tuned. The liberation of Cuba is upon us. We’re marching through the world. We’re clearing out the bad guys. Cuba is next.”

A Nigerian academic, Professor Farooq Kperogi, has criticised the banking system in Nigeria, alleging that banks impose excessive charges on customers and operate in a manner that disadvantages account holders.

In a Facebook post shared on Monday, Kperogi argued that Nigerian banks operate in an environment where both financial institutions and the government appear to benefit at the expense of customers.

According to him, “Nigerian banks may be the only financial institutions in the world where the bank and the government form a tag team against the customer.”

He said customers are charged for almost every transaction related to their accounts. “They charge you when money enters your account. They charge you when money leaves your account. Then the banks charge you for the privilege of letting the money sit idly where you kept it. Your account is basically a toll gate,” he stated.

Kperogi also shared an example he said illustrated the problem. He recounted a story told by a friend who had opened a domiciliary account and deposited 500 dollars, only to discover years later that the money had been depleted by maintenance fees.

“A friend told me just yesterday that he once opened a domiciliary account and deposited $500 in it. Years later he returned to withdraw it. The bank informed him that the entire $500 had been consumed by ‘account maintenance’!” he wrote.

He questioned the justification for such charges, asking rhetorically, “Maintenance of what exactly? The air surrounding the account?”

The professor further argued that actions that would normally be considered theft if done by individuals are often accepted when carried out by banks.

“If a stranger took your money this way, we would call it theft. But when banks do it, we call it banking and then applaud when they announce billions in annual profits,” he said.

Kperogi added that what he finds most troubling is the level of acceptance among Nigerians regarding the charges imposed by banks.

“The saddest part is that Nigerians have made peace with this daylight corporate pickpocketing by banks,” he added.

By Uzair Adam

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned that Iran’s next supreme leader would not remain in power for long without Washington’s approval, as Tehran prepares to announce a successor to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nine days after joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on his compound killed Khamenei and triggered a wider Middle East conflict, Iran’s Assembly of Experts met behind closed doors and selected a new leader, members of the body said.

The clerics did not disclose the identity of the chosen candidate but indicated that an announcement would be made soon. Some members suggested that Khamenei’s 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could succeed his father.

Trump had earlier insisted that the United States should have a say in the decision and described Mojtaba Khamenei as an unacceptable “lightweight.”

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”

However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the suggestion, saying the leadership decision was solely Iran’s internal matter.

Speaking on Meet the Press on NBC, Araghchi also called on Trump to “apologise to people of the region” over the escalating war.

Mojtaba Khamenei is widely viewed as a hardline conservative, partly because of his close ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israel’s military has already issued a warning to any incoming Iranian leader, saying it would not hesitate to target them if necessary.

Israel demonstrated its military reach overnight with two new operations — air strikes on fuel depots in and around Tehran and an attack on a hotel in Beirut believed to house suspected Iranian commanders.

Warplanes hit five oil facilities near the Iranian capital, killing at least four people, according to a state oil executive, and sending thick smoke across the city.

Tehran’s governor told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency that fuel distribution in the capital had been temporarily disrupted.

A dense haze covered the city of about 10 million people, blocking sunlight as the smell of burning fuel filled the air.

Authorities warned that the smoke could be toxic and advised residents to remain indoors, although many buildings had their windows shattered by the force of the explosions.

A 35-year-old resident said the fire had been burning for more than 12 hours and that the air had become difficult to breathe.

“At first, I supported this war. After Khamenei’s death, I celebrated with my friends,” she said in a message sent to Europe. “But since yesterday, people say there is no gasoline left at the stations.”

As the conflict entered its ninth day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had enough supplies to sustain missile and drone operations across the Middle East for up to six months.

Explosions were also reported over Israel’s commercial hub of Tel Aviv after the Israeli military detected a barrage of Iranian missiles. The emergency service Magen David Adom said six people were wounded in central Israel.

Trump again declined to rule out deploying U.S. ground troops in Iran but insisted the war was close to being won despite continued Iranian attacks.

The U.S. president also spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday, according to Downing Street, after previously criticising him over Britain’s involvement in the conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said the country had so far used only first- and second-generation missiles but would soon deploy more advanced long-range weapons.

The conflict has also affected other countries in the region. Authorities in Saudi Arabia said a projectile killed two people and injured 12 in Al Kharj province after a wave of drones was intercepted near the capital Riyadh.

Kuwait reported damage to fuel tanks at its international airport, while Bahrain said a desalination plant had been hit.

Iran’s health ministry said at least 1,200 civilians had been killed and about 10,000 wounded in the war, although the figures could not be independently verified.

In Lebanon, the health ministry reported that at least 394 people had been killed in Israeli air strikes since the country was drawn into the conflict, including dozens of women and children.

Two Israeli soldiers were also killed during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.

Analysts say there is still no clear path to ending the conflict, which U.S. and Israeli officials believe could last for several weeks.

Trump suggested Iran’s economy could be rebuilt if a leader acceptable to Washington replaces Khamenei.

Meanwhile, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi warned that the war should never have occurred, saying the world “cannot return to the law of the jungle.”

During his Sunday prayer, Pope Leo XIV also called for peace, urging that “the roar of the bombs may cease, the weapons may fall silent, and space for dialogue may open.”

By Ahmed Musa Husaini

I’m genuinely fascinated by the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Center in Kano, not just because of how well-equipped it is, but also because of the quality and relevance of the courses it offers.

That center alone has the potential to, in the medium term, send 2,000 skilled Kano artisans to the European market every year. If this was the only thing Aliko Dangote ever did for Kano, I’d say he has paid his dues.

Jobs like electricians, welders, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, scaffolders, excavator operators, bricklayers, fitters, solar installers, HVAC technicians, and instrumentation mechanics are in very high demand across Europe. And this isn’t a temporary trend – it’s structural – driven by aging populations and declining birth rates. That means the demand for these skilled workers is here to stay.

Currently, Europe faces an estimated shortage of about 5 million skilled artisans, with an additional 400,000 replacement jobs opening up every year due to retirements. In the UK alone, 10,500 new electricians are needed annually just to maintain the current workforce, yet only about 7,500 apprentices are produced, leaving a huge gap.

Countries like Germany and the Netherlands offer expedited visa pathways for skilled workers in these high-demand occupations, with competitive salaries often at par with mid-level professionals, in addition to strong labor protections and social security systems.

Many countries in the Global South are already positioning their citizens to take advantage of these opportunities. In 2024, Kenya signed a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership with Germany, creating legal pathways for skilled Kenyan workers. That same year, Senegal signed its skills partnership with Germany, and Tunisia followed with the Africa Skills for Germany (AS4G) program. Earlier this year, India signed a mobility pact aimed at aligning its national qualifications with European standards, enabling mutual recognition of apprenticeship certifications.

Back home, Nigeria is also part of the Global Skills Program in construction, designed to address labor shortages in Nigeria and Germany through a partnership involving the Nigeria College of Practical Skills Enugu, the International Center for Migration Policy and Development, and private firms from Germany and Austria.

Which brings me back to the Dangote Center.

As impressive as the facility is, I believe the biggest mistake Dangote made was handing over its management to the state government. Governments, especially in Nigeria, are notoriously poor at running institutions like this. At the outset, Dangote had pledged to hire expatriates to run the center and ensure its operations and curriculum remained globally competitive. It is obvious that the pledge never quite materialized.

Going forward, Dangote should take back management of the center through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, or hand it over to a competent private operator. It would be a tragedy of historic proportions if a facility with this much potential is allowed to waste.

Just imagine the impact: 2,000 highly skilled Kano-born artisans working in Europe, each earning  €35,000-€50,000 annually. The cumulative long-term impacts of the remittances alone would transform Kano’s economy, in addition to the new ventures, diaspora connections, and cultural exchanges that would follow. Now imagine scaling that number year after year for the next decade.

That’s not just a skills center, it has the potential to be Kano’s most important incubator of wealth if properly run.

How the healthcare reforms of Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi are restoring dignity to the aged while protecting the youngest generation.

By Lamara Garba Azare

In every society, the true character of leadership is revealed not in grand speeches or towering structures, but in how it treats those who can no longer compete in the rush of daily survival. In Jigawa State, a quiet but meaningful transformation is unfolding, one that places dignity, compassion, and human wellbeing at the centre of governance.

Through the J Basic Healthcare Services for Vulnerable Citizens, the administration of Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi has woven a protective safety net around those who often struggle in silence. At the heart of the programme are elderly citizens aged sixty five years and above, men and women whose lives of labour and sacrifice helped build the very communities they now inhabit.

For many elderly citizens, the passage of time often brings not only wisdom but also frailty. The body grows tired, the bones lose their strength, and the cost of maintaining good health begins to rise beyond what many can afford. Years spent cultivating farms, trading in markets, and serving society sometimes end with fragile health and limited financial resources. Yet these are the same men and women who nurtured families, preserved traditions, and sustained the social fabric of their communities.

By guaranteeing free access to healthcare for them, Jigawa State is restoring dignity to ageing. It sends a powerful message that the twilight years of life should not be overshadowed by fear of hospital bills or untreated illness. Instead, they should live with the comforting knowledge that society remembers their contributions and values their presence.

The scale of the initiative reflects both ambition and fairness. A total of 143500 beneficiaries have been enrolled across the state, drawn from all 287 political wards. Each ward accommodates 500 individuals within the programme, ensuring that the benefits reach every corner of the state. Among these beneficiaries are elderly citizens who now have guaranteed access to treatment in primary and secondary healthcare facilities without the burden of financial strain.

This policy goes far beyond the provision of medical services. It represents a redefinition of the relationship between government and the governed. A society that cares for its elderly is one that understands continuity. Elders are not merely older citizens; they are custodians of memory, guardians of tradition, and living bridges between the past and the future. Protecting their wellbeing strengthens the moral foundation upon which communities stand.

Governor Umar Namadi has consistently emphasized that the programme is not an act of charity but a duty of leadership. When elderly citizens receive the healthcare they deserve, families become more stable and communities become stronger. Healthy grandparents remain sources of wisdom and emotional support within households, guiding younger generations with the lessons of experience.

The programme also extends its protective embrace to another vulnerable group, children under the age of five. This thoughtful balance between caring for the oldest and protecting the youngest reflects a deep understanding of social development. Early childhood is a delicate stage of life when illness can shape the course of a child’s future. Access to free healthcare during these formative years can mean the difference between fragile beginnings and healthy growth.

By safeguarding children at the dawn of life while protecting the elderly in their later years, Jigawa State is nurturing the full circle of human existence. It is a reminder that development is not merely about roads and buildings but about the health and wellbeing of people across generations.

The J Basic Healthcare programme was carefully designed to ensure transparency and inclusiveness. Community leaders, civil society organisations, and healthcare workers played key roles in identifying beneficiaries. This grassroots approach not only ensures fairness but also strengthens public confidence in the programme’s implementation.

Beyond this initiative, the state government continues to invest in broader health sector reforms. Primary healthcare centres are being revitalised across communities, new general hospitals are under construction, and specialised services such as free dialysis treatment for renal patients are being provided. Together, these efforts form a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving public health and expanding access to quality medical services.

At a time when rising healthcare costs continue to push many families into poverty, the Jigawa initiative offers a refreshing example of what compassionate governance can achieve. It demonstrates that public policy, when guided by empathy and foresight, can shield vulnerable citizens from hardship while strengthening social stability.

The true impact of the programme will not only appear in official statistics. It will be seen in the elderly farmer who can now manage his blood pressure without worrying about medical bills. It will be felt by the grandmother who visits a clinic without depending entirely on her children for financial assistance. It will be reflected in the laughter of a child whose illness is treated early enough to ensure a healthy future.

These quiet transformations are the building blocks of a healthier society. When the elderly are cared for and children are protected, communities become more resilient and families become more secure. Healthy citizens contribute more productively to society, and productive societies build stronger economies.

Governor Umar Namadi’s approach therefore carries a deeper philosophical meaning. It reminds us that genuine progress is not measured solely by economic statistics or physical infrastructure but by the quality of life enjoyed by ordinary citizens. It shows that leadership guided by compassion can shape policies that preserve dignity while creating opportunity.

In the final analysis, the strength of a society is not measured by the wealth it accumulates but by the care it extends to those who once carried its burdens and those who will inherit its future. By protecting the elderly and nurturing young children, Jigawa State is quietly planting the seeds of a healthier and more humane tomorrow.

Under the watch of a caring leader like Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi, governance takes on a deeper meaning. It becomes not merely the exercise of authority but the practice of service. And when leadership chooses compassion over indifference, it leaves behind something far greater than policy. It leaves behind hope, dignity, and a legacy that generations will remember.

Lamara Garba Azare, a veteran journalist, writes from Kano.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued 19 people who were abducted in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The operation took place around Gidan Dogo after security forces received intelligence about the hideout of suspected terrorists linked to the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area of Bwari.

Captain Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Guards Brigade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. He said soldiers carried out the mission with support from personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.

“The operation was launched following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin area of Bwari,” Itunuoluwa said.

According to him, troops confronted the suspects during the operation. The encounter led to an exchange of gunfire.

“During the operation, troops made contact with the bandits, leading to a firefight in which one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled the scene with suspected gunshot wounds,” he said.

He stated that security personnel later searched the area and recovered weapons. All the kidnapped victims were also rescued during the operation.

“Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated firearm. Additionally, all 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety,” he added.

The army spokesman said the troops have returned to their base in Bwari. He noted that the rescued victims are currently receiving care.

Itunuoluwa also said the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, praised the troops and other security operatives who participated in the mission.

“The brigade will continue to intensify operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rid the territory and its environs of terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities,” he said.

Onasanya also reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to protecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and ensuring the security of Abuja as the nation’s capital.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has authorised 50,000 extra slots for the 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation. The decision aims to accommodate the increasing number of graduates waiting to participate in the national service programme.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, announced the development in Abuja during the inauguration of a remodelled clinic at the scheme’s National Directorate Headquarters. The event also marked his first anniversary in office as the chief executive of the organisation.

A statement issued by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, explained that the additional slots have already been included in the scheme’s 2026 budget.

Nafiu also said provisions had been made in the Federal Government’s 2027 budget plan to improve the quality of corps members’ kits as well as their feeding and transportation allowances.

He stated that the scheme plans to mobilise about 450,000 prospective corps members in 2026. He added that safety remains a major consideration during deployment.

“This year, we are mobilising about 450,000 prospective Corps members and, as much as possible, we avoid deploying them to red zones. We remain mindful because we owe parents the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of their children,” he said.

The NYSC boss noted that the renovation and upgrade of the headquarters clinic formed part of efforts by the current management to improve staff welfare and operational efficiency.

Nafiu also reviewed other achievements recorded during his first year in office. He said the 2025 promotion exercise for staff was conducted to improve career growth and raise morale within the organisation.

He added that the management facilitated the payment of peculiar allowances for staff and retirement benefits for former personnel. According to him, the scheme also completed a recruitment exercise to strengthen its operational capacity.

Nafiu further disclosed that the NYSC received a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus as a donation to improve transportation for staff and corps members.

He said the scheme is also working to strengthen its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme through partnerships with other institutions.

According to him, the NYSC has partnered with the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University to digitise the SAED platform.

He added that the management has also worked with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), and other stakeholders to boost support for the scheme.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who commissioned the remodelled clinic, said the facility would help improve staff welfare and productivity.

Olawande assured that the ministry would continue to support the NYSC in its efforts to serve Nigerian youths.

“We are working to transform and reform the NYSC. We are doing everything possible to secure the future of our Corps members,” the minister said.

He also advised corps members to avoid travelling at night for security reasons.

“When you are travelling and it is getting late, locate the nearest military barracks, police station or NYSC office and spend the night there,” he advised.

A senior Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, has alleged that Iranian forces captured several American soldiers. However, the United States military has rejected the claim and described it as false.

Larijani made the claim on Saturday in a post on X. He accused Washington of attempting to conceal the alleged incident.

“It has been reported to me that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner. But the Americans claim that they have been killed in action,” Larijani wrote.

He also insisted that the truth would eventually emerge. “Despite their futile efforts, the truth is not something they can hide for too long.”

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) quickly dismissed the allegation. A spokesperson for the command told Al Jazeera that no American soldiers had been captured.

“The Iranian regime’s claims of capturing American soldiers are yet another example of its lies and deceptions,” the spokesman said.

The exchange of claims and denials comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The situation worsened after joint air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. Reports indicate that the attacks killed more than 1,000 people. Those reported dead include Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls and several senior military officials.

The conflict has increased instability across the region. Tehran has also carried out retaliatory attacks on locations linked to the United States in several parts of the Middle East.