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Education, News

Akachi Nwoke Gives University Scholarship to 2000 Nigerian Youths

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A philanthropist, Akachi Nwoke has given university scholarships to 2000 (two thousand) Nigerian youths.

Apart from the scholarship project, the Pastor and educationist has other projects including the Free Hospitals, the Free Restaurants, and Free School projects, which is a basic education programme for over 3000 children from nursery up to secondary level, the undergraduate learn and earn project, which pays students even as they attend school.

According to Pastor Akachi Nwoke, this vision was birthed as an undergraduate at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri on the backdrop of his exclusion from the exam hall for his inability to pay his fees on time.

In his words, “Ever since I was driven out of that exam hall twelve years ago because of delay in paying school fees in FUTO, I have not seized to find ways to make sure that everyone that wants to go to school can go to school”.

The scholarship is into Emerald University, Tansian University, Covenant Polythecnic and Dorben Polythecnic.

“Congratulations to all the two thousand beneficiaries, we hope you do God and your nation proud!

“Special thanks to Dr David Ogbueli, Williams Uchemba and every inspiration that has made this possible”, he said.

News

ALGON National President Felicitates With Nigerians At Christmas, Urges Hope Amid Varied Challenges

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The National President of the Association Of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Alabi Kolade David has felicitated with Nigerians at the grassroots and across the country, urging rekindled hope despite the country’s many challenges.

A statement signed by Hon. Alabi, the National President of ALGON said, “Our dear constituents, I bring warm greetings to you on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT), Management and Staff of ALGON to you all.

“It is with apparent mixed feelings that I express both joy and weighty thoughts about this particular Christmas season when all of us across the country have in one way or the other acutely been affected by the tide of several difficulties even as it is important to rejoice in utter fulfillment and thanksgiving for life.

“In all honesty, some obvious ‘take-aways’ about 2021 have been that of mix-bag both in the political system, socio- economic impact, insecurity, business space, and health threats, especially the mestatis of COVID-19 and now the Omicron variant and so on.

Alabi Kolade David
Hon. Alabi Kolade David

“The crux is that these life gridlocks by all conviction will be overcome trusting in God genuinely, especially now that His unfailing love of Christmas will no doubt cast its healing grace on us all and enable us at the grassroots to exit from all dark cloud as God’s faithfuls”, Hon. Alabi said.

He therefore called on all of everyone at the Local Government Areas and local councils “to step up hope in God and celebrate Him no matter the trajectory. Let us remain cautious, steadfast and accessible for God’s love and peace.

“I urge us all to pray for our families, Parents Children, traditional rulers, political and Church leaders, and the country at large. Let us all remember the needy, support the homeless, the defenceless, and the sick especially at this Christmas season and beyond to renew their hope”, he noted.

He added that “ALGON will always be behind the masses and will continue to advocate that a stronger Local Governments Councils (entrenched in the Constitution) will create a more secured and progressive environment especially if we collectively resolve to make sacrifices to strengthen the system through political will, geniune participation in elections, tenure harmonization, funding, Constitution Amendment, rule of law and so on.

“In the last three years, we have been positioning Local Governments and Councils to be a breeding ground for quality leadership and offer better service delivery so that leaders will be held more accountable for their stewardship and deliver on their campaign promises. Such has been yielding good result with the support of other all tiers of government and we appreciate them.

“Interestingly, ALGON has evolved and now more people-friendly. ALGON is putting forward some radical plans to tackle rural emergencies, insecurity through intelligence gathering, peace building, ending multiple taxations on produce to reduce spike in agro-allied products, sustain the sensitization campaign on COVID-19 through hygiene, use of vaccine and other protocol”, Hon. Alabi counselled.

The ALGON National President maintained that “this Christmas therefore present another opportunity for everyone of us, especially Christians to reflect on virtues of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, who has come to dwell amongst us.

“To everyone, once again, I say “Merry Christmas!”, Hon. Alabi said.

Business, News

ATD Global Security System Consulting A Game Changer For NAMTAXS And NATIS Projects

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…As Firm Pledges Support To End Multiple Taxations On Goods And Service Nationwide

In his renewed determination to refashion and sanitize the tax regime, guarantee food security, ensure end of all manner of multiple taxations on goods and services across the country, the Managing Director of ATD Global Security Limited, Ambassador Olakunle Johnson, a multitask security service consulting firm, has announced its readiness to close ranks with the Federal Government, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), ministries, Department and Vendors, Consultants as well as all registered Certified Consultant in Nigeria to bring it to an end.

The Company through the Chairman and Managing Director stated that the resolve has become imperative in line with global standards best practices where private concerns are encouraged through enabling environment and Ease of Doing Business to stimulate, promote and harness economic opportunities as well as ensure job creation.

Ambassador Olakunle Johnson noted that such is also in an effort to appreciate the support and endorsements so far given by the Federal Ministries of Agriculture & Rural Development, Special Duties & Inter-Governmental Affairs, Transportation, Petroleum Resources etc and other relevant Departments & Agencies of Governments in ensuring that an end of Multiple taxations on commodities and other allied service were prioritized across the country.

The ATD Chief Executive Officer also recalled that as part of efforts aimed at progressively re-orientating his workforce the firm recently embarked on awareness camping and sensitization drive to promote the laudable initiative by ALGON.

He stated that thousands of prospective and passionate qualified young men and women especially within the youth brackets has been screened and inducted to it’s job opening.

To To advocate for the the most vulnerable He not d that they have been equiped with requisite training at Police Training College, Ikeja for the National Anti-Multiple Taxation Scheme devoid of extortions and racketeering.

It will be recalled that the projects has been given the political will in line with the leadership direction of the present ALGON National Executive led by the ALGON National President, Hon Alabi Kolade David, who has sought the need to give it a go ahead in line with the Constitutional responsibility of Nigerian Local Governments and Councils through ALGON it’s umbrella body as enshrined in the 4th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

The Projects are equally aimed at
supporting the Federal Governments Economic Sustainability Programme (ESP) thereby providing the enabling environment for ease of doing business, (EOD).

ATD Chief Executive observed that its backing has come at no other better time than now in compliance with the Presidential Approval through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMA&RD), which hitherto conveyed the ban on illegal collection of taxes, levies and fees on agricultural produce, Agro-Allied products and general goods on Nigerian roads.

ALGON on its part has initiated partnership programmes to drive the process with other stakeholders through the NAMTAXS and NATIS Projects.

Meantime, the ATD has enjoyed practical demonstration of
support of the Nigeria Local Governments and Area Councils to ensure zero tolerance to the multiple taxations.

Despite the modalities so far put in place by ALGON, the Federal Government and Joint Tax Board, ATD is collaborating with other critical stakeholders to ensure total enforcement, compliance and seamless operation with hope that all illegal road blocks in the country are permanently dismantled, withdrawn and removed, to reduce high cost of goods
caused by illegal taxes, fees and levies on haulage.

The ATD according to Ambassador Johnson is structured in sync with the value proposition of ALGON and the Joint Tax Board as a consultant to permanently eradicate the killings of road users by hoodlums, establish and sustain a reliable security, safety and emergency rescue measures for
drivers, farmers, traders, transporters, dealers, manufacturers miners, Markets, Motor Parks, Terminals, Warehouses, Business Centers and Infrastructures etc as well as bringing in modern technologies.

He further expressed optimism that the NATIS component of the projects which covers all categories of goods in transit on Nigeria roads, Railways, Waterways, and Air transportation, provided are well captured and enumerated into the scheme.

The ATD boss also applauded the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance
Corporation (NAIC), and Cornerstone Insurance Plc for providing Insurance cover in respect of losses on Agricultural Produce and Agro-Allied Products; General Goods as well as other
Petroleum Products respectively.

He, therefore, called for total support to the projects and appeal for an expanded corporation of all the organized private sectors, NACCIMA, MAN, NAAPD, IMAN, MAN2, NURTW, NILODA, NARTO, LUBOAN, NANTS, Amalgamated Trade Unions and Associations Nationwide to make the projects a success.

Breaking News, Business, News

Katsina MSME Council Set to Establish Border Market and Export Warehouse to Facilitate Exportation of Made in Katsina/Nigeria Products

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The Katsina State Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (KTS-MSMEs) council is to consider the establishment of border market and export warehouse to facilitate exportation of made in Katsina/Nigeria products.

This was part of the resolutions at the end of the state MSMEs council’s two-day retreat held in Kano State.

According to a communique at the end of the retreat, which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday, other resolutions and action plans include harmonisation of data on finance and beneficiaries of funding interventions in the state, which should be conducted as soon as possible.

The council also resolved that all agencies in the state responsible for training and capacity building should work in concert with Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) to provide sector specific training for Entrepreneurs in the state, and that training and capacity building for BMOs and other form of skills upgrade for members should be given priority attention going forward.

It added that training Needs Analysis is to be submitted by the BMOs to the MSME Council for consideration and that the council needs to deepen Stakeholder engagement through town hall meetings and mass media on available financial windows and regulatory matters for MSMEs in the state.

The Katsina MSMEs Council is to emulate the National in terms of composition of the Technical Implementation Committee by adopting a co-chair from the private sector while research for development is to be emphasised upon by leveraging on the educational institutions in the state.

Also, as part of the resolution and action plans was that the Katsina MSMEs Council should Commission Needs Assessment of Skills gap in the state and follow up with training Provision of Business Development Services (BDS) to increase the capacities of NMSMEs operators as well as harmonise all the Skills Training Centres in the State.

While the MSME Council is to leverage on commercial and undertaking officers at the LGAs and Business Information Centres for provision of awareness and support for Nano MSMEs to fill the financial literacy gaps, the various BMOs should appraise their financial state and the attendant gaps, and make report available to the council for possible considerations.

The MSME Council is to consider the completion of Laudable projects embarked upon by the State, just as it noted that government that has direct bearing on MSMEs should be encouraged (Common Facility Centre for MSMEs, Formation of an SPV, Integrated Textile and Garment, Establishment of Power Sub-stations and Water Supply, Special Agro Processing Zones (SAPZ) and others).

At the retreat, issues and considerations during several brainstorming sessions, presentations and exhaustive deliberations on the ways to make the MSMEs Council more efficient and responsive to prevailing exigencies of the MSMEs sub-sector in the state, centred on strategies that can hasten the growth and development of the MSMEs sector in the state.

The presentation on the reviewed National Policy on MSMEs set the tone for the proceedings leading to the formation of four syndicate groups, who eventually deliberated and made robust contributions on the ways to grow the Kano, Small and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs) Sub sector in Katsina State.

The retreat then discussed extensively the newly reviewed National Policy on MSME and implementable milestones in the state.

It also discussed and evaluated the need for continuous training and capacity building programmes to re-position the BMOs for effective service delivery to their members.

As part of the brainstorming session was deliberation on myriads of challenges faced in the MSMEs development programmes in the state, and ways to make future implementations more impactful, by deepening participation and improving on the various programmes content.

In attendance at the two-day retreat, were the Deputy Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Katsina State MSMEs Council, Qs Mannir Yakubu and the council members, SMEDAN facilitators, and members of the press.

The 2021 Katsina State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (KTS-MSMEs) Council retreat provided the platform to familiarise with, and subject to open review, the new National Policy on MSMEs and strategizes on ways to effectively provide effective and efficient service delivery to grow the MSMEs sub-sector in Katsina State.

The communique was adopted by the state deputy Governor and chairman of the Katsina State MSME, Council Permanent Secretary to the Office of the Deputy Governor, and the Permanent Secretary Katsina State Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment Ministry of Women Affairs.

It was also adopted by the DG Katsina Investment Promotion Agency, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists, National Agency for Food Drugs And Control, Raw Material Research Development Council, Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, National Association of Micro Finance Banks, Katsina Traders Association, Women Economic Empowerment and Youth Development Organisation.

Breaking News, Health, News

Health Committee Chair Wants South Africans to Vaccinate and Adhere to COVID-19 Protocols

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr. Kenneth Jacobs, has praised South African scientists for their detection of the new COVID-19 variant, which the World Health Organisation has called Omicron.

Dr. Jacobs expressed his concern about the new variant and the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. He appealed to those South African who have not been vaccinated to vaccinate, and called on all South Africans to remain vigilant and adhere to COVID-19 protocols.
“Vaccines work and save lives, and so long as there is no data suggesting that the current vaccines are not effective against the new variant there is no need to panic,” added Dr. Jacobs.

Dr. Jacobs said the committee welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address last night, especially his appeal to the South African nation for vigilance, to avoid gatherings and to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.
“We also welcome the decision of the government to keep the country on alert level 1,” added Dr. Jacobs.

Happening in Africa, Law and Order, News

Minister Submits International Labour Organization Convention to Tackle Violence, Harassment in Workplace

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South Africa’s Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi today officially handed over SA’s documents for registration and ratification with the International Labour Organization (ILO’s) convention dealing with violence and harassment in the workplace.

Minister Nxesi said the documents have been endorsed by the SA government and the instruments will now be submitted for ratification with the Director-General of the International Labour Office of the ILO. He said the submission of ratification documents has been in the making for the past two years.

“The C190 – provides a solid policy base to fight discrimination and gender based violence. The department in partnership with social partners have now developed a draft code of good practice for comment,” said Minister Nxesi.

The Minister added that of significance to the ratification was the fact that this coincides with the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence and that violence and harassment are a human rights violation and abuse and this instrument (the convention) provides a clear guideline for course of action to deal with the ‘pandemic’.

According to ILO C190 is important – because violence and harassment in the world of work cannot be tolerated.

The Convention 190 (C190) provides for protection of workers and other persons in the world of work, including employees as defined.
Once a member signs the C190, they commit to taking appropriate measures to monitor and enforce national laws and regulations regarding violence and harassment in the world of work.
The convention shall be binding only upon those members of the International Labour Organization whose ratifications have been registered with the Director-General of the International Labour Office.
It will also ensure easy access to appropriate and effective remedies and safe, fair and effective reporting and dispute resolution mechanisms and procedures in cases of violence and harassment in the world of work.

A country signing C190 has an obligation to ensure enforcement and appropriate remedies.

By submitting the instruments South Africa joins Argentina, Ecuador, Italy, Fiji, Mauritius, Namibia, Somalia, and Uruguay – that have ratified the convention.

ILO’s SA-based Executive Director Joni Musabayana said the C190 was the first Convention which truly reflect the African continent’s input.

Across West Africa, News

Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems Requires Coordinated Policies Across Sectors – FAO DG

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To make them more sustainable, the transformation of agrifood systems across Africa needs a “cross-sectoral, holistic, coherent and coordinated policy environment,” QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today at a high-level African Union (AU) event.

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CADP PP) is the AU’s main platform for agricultural policy dialogue, lessons-sharing and accountability. This year’s CAADP PP meeting, taking place over three days under the theme ‘Ending hunger in Africa by 2025 through resilient food systems’, brought together representatives from the African Union Commission, Ministers from the 55 AU Member States, and partners.

During his participation at the High Level Partners Panel event on Friday, the FAO Director-General noted that this is an “exciting time for Africa”. The discussion focused on how to strengthen institutions and increase investments to accelerate agriculture transformation and streamline efforts towards building resilient food systems aimed at ending to hunger on the continent.

Qu emphasized three key ways of accelerating change for agricultural transformation in Africa: increasing agricultural productivity; building resilience by addressing water and climate related challenges in agriculture; and increasing the use of data and digitalisation.

“FAO is committed to leveraging its expertise and experience to work with key partners and stakeholders to transform Africa’s agrifood systems for a better and brighter future for all,” the Director-General said.

The panel also included representatives from the African Development Bank, USAID and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

FAO has supported the AU on a number of projects to boost agrifood systems transformation. In 2021, FAO and the AU launched the Framework for Boosting Intra-African Trade in Agricultural Commodities and Services, a blueprint for expanding agricultural trade between African countries and unlocking the potential of the agricultural sector to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth for Africa.

FAO has also worked with the AU on the Africa Open Data for Environment, Agriculture and Land initiative, which has made Africa the first continent to complete the collection of digital land use and land use change data, and in the development of policies and strategies for country-specific plans to reduce post-harvest food losses.

Breaking News, News

National Anti-Multiple Taxations Scheme And National Transit Insurance Scheme NATIS Projects Inaugurated In Abuja

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…As ALGON Discloses Its Commitment To Make It A Success

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ALGON Hon Alabi Kolade David has said that the National Transit Insurance Scheme (NATIS) and National Anti-Multiple Taxation Scheme (NAMTAXS) is an initiative that is set to redefine tax collections in the country and address issues of rising cost of goods and services across the country which has led to inflation and high cost of goods and services.

Alabi was speaking today during his opening remarks at the inauguration in Abuja today where he was duly represented by the Deputy National President of ALGON Hon. Aminu Maifa Muazu.

In his inaugural address, the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Senator (Dr.) George Akume thanked ALGON and all the stakeholders for believing in the Projects and called for effective participation of all stakeholders to actualize the innovation aimed at achieving a zero tolerance to indescriminate extortions on the roads, including ensuring that good and services are well indemnified against losses of produce or during food haulage process.

In his contribution, the National Legal Adviser to ALGON Hon Victor Ebonka who is the also the Delta State ALGON Chairman commended the organiser for their efforts leading to the inauguration which he said will enable the states and local councils have opportunities of job creation reopened, check insecurity through meaningful engagement of the youths and promote harmony.

Highpoints of the event was the detailed presentation of an overview of the project from its rich implimentation strategy, rescue, security safety, intelligence and communication as well as it’s ICT policy content which guarantees total confidence in the overall intergerity of the projects in terms e-payment platform that enables seamless automated transmission of all funds to a bank without going through manual process.

In attendant were several certified Vendors, Stakeholders like the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation, (NAIC), NAAPED, RETAN, LOBAN, NUTRW, NACCIMA, ATD, NDLEA, CYBE 1, IPI, also in attendance was His Royal Majesty Chairman FCT Traditional Rulers Council Alhaji Yunusa MFR, MDs of four Banks: First Bank, Zenith Bank, Sun Trust and UBA amongst others numerous to mention graces the occasion.

Banks and stakeholders had some time to express their joy and solidarity to the projects which recieved their consensus endorsements.

Breaking News, News, Politics

Katsina Deputy Governor’s Wife Appointed TSO National Women Leader

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The wife of Katsina state Deputy Governor, Hajiya Mariya Buhari has been appointed as National woman leader Tinubu Support Organization (TSO).

This was contain in a appointment letter dated 14 November 2021 signed by the Director General of the organization, Hon Aminu Suleiman.

“I am pleased to inform you that your appointment is confirmed as NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER of Tinubu Support Organization (TSO).

“This is In recognition of your immense love and believe in His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Political Ideologies as well as your immeasurable contributions towards the attainment of the organization’s aims and objectives.

“The terms and conditions of your appointment as well as your expected duties shall be as contained in the Constitution of the Organization.

It is my hope and believe that this confirmation will serve as a motivation gear for you to continue to put in your utmost for the realization of the organization’s objectives,” the letter read in part.

A graduate of Kaduna Polytechnic, Hajiya Mariya Buhari is wife of Katsina State Deputy Governor, QS Mannir Yakubu.

Breaking News

Appraising NYSC’s Role in Midwifing Credible Elections

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The National Youth Service Corps has come under scrutiny in recent times regarding its relevance in the scheme of things in the country. Some stakeholders have consequently advocated for its scrapping. However, this position was countered by some schools of thought, who argued that the NYSC remains critical in the scheme of things in the country.

Another area of discourse is the involvement of the NYSC in elections in the country. It has also been argued that the participation of corps members in elections in the country has exposed them to harm, as evident in the unfortunate incident in 2011 where some corps members lost their lives as a result of electoral violence that characterised the elections in some parts of the country.
Consequently, this medium sought the views of stakeholders with regards to the role of the NYSC in nation-building and specifically in midwifing credible elections in Nigeria.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program set up by the Nigerian government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building and the country’s development. There is no military conscription in Nigeria, but since 1973 graduates of universities and later polytechnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps programme for one year.

Over the years, the scheme has evolved to play roles in some aspects of national life. One of such roles is the participation of youth corps members in elections as Adhoc staff. According to Igwe Ude, a youth empowerment advocate, he stated that the NYSC as an institution had played a critical role in the socio-economic development of Nigeria. He further asserted that there is a need for the government to continue to evolve strategies that would maximise the potentials of youths across the country.

“The NYSC is a critical component in nation-building in Nigeria. Its contribution to national development has been outstanding. Take the example of corps members as ad-hoc staff during elections. That is very critical if we must admit. Let us imagine how elections would have been without the involvement of corps members as ad-hoc staff.”

Bamidele Alolanle, a development expert, corroborated this view; he posited that the NYSC scheme has been contributing positively to sustainable growth and development in Nigeria. He averred that the challenge is that most people still see the NYSC in light of the ’80s, where the focus was exclusively that of national integration.

“The NYSC has evolved over the years into a scheme that addresses some of the contemporary challenges in the country. The recent drive with regards to skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development is a point to note. This is aside from the involvement of corps members in the conduct of elections in the country. The recent elections in Anambra state provide us with a good example of how critical the NYSC is in the conduct of elections. There was footage of the NYSC DG moving around the state encouraging corps members to give their best without compromising.”

This medium was able to gather from reliable sources that the management of the NYSC has been emphasising nonpartisanship on the part of corps members during elections. According to information collected from sources in the NYSC secretariat, it was revealed that before elections, the NYSC management sensitizes corps members on the rules of engagement during elections.

A top management staff of the NYSC, who pleaded anonymity, stated that the management of NYSC has continually emphasized fairness in the discharge of their duties during elections due to its critical role in the credibility of the electoral process in the country.

“If we recall, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would continue to use members of National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) for the conduct of elections in the country because corps members had contributed enormously to recent success and improvement in the overall conduct of elections in Nigeria.”

“This is informed by empirical evidence on how the NYSC has been instrumental to the success of elections in Nigeria. I can tell you that under the new dispensation, the DG of the NYSC has been outstanding in ensuring that the NYSC remains a partner in progress in the conduct of elections in Nigeria through numerous innovations and the Anambra elections provides us with an example that saw the DG on the ground in Anambra state to supervise the participation of corps members during the elections. This is a first and an indication of how dexterous the DG can be with regards to the operations of the NYSC.”

In a statement credited to the DG of the NYSC during the Anambra elections, he stated that corps members had written their names in the annals of history, having contributed towards the entrenchment of the credible electoral process. He enjoined them to remain impartial and perform their duties in line with the established rules.

In a similar vein, the governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, commended the involvement of the NYSC in general elections in Ekiti State. He stated that Ekiti was adjudged the freest and fairest; this was made possible because of the cooperation of stakeholders to deliver on their mandates, especially the NYSC.

This medium concludes that the role of the NYSC in midwifing credible elections in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, and it is hoped that the relevant stakeholders continue to extend support to the scheme in the fulfilment of its mandate.