By David Owei

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General O. O. Nafiu, has urged Corps Members to remain security-conscious, build lasting relationships and use social media responsibly throughout their service year.

Nafiu gave the charge while addressing the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I Corps Members during his visit to the NYSC Bayelsa State Permanent Orientation Camp, Boro Town.

Commending the Corps Members for their cheerful disposition, the Director-General encouraged them to take advantage of the diversity of the Orientation Course to build meaningful networks, noting that relationships formed during national service could prove valuable as colleagues advance into leadership and other positions of responsibility.

He also cautioned them to be mindful of their digital footprints and ensure that their online activities reflect positively on themselves and the Scheme.

On self-reliance, Nafiu urged the Corps Members to embrace the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and acquire practical skills capable of creating opportunities beyond the service year.

Earlier, the NYSC Bayelsa State Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Amaramiro Pepple, welcomed the Director-General and described the Corps Members as disciplined and committed.

Pepple assured him of adequate security and welfare arrangements in the camp, noting that the facility enjoys round-the-clock security, stable water and electricity supply, as well as adequate medical services.

The visit also featured a colourful cultural performance by the NYSC Cultural Troupe. The Director-General joined Corps Members celebrating their birthdays to cut a cake and presented cash gifts to groups in camp, bringing the visit to a memorable and lively conclusion.

By Our Correspondent

In a bid to end incessant strike by Univarsity Staff, the Federal Government has unveiled the 2026 agreements reached with academic and non-academic staff unions in tertiary institutions, describing the development as a major breakthrough towards restoring stability, improving workers’ welfare and ensuring uninterrupted academic activities.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony, said the agreements marked the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, where commitments between government and unions would be implemented as agreed.

Alausa said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to fulfilling its promises to Nigerians, stressing that an objective assessment of the government’s performance showed that more than 90 per cent of its campaign pledges had been achieved.

“Let us not allow opposition voices and candidates who have no clear understanding of the direction they want to take the country to create misinformation and disaffection among Nigerians. This is not a campaign platform, but we must assess issues objectively,” the minister said.

He described the period under the Tinubu administration as a “Nigerian renaissance,” urging Nigerians to focus on the achievements recorded in the last few years.

According to him, President Tinubu deserves another four years to continue ongoing reforms, adding that the country should judge the administration based on its actions rather than political rhetoric.

Alausa expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and support in resolving longstanding challenges affecting the education sector, saying the agreements would not have been achieved without his intervention.

He said the signing represented a historic moment after decades of unresolved agreements between government and tertiary institution workers, which had often resulted in prolonged disputes, industrial actions and disruptions to academic calendars.

The minister noted that students and families had suffered the consequences of repeated strikes, with many four-year programmes extending beyond the expected duration due to interruptions.

“When President Bola Tinubu campaigned, he promised that a four-year course would be completed in four years. Today, through his leadership, these agreements give practical expression to that pledge — a promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government would honour its obligations under the agreements, noting that public confidence would depend on effective implementation.

The agreements unveiled include the Consolidated Academic Tour Allowance (CATA) for academic unions in polytechnics and colleges of education, as well as the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tour Allowance (CONTTA) for non-teaching unions across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The minister recalled that the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was unveiled in December, adding that the newly unveiled agreements took effect from January 2026.

He confirmed that payments for both CATA and CONTTA had commenced across tertiary institutions, describing the allowances as support mechanisms for professional and operational needs of eligible personnel.

Alausa stressed that quality tertiary education was closely linked to the welfare, motivation and working conditions of staff, adding that government would continue to promote fair treatment, transparent promotion processes, occupational safety and career development opportunities.

To ensure proper implementation, the minister announced the expansion of the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee (IMC) for ASUU agreements into a single committee responsible for monitoring all agreements involving academic and non-academic unions in tertiary institutions.

He explained that the decision was informed by the success recorded when one committee handled negotiations with all unions, adding that the Federal Government was considering making the expanded IMC a permanent structure.

“We must identify challenges early and resolve them quickly rather than allow unresolved issues to damage trust or disrupt academic activities,” he said.

The minister urged government agencies, institutional councils, management teams and union leaders to cooperate with the monitoring committee and ensure accurate records and compliance with implementation guidelines.

Addressing union leaders directly, Alausa urged them to adopt dialogue before resorting to industrial action.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has your back. Do not go to the press first when there are grievances. Bring them to this committee because we have created a channel to resolve issues,” he said.

He added that strike action should not be the first option for resolving disagreements, stressing that the new agreements had removed the need for frequent industrial disputes in tertiary institutions.

According to him, the agreements contain a review clause that allows government and unions to revisit provisions every three years, creating room for adjustments through mutual discussion.

He commended ASUU, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), and other non-teaching unions for their responsible participation during negotiations.

Alausa said industrial harmony remained critical to achieving educational excellence, enabling institutions to plan effectively, sustain research activities and allow students to complete their studies without disruption.

He also praised the Federal Government Technical Institution Expanded Negotiation Committee, led by former Head of Service of the Federation, Malam Yayale Ahmed, CFR, for its dedication and commitment in reaching the agreement.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving staff welfare and maintaining a reliable academic calendar, declaring: “A four-year programme must be a four-year programme. A promise made, a promise kept.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arch. Sunday Echono, said the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the education sector is restoring confidence among tertiary institution stakeholders.

Echono, reiterated that recent engagements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reflected a new level of trust between government and education sector workers.

He disclosed that during a meeting with ASUU two days earlier, discussions focused on progress and collaboration rather than appeals for government to address unresolved issues.

“I had a very fruitful meeting with ASUU two days ago, and for the first time, our discussions did not get to the point of begging, ‘please don’t do this.’ They acknowledged that this administration has kept to its word,” Echono said.

According to him, the union described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a listening leader and requested that the message of appreciation be conveyed to the government.

The TETFund boss said the development showed that the administration was addressing critical sectors in line with its promises, with education remaining a major priority.

“Education is the centrepiece of this administration. All the unions and staff are being catered for, and our students are being given access to education regardless of the circumstances of their parents,” he said.

Echono further revealed that TETFund’s financial position had improved significantly, following a recent engagement with President Tinubu.

He said concerns over the fund’s dwindling resources had been addressed, assuring tertiary institutions that ongoing interventions and future support programmes would continue.

“I had a meeting with Mr. President on Friday, and today even TETFund is being strengthened. The account that was depleting and worried me has suddenly improved. We can assure you that all interventions and everything required of us will be delivered,” he stated.

The Executive Secretary urged stakeholders not to take the government’s commitment to education for granted, stressing that not every administration or presidential candidate would demonstrate the same level of dedication to the sector.

He described President Tinubu as a leader who prioritises education, shows compassion and is committed to maintaining stability within the nation’s tertiary education system.

“Let us not take this for granted. A president that prioritises education, a compassionate president, and a president that ensures stability in our system should be appreciated. Not every presidential candidate, and not every president, will have the same level of commitment,” Echono added.

He called for continued support and continuity in the administration’s education reforms, noting that sustained investment remained critical to securing the future of Nigerian students and tertiary institutions. signs pact to end Tertiary Varsity strikes, guarantees stable academic calendar

By Our Correspondent

In a bid to end incessant strike by Univarsity Staff, the Federal Government has unveiled the 2026 agreements reached with academic and non-academic staff unions in tertiary institutions, describing the development as a major breakthrough towards restoring stability, improving workers’ welfare and ensuring uninterrupted academic activities.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Maruf Alausa, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony, said the agreements marked the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, where commitments between government and unions would be implemented as agreed.

Alausa said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to fulfilling its promises to Nigerians, stressing that an objective assessment of the government’s performance showed that more than 90 per cent of its campaign pledges had been achieved.

“Let us not allow opposition voices and candidates who have no clear understanding of the direction they want to take the country to create misinformation and disaffection among Nigerians. This is not a campaign platform, but we must assess issues objectively,” the minister said.

He described the period under the Tinubu administration as a “Nigerian renaissance,” urging Nigerians to focus on the achievements recorded in the last few years.

According to him, President Tinubu deserves another four years to continue ongoing reforms, adding that the country should judge the administration based on its actions rather than political rhetoric.

Alausa expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and support in resolving longstanding challenges affecting the education sector, saying the agreements would not have been achieved without his intervention.

He said the signing represented a historic moment after decades of unresolved agreements between government and tertiary institution workers, which had often resulted in prolonged disputes, industrial actions and disruptions to academic calendars.

The minister noted that students and families had suffered the consequences of repeated strikes, with many four-year programmes extending beyond the expected duration due to interruptions.

“When President Bola Tinubu campaigned, he promised that a four-year course would be completed in four years. Today, through his leadership, these agreements give practical expression to that pledge — a promise made, a promise kept, and trust restored,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government would honour its obligations under the agreements, noting that public confidence would depend on effective implementation.

The agreements unveiled include the Consolidated Academic Tour Allowance (CATA) for academic unions in polytechnics and colleges of education, as well as the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tour Allowance (CONTTA) for non-teaching unions across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The minister recalled that the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was unveiled in December, adding that the newly unveiled agreements took effect from January 2026.

He confirmed that payments for both CATA and CONTTA had commenced across tertiary institutions, describing the allowances as support mechanisms for professional and operational needs of eligible personnel.

Alausa stressed that quality tertiary education was closely linked to the welfare, motivation and working conditions of staff, adding that government would continue to promote fair treatment, transparent promotion processes, occupational safety and career development opportunities.

To ensure proper implementation, the minister announced the expansion of the existing Implementation and Monitoring Committee (IMC) for ASUU agreements into a single committee responsible for monitoring all agreements involving academic and non-academic unions in tertiary institutions.

He explained that the decision was informed by the success recorded when one committee handled negotiations with all unions, adding that the Federal Government was considering making the expanded IMC a permanent structure.

“We must identify challenges early and resolve them quickly rather than allow unresolved issues to damage trust or disrupt academic activities,” he said.

The minister urged government agencies, institutional councils, management teams and union leaders to cooperate with the monitoring committee and ensure accurate records and compliance with implementation guidelines.

Addressing union leaders directly, Alausa urged them to adopt dialogue before resorting to industrial action.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has your back. Do not go to the press first when there are grievances. Bring them to this committee because we have created a channel to resolve issues,” he said.

He added that strike action should not be the first option for resolving disagreements, stressing that the new agreements had removed the need for frequent industrial disputes in tertiary institutions.

According to him, the agreements contain a review clause that allows government and unions to revisit provisions every three years, creating room for adjustments through mutual discussion.

He commended ASUU, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), and other non-teaching unions for their responsible participation during negotiations.

Alausa said industrial harmony remained critical to achieving educational excellence, enabling institutions to plan effectively, sustain research activities and allow students to complete their studies without disruption.

He also praised the Federal Government Technical Institution Expanded Negotiation Committee, led by former Head of Service of the Federation, Malam Yayale Ahmed, CFR, for its dedication and commitment in reaching the agreement.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving staff welfare and maintaining a reliable academic calendar, declaring: “A four-year programme must be a four-year programme. A promise made, a promise kept.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arch. Sunday Echono, said the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the education sector is restoring confidence among tertiary institution stakeholders.

Echono, reiterated that recent engagements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reflected a new level of trust between government and education sector workers.

He disclosed that during a meeting with ASUU two days earlier, discussions focused on progress and collaboration rather than appeals for government to address unresolved issues.

“I had a very fruitful meeting with ASUU two days ago, and for the first time, our discussions did not get to the point of begging, ‘please don’t do this.’ They acknowledged that this administration has kept to its word,” Echono said.

According to him, the union described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a listening leader and requested that the message of appreciation be conveyed to the government.

The TETFund boss said the development showed that the administration was addressing critical sectors in line with its promises, with education remaining a major priority.

“Education is the centrepiece of this administration. All the unions and staff are being catered for, and our students are being given access to education regardless of the circumstances of their parents,” he said.

Echono further revealed that TETFund’s financial position had improved significantly, following a recent engagement with President Tinubu.

He said concerns over the fund’s dwindling resources had been addressed, assuring tertiary institutions that ongoing interventions and future support programmes would continue.

“I had a meeting with Mr. President on Friday, and today even TETFund is being strengthened. The account that was depleting and worried me has suddenly improved. We can assure you that all interventions and everything required of us will be delivered,” he stated.

The Executive Secretary urged stakeholders not to take the government’s commitment to education for granted, stressing that not every administration or presidential candidate would demonstrate the same level of dedication to the sector.

He described President Tinubu as a leader who prioritises education, shows compassion and is committed to maintaining stability within the nation’s tertiary education system.

“Let us not take this for granted. A president that prioritises education, a compassionate president, and a president that ensures stability in our system should be appreciated. Not every presidential candidate, and not every president, will have the same level of commitment,” Echono added.

He called for continued support and continuity in the administration’s education reforms, noting that sustained investment remained critical to securing the future of Nigerian students and tertiary institutions.

By Uthman Baba-Naseer

The Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry has been told that a total of thirty three Corpse of the Miners that died in the Custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC) were deposited at the Minna General Hospital against the thirty seven earlier reported in the Media.

A Private Mortician in-charge of Minna General Mortuary Dr. Chinweokwu Alaribe stated this while testifying before the Judicial Commission at its resumed sitting on Tuesday in Minna..

He explained that the corpse that were brought to the hospital were thirty three as against the thirty seven that were widely reported in the media,stating that” I’m only aware that thirty three Corpse were brought in not aware of any thirty seven as reported.

“ I cannot count the corpse that was not in Mortuary,I only know that thirty three Corpse were brought to me” he said..

According to the Mortician,the Mortuary is being manage by a private individual known as Respectful care Martician and he is a staff .

Dr. Alaribe told the nine members of the Commission that on the 17th September,2027, a total of thirty three corpses were brought in to the Minna General Hospital morgue in two batches in an ambulance.

He stated that the corpse were accompanied to the hospital by two nurses from the medical unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC).

He gave the names of the Nurses as Nurse Mariam and Nurse Hauwa of the NSCDC Medical unit in Minna.

Dr. Alaribe who is also known and called “Dr. Miller” told the Commission that when the thirty three Corpses were brought and deposited at the open floor of the Minna General Hospital,it was noticed that some fluid and blood were ouzing out from their nose and mouth and some part of their skin were pilling.

He further told the Commission that out of the thirty three Corpse, twenty were released to their relatives for burial in the evening of that particular day,while ten were released in two diferen day and three of the corpses were still deposited in the mortuary yet to be released.

Answering question from the Director of Public Prosecution in the office of the Attorney General of Niger State, Mallam Nuraini Usman Baba Esq, on why he released the twenty corpses to their relatives,Dr Abaribe said,” I released the corpses because the crowd were forcing themselves in to the hospital to the point that they even destroying the gate.”

The Mortician disclosed three Corpse of Kabir Suleiman,Samuel Sambo and Emeka Emmanuel are still in the Morgue yet to be received by the relatives.

He further stated that the three corpses were kept on the order of the Presidential panel of inquiry that will come to inspect the corpse

The disclosed that the sum of one million and (N1.5m)five hundred thousand naira were deposited to the hospital by the NSCDC through Nurse Mariam being the amounth for ambulance that conveyed the Corps from their headquarters to the general hospital

Testifying earlier,the Deputy Director Land and Survey in the state Ministry of Land and Housings Umar Nagya, the Commission that the Mining site within M.I Wushishi Housing Estate,is a private layout fully registered with the Ministry of Land under Minna town planing and titled as MTP 163.

He said is owned by Gwadabawa and sold to a private individual now El-Amin University site registered as NGIS 15195 now owned by El-Amin University.

He confirmed that the Ministry of Land is aware of the Mining activities in the area but “not in official capacity”

He further confirmed that the Ministry has severally received complaint from some individuals on the activities of miners in the area stating that for the fact that the Miners in their data base do reference them to ministry of solid minerals and Niger State Urban control under the Niger State Urban Development Board.

Three witnesses separately testified before the Commission,which, included,the North Central Coordinator of the Mining Cadestral office Engr. Henry Temidayo Bolawale,the Assistant General Manager (AGM) Service Zuma Mineral Development, Dr. Abubakar Abubakar, and Director Solid Minerals in the State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Mr. Israel Kolo