The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned the recent wave of violence in Plateau State, where over 100 people were killed by suspected Fulani militias in Bokkos and Bassa local government areas. The group described the killings as a “national disgrace and a clear failure of governance.”

In a press release, CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, expressed outrage over the killings and displacement of thousands, calling on authorities to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice. Charanchi stated, “We are tired of burying our children, mothers, and elders while the government looks the other way. Plateau’s agony is Nigeria’s shame.”

The CNG attributed the massacre to a broader pattern of insecurity in the country, including Boko Haram terrorism, banditry, and ethno-religious violence. The group accused the Nigerian government of inaction and demanded urgent, decisive steps to stop the bloodshed.

The CNG also called for the immediate deployment of reinforced security personnel to flashpoints across Plateau State and other northern regions facing similar threats.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has emphasized the need to reform the scheme’s mobilization process to keep pace with the rapidly changing world. Speaking at the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilization Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu noted that the NYSC management recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies to reflect current realities ¹.

Key Areas of Focus

The NYSC aims to enhance efficiency, improve experiences for prospective and serving corps members, and sustain contributions to national development by:

• Leveraging Technology: Harnessing technology to streamline processes and improve service delivery
• Security Partnerships: Collaborating with security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for corps members
• Infrastructure Investment: Investing in infrastructure to support the growth and development of corps members
• Skill-Based Deployment: Deploying corps members based on their skills and expertise to maximize impact

Workshop Objectives

The workshop, themed “Reforming Corps Mobilization in the Contemporary Nigerian Society: Challenges and Prospects,” aims to:

• Examine the intersections of youth development, national service, and societal transformation
• Explore innovative strategies to harness the energy and ideas of Nigerian youth
• Build a more peaceful, just, and prosperous society

Nafiu urged participants from all corps-producing institutions across Nigeria to engage in robust discussions and brainstorm the challenges and prospects of the NYSC mobilization process

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party has urged Nigerians to quit deceiving themselves over the democratic status of the country.

Obi while speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time Programme said there is no iota of democracy being practised in Nigeria currently.

According to the former governor, the yardsticks used to measure democracy in a nation do not exist in Nigeria.

Obi said, “I have said it, and I maintain that there is no democracy in Nigeria today. Nigeria today is not a democratic country. Let’s stop telling ourselves lies. If you look at all the tenets and yardsticks measuring democracy, it doesn’t exist here.”Nigerian cultural tours

Describing democracy, Obi said what Nigeria has or is experiencing is not “the government we have is not of the people.”

“It is not by the people because the people didn’t vote. It wasn’t their votes. I’m not just talking about the presidency; it’s across the line. Look at what happened in Edo. Can you call that democracy?“ Obi queried.

The former governor of Anambra State who recently visited an Internally Displaced Camp in Abuja decried the condition he met the occupants of the camp.

He stated that the displaced population of the country could not afford basic amenities like school, and health care services among others.

“It is not the vote of the people. And it is not for the people. I have just told you that I went to an IDP camp where we have thousands of people. No primary health care.

“They were begging me to have one nurse, which I said I must make sure they have. They don’t even have a primary school, which again I have told them I will make sure it happens,” Obi said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed claims of introducing new N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes, labeling the reports as false. In a statement posted on X, the apex bank clarified that the information did not originate from the CBN, emphasizing that its official website is (link unavailable) ¹.

The CBN’s denial comes amid widespread misinformation suggesting that the bank planned to roll out high-denomination banknotes to reduce cash-handling costs and improve liquidity management. Some versions of the false reports even quoted a supposed Deputy Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir Jr., claiming the notes would be introduced on May 1, 2025. However, the CBN has stated that there is no Deputy Governor by that name ¹.

The fake report had also claimed that the new notes would feature portraits of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and would incorporate advanced security features. The CBN has initiated an investigation to determine the source of the false information ².

The CBN’s consistent and clear denial underscores the importance of verifying information from official sources. The public is advised to rely only on information from the CBN’s official website and statements from authorized official.

CROSS RIVER APC GRANTS GOV. OTU AUTOMATIC TICKET FOR 2027 ELECTION

In a significant development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has granted Governor Bassey Otu and his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, an automatic ticket for the 2027 General Election. This decision was announced by the party’s Chairman, Mr. Alphonsus Eba, at the APC Secretariat in Calabar on Monday.

Eba emphasized that the decision was based on the principle of continuity, stating, “Nobody changes a winning team. The governor and his deputy will fly the party’s flag in 2027” ¹. He also clarified that apart from the governor and his deputy, no other individual had been given an automatic ticket by the party.

The party’s chairman urged other aspirants to begin their consultations and return to their constituents to seek support ahead of the elections. He noted that even if Governor Otu was reluctant to run, the party would still present only one ticket with his name, as was done in 2022.

Eba also commended the deputy governor for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s actions in Rivers State and applauded the President for restoring peace in the state, preventing a political crisis ¹.

Hundreds of families of the slain Uromi hunters took to the streets, protesting the brutal killing of their loved ones. The protesters, who blocked the major road linking Toranke in Bunkure Local Government area of Kano State with Kano, carried placards with messages like “We demand justice on the killings of our people” and “Hunters are not criminals.”

The protesters demanded speedy justice and an end to the killings, with some hunters joining the peaceful protest, carrying dangerous hunting weapons. Others chanted war songs as the convoy of Edo State Governor Pastor Monday Okpebholo passed by during his visit to the area ¹.

Notably, the placards also bore messages like “Northerners killing must stop” and “Northerners

Breaking News

NYSC Begins Payment of ₦77,000 Monthly Allowance to Corps Members

In a welcome development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has commenced payment of the newly approved ₦77,000 monthly allowance to corps members across the country. According to reports by OSUN DEFENDER, several corps members received their new allowance on Wednesday, March 27, with many sharing screenshots of their credit alerts on social media ¹.

The payment, which began around 1 pm, was initially disbursed to members of the 2024 Batch A Stream 2, who are set to complete their service year on Thursday, March 28. This move aligns with the earlier promise made by NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, who assured corps members that the increased allowance would be implemented soon.

However, it has been gathered that corps members from other batches are yet to receive the ₦77,000 allowance. The Federal Government had earlier announced an increase in the monthly allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000, effective from July 2024 ¹.

The payment of the new allowance is a relief to corps members, who have been awaiting the implementation of the increased stipend. However, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the amount, given the current cost of living crisis in the country ².

In a surprise move, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, sparking intense debate and analysis. According to public affairs analyst, Amilda Fraser, this decision is a multifaceted strategy aimed at restoring order, safeguarding economic interests, and recalibrating the state’s political landscape ¹.

At the heart of this move, Fraser argues, is a deliberate attempt to weaken the influence of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the state. The emergency rule also shields Governor Siminalayi Fubara from impeachment, providing him with a temporary reprieve from political threats ¹.

Fraser notes that the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly, largely controlled by Wike’s loyalists, significantly reduces the former governor’s ability to exert political influence over state affairs. With the legislative arm out of the picture, Wike’s political maneuvering within Rivers State is temporarily curtailed, indirectly checking his power ¹.

The emergency rule also addresses rising security concerns, including incidents of pipeline vandalism, such as the recent fire on the Trans Niger Pipeline. This move provides Governor Fubara with a critical window to consolidate his political support, address internal divisions, and focus on governance, strengthening alliances, and implementing policies that could enhance his political standing ¹.

As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: President Tinubu’s decision has set in motion a complex series of events that will shape the political landscape of Rivers State for months to come.