News

Osun: Gov. Oyetola issues stern warning to NYSC members

Published

6 years ago

July 8, 2019

Eric

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, on Monday, warned NYSC members to eschew politics and other activities capable of jeopardising their security and peaceful coexistence with their host communities.

Oyetola gave the warning while addressing corps members at the closing/terminal parade of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2019 Batch “B” Stream1 Orientation Course, held in Ede, Osun.

The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Charles Akinola, also urged them to relate well with people in their host communities, play their roles in nation building and put the skills and training received in camp to good use.

“I want to assure you that the government is very passionate about you and that is why it keeps coming up with programmes and initiatives to help you actualise your dreams and harness fully, the potentials that are deeply rooted in you as graduate youths.

“Ensure you play your role in nation building effectively without bitterness or rancor as you put the skills and training you have acquired during your stay in camp into good use.

“Do only those things capable of promoting peace and unity in the communities where you are posted to and stay apolitical.

“Do not get involved in activities capable of jeopardizing your security and peaceful coexistence with your hosts.

“I want to assure you that the people of your host communities are friendly and peace loving. “Therefore, feel free to relate well with them and ensure you pass down the training and skills you have acquired to the people,” he said.

Mr Adegoke Adewale, the State Coordinator of NYSCin Osun, urged the corps members to accept their postings in good fate, stating that failure to accept would attract severe sanctions from the scheme.

Adewale said the Federal and the State Governments had invested so much in creating a conducive and friendly environment for corps members to discharge their duties.

The coordinator urged them to take their service year seriously, by putting the country first in all they did.

He equally advised them to take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneur Development programme of the scheme seriously, as it was designed to help them build capacity.

He said the programme was also designed to enable them to gain required entrepreneurial and hand-on-skills to cope with challenges of unemployment in the country.

Adewale asked them to be good ambassadors of the scheme and their families wherever they found themselves, wishing them a fruitful and rewarding service year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony ended with presentation of awards to some NYSC staff and corps members who distinguished themselves during the 21 days orientation programme.

News

Appeal Court Affirms Ruling Barring VIO from Impounding Vehicles, Fining Motorists

Published

17 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.

In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.

The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.

The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.

The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.

Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.

Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.

She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.

Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.

The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.

They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

News

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Dambazau, Enang, Ohakim As Ambassadors

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State and a former Chief of Naval Staff, as a non-career ambassador.

Tinubu also nominated Ita Enang, a former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, as non-career ambassadors.

News

Senate Confirms Chris Musa As New Defence Minister

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed General Christopher Musa, the former Chief of Defence Staff, as the country’s new Minister of Defence.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

Musa, who retired from the military just 40 days ago, was nominated by President Tinubu on Tuesday to succeed former Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on health grounds.

According to Onanuga’s statement, the Senate approved Musa’s appointment on Wednesday through a voice vote, following a thorough screening session during which lawmakers posed numerous questions.

“Senate confirms Gen. Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence The Senate has confirmed the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as the Minister of Defence. The Senate confirmed Musa on Wednesday via a voice vote after a rigorous screening session in which lawmakers asked him many questions,” the statement read in part.