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Stakeholders Asked FG to Enrich NYSC Scheme to Mould Employable Graduates

Stakeholders Asked FG to Enrich NYSC Scheme to Mould Employable Graduates
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has been asked to review and enrich the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to give Nigerian graduates the needed skillset and experience that will make them employable.
The federal government has also been asked to work in conjunction with international donor agencies to expand the budget to the mentorship of fresh graduates in employment skills.
These are the positions that came out of a town hall meeting of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The NJFP initiative was born from the dynamic partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). and funded by the European Union. It is a transformative youth empowerment initiative designed to address youth unemployment by connecting talented graduates with local job opportunities to strengthen their expertise while equipping them with world-class practical knowledge and relevant skills.
Speaking at the town hall meeting, one of the CEOs of the host organisations, Elevation Craft, Tongrick Byanyiko, said it would be of great impact on youth empowerment and security of the country if a large portion of the population could be enlisted into the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) and related programmes.
She said: “I don’t know how realistic it is for everyone to benefit from it, but I feel the budget needs to be expanded for more people to benefit from it.”
She added that the NYSC could also be a tool to make fresh graduates employable and it should not be seen as an institution to get corps members acclimatized with Nigerian diverse culture alone.
She said: “We know employers keep hammering on experience, NYSC should be made to give great skills to Nigerian graduates that would give them needed experience and skills that would make them employable.

“The NYSC needs to imbibe the core employability status to the scheme, so that people would know that that one year is the time for me to get the needed work experience.”
On her part, Chief of Party, Talent Management Company (TMC) North Central, Dr. Funmilayo Oyefusi said: “As a Talent Management Company (TMC) and implementing partner since July 2024 where we were onboarded/engaged as the TMC for North Central region comprising six states in Nigeria (Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and the FCT), we have registered 256 New Host
Organisations, visited and verified 349 Host Organisations, verified and found 207 Host
Organisations eligible, matched 418 Fellows with about 51 Host Organisations and 250 Fellows resumed their fellowship in North Central.
“Of course, this is an ongoing success. It is not just another project where only numbers will be looked out for but, it is more than a project/programme. It is a commitment to tackling the pressing challenges of youth unemployment while cultivating a generation of leaders equipped with world-class skills, practical expertise, and the confidence to shape Nigeria’s destiny.
She added that: “Today’s Town Hall Meeting provides us with a unique opportunity—not only to reflect on the strides we have made through NJFP but also to listen, to engage, and to inspire one another. It is a space where success stories will echo as proof of what we can achieve together and where innovative ideas will emerge to refine and expand the impact made in the lives of these Fellows.
“The young people we are empowering today are not just our future leaders; they are the change makers of today. They are the engine of growth, creativity, and resilience in every sector of our economy. And through the NJFP, we are making sure their voices are heard, their skills are sharpened, and their contributions to national development are celebrated.”
She noted the federal government has done incredibly well by having the programme as an initiative funded by the European Union and managed by the UNDP.”
She added that: “The federal government has done very well for we have been able to match 9,000 graduates to host organisations to work. What we should do further is to recruit more graduates into the programme so that we can match them with the host organisations and build their skills.”
Stakeholders Asked FG to Enrich NYSC Scheme to Mould Employable Graduates
News
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant

Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a N1 billion financial support package for the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) to facilitate kidney transplants for underprivileged patients from the state.
Demonstrating immediate commitment, Governor Zulum authorised an initial deposit of N250 million to cover transplants for 50 indigent patients.
The governor made the announcement during the 110th General Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, alongside the commissioning of the epoch-making projects at UMTH.
He confirmed that the remaining N750 million would be disbursed in three instalments.
“I am pleased to announce that Borno State government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support kidney transplant of 50 patients. I am ready to contribute N1 billion as government’s contribution towards supporting the less privileged indigenes of the State ,” Zulum stated.
“The Borno State government therefore pledges to support this initiative and is ready to provide all the partnership required to sustain the provision of kidney transplant to less privileged patients at UMTH. This is only the beginning—I promise to do even more,” he added.
Governor Zulum commended UMTH for its strides in specialised healthcare, particularly its recent successful kidney transplants.
“I was told both the patients and donors are doing very well. Indeed this is a landmark achievement and a great relieve to patients most importantly to those who cannot afford the cost of transplant,” he remarked.
Speaking on the State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (SEMAS), the governor confirmed that ten new fully equipped ambulances would be deployed across health facilities by the week’s end. This, he stressed, would bolster the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“As a Government, we pledge our full support for the sustenance and scale-up of the Maternal and Newborns Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative programme. We view it not as a standalone initiative, but as a critical complement to our broader health reform agenda,”.
“We are committed to ensuring that Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative succeeds in providing comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up and routine immunisation to protect our children from preventable diseases,” he stressed.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, lauded Governor Zulum for fostering collaboration between state and federal governments to deliver equitable, affordable healthcare.
“Governor Zulum exemplifies teamwork by working closely with the federal government to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility in Borno,” Pate said.
Chief Medical Director, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo acknowledged the state’s N500 million intervention following the 2024 floods, had helped to restore critical services, including the renovation of Trauma and Kidney Centres, procurement of medical consumables and the reactivation of oxygen plant.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Minister of Health and Social Services Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, National Assembly members, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON), the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, former deputy governor, Hon. Usman Mamman Ndurkwa and over 70 Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors.
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
News
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno

Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised three terrorists and intercepted logistics supplies during coordinated ambush operations in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Tuesday that the operations were conducted by under Operation Desert Sanity IV.
The sources said that the first ambush occurred late on July 28 at Kawuri general area, where troops lying in wait intercepted terrorists transporting logistics. On sighting the ambush team, a firefight ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
Items recovered included packs of salt, Maggi seasoning, detergents, wrappers, brassieres, hijabs, shoes, a solar panel, torchlight batteries, and packs of SIM cards.
The troops returned safely to base early on July 29.
In a separate incident around midnight on the same day, troops on patrol observed suspicious movement ahead of their location in Konduga.
An alert was sent to an ambush team already in position, which swiftly engaged the terrorists at a different axis of the local government area. One terrorist was neutralised, while others fled.
The troops recovered items from both operations and returned to base without casualties.
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
News
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons

Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two ISWAP terrorists during a fighting patrol in Aligambari village, near Gajiram in Borno State.
A reliable source told Zagazola Makama on Tuesday that the troops, acting on credible intelligence, launched a swift operation in the area at about 1:00 p.m. on Monday.
According to the source, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, killing two of them in the process.
He said that the soldiers also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one PKT machine gun and two magazines from the scene.
“The troops are currently dominating the area of responsibility with aggressive patrols to deny the terrorists any freedom of movement.
“All captured items are in the custody of the troops, and further instructions are being awaited from higher headquarters,” the source added.
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
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