200 Osun Students Get Financial Literacy Training from NDIC

200 Osun Students Get Financial Literacy Training from NDIC

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has taken its financial inclusion and literacy campaign to secondary schools in Osun State, training about 200 students drawn from 10 public schools across the state.

The training programme, organised by the NDIC in Osogbo on Friday, was part of activities marking the annual World Savings Day and aimed at promoting savings culture and financial literacy among young Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, the NDIC Assistant Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Mr Adegbenga Fabuyi, said the initiative was designed to expose students to the workings of Nigeria’s financial system and integrate all segments of society into the formal financial sector.

Fabuyi explained that the programme focuses on capacity building, sensitisation and the development of entrepreneurial skills that would help students become financially responsible and economically independent in the future.

According to him, inculcating the culture of savings at an early age remains critical to achieving sustainable financial inclusion and long-term economic stability.

“This programme is geared towards building their capacity, equipping and sensitising them on entrepreneurial skills so that, as they grow up, they develop the drive to acquire skills, set up businesses and save towards achieving their future career goals,” he said.

He added that the financial inclusion drive of the NDIC aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda of bringing Nigerians across all social and economic strata into the formal financial system.

“Our goal is to ensure that everyone, whether in the private, public or informal sector, understands how the financial system works, how it benefits them and the rules that guide participation,” Fabuyi stated.

The NDIC official further stressed that financial inclusion is closely linked to financial literacy, noting that individuals must understand financial products and services before engaging in savings, investments and other financial activities.

“You need to be financially literate before you can save or invest. You need to understand the services available, how to relate with your banks and even the capital market,” he added.

Also speaking, Mr Abolarinwa Tunde of the Public School Department, Osun State Ministry of Education, who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Education, disclosed that the participants were selected from Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas.
He said 200 students, comprising 20 students from each of the 10 public schools, participated in the programme.

Meanwhile, the NDIC has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening financial literacy and promoting a savings culture among secondary school students nationwide.

Recently, the Corporation reiterated this commitment in Sokoto State, where its Zonal Controller, Mr Bello Usman-Kaoje, addressed students during a financial literacy training held at Government Day Secondary School, Kalambaina.
The Sokoto exercise brought together students from various secondary schools across the state, further underscoring NDIC’s sustained nationwide effort to equip young Nigerians with essential financial knowledge.

Youth Forum demand visionary leadership for national rebirth, says Nigeria drifting into danger

From Mike Okoh

Kaduna.

The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has cautioned that Nigeria is drifting into dangerous territory due to leadership failure, rising insecurity, and economic hardship, urging young Nigerians to rise and chart a new course for national rebirth anchored on integrity, accountability, and visionary leadership.

Speaking during a press conference held on Monday in Lagos, President of the Forum, Comrade Olajide Filani Toriah, said the gathering was not another lamentation of the nation’s woes but a patriotic awakening to rescue Nigeria from systemic decay.

Toriah said Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads as citizens continue to bear the brunt of poor governance and economic mismanagement that have left the country struggling to fulfill its promise of greatness.

He noted that insecurity, corruption, and policy inconsistency have combined to push millions of Nigerians into poverty and despair, while public confidence in leadership continues to decline.

While buttressing his points on the press conference theme, “Nigeria the Way Forward: UNYF Setting the Pace in Nigerian Politics – The Emergence of a New Nigeria, Toriah recalled the words of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who in 1981 declared that Nigeria was seriously ill and warned of frightful dangers ahead for a nation that fails to look beyond selfish interests.

He reiterated that more than four decades after that warning, the condition of the country has deteriorated even further, as insecurity, economic instability, and moral decay continue to threaten national unity.

The UNYF president observed that from one administration to another, successive leaders have failed to confront the root causes of Nigeria’s crisis, allowing insurgency, banditry, and communal conflicts to destroy lives and livelihoods across the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions.

He disclosed that millions have been displaced, farmers cannot access their lands, traders are unsafe on the highways, and families live daily in fear of abduction and violence.

He said, “Nigeria’s economy, once a source of pride for Africa, has become fragile due to mismanagement, weak institutions, and inconsistent policies that have eroded investor confidence and deepened the suffering of ordinary citizens. The continuous fall of the naira, rising inflation, and the high rate of unemployment have pushed millions of Nigerians into untold hardship, while many young people now seek survival through irregular migration and crime.

“The current situation should serve as a wake-up call to those in authority, warning that the time has come for leaders to either step up or step aside for competent and visionary citizens to steer the country toward genuine progress. As we approach the 2027 general elections, it must not be another cycle of mediocrity and corruption, but a turning point for Nigeria to rediscover its soul through the emergence of credible and patriotic leadership.

“Nigeria’s problem is not merely economic or political but a crisis of vision, integrity, and accountability and rebuilding the nation requires a new moral consciousness driven by young people who are ready to take responsibility and reject the culture of indifference that has held the country hostage for decades.”

Toriah maintained that despite constitutional guarantees that place the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government, the present reality across the country shows a tragic contradiction where lives are wasted with impunity and justice is often delayed or denied.

While reaffirming the Forum’s commitment to promoting unity, accountability, and visionary leadership, Toriah said the youth must take charge of their destiny and ensure that the dream of a new Nigeria is not lost to corruption and indifference.

He reiterated that the time for excuses is over, stressing that the Forum’s guiding vision remains anchored on a common resolve expressed in the slogan “One Youth, One Dream, One Destiny” and called on the youth to rise above ethnic, religious, and political differences to unite for national renewal and charge young people across the country to take responsibility for their future and make this generation the one that refused to give up until the dream of a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria is achieved.

2027: UNYF Calls for Youth Ambassadors to Drive National Renewal

By Mike Okoh

Kaduna.

The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has decried the rising cost of nomination and expression-of-interest forms imposed by political parties, describing it as a major obstacle to youth participation in governance.

This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Forum’s Patriotic Awakening Event and National Youth Convention held on Saturday at the historic Arewa House, Kaduna, with the theme “Nigeria the Way Forward: UNYF Setting the Pace in Nigerian Politics – The Emergence of a New Nigeria.”

The gathering, which attracted over 500 delegates drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including policymakers, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and student leaders, provided a platform for young Nigerians to deliberate on national issues and chart a new course for youth inclusion in leadership.

UNYF National President, Comrade Olajide Toriah Filani, who signed the communiqué, lamented that the exorbitant cost of nomination forms had turned politics into a business venture reserved for the wealthy elite rather than a platform for service.

“Our democracy cannot grow when capable young Nigerians are financially excluded from contesting elective positions. Political participation should be driven by competence and ideas, not by the depth of one’s pocket,” Filani said.
The Forum accused political parties of creating structural and financial barriers that discourage youth involvement, calling for urgent reforms to institutionalize inclusiveness, promote internal democracy, and create space for emerging leaders across all levels of governance.

Delegates further noted that despite constituting over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population, youths remain underrepresented in decision-making processes due to economic hardship, political marginalization, and lack of mentorship.

The communiqué also identified poor leadership, corruption, and absence of national vision as the root causes of the country’s underdevelopment. It urged political actors to prioritize merit, competence, and character in leadership recruitment rather than relying on patronage or personal ambition.

While expressing concern over the incessant strikes in tertiary institutions, the Forum called on the Federal Government and academic unions to embrace genuine dialogue and invest more in research, innovation, and digital education to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills for the modern economy.
The Forum equally decried Nigeria’s growing debt profile and overreliance on borrowing, urging government at all levels to embrace fiscal discipline and promote productivity in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology-driven sectors.

It further resolved that protests in the Nigerian system have become counterproductive as they are often hijacked by miscreants, adding that the most effective protest in a democracy is expressed through active political participation and the ballot box.

“The New Nigeria we desire will not emerge by chance but through visionary leadership, unity, and responsible youth engagement. Our duty as young Nigerians is to rebuild the nation with integrity, discipline, and patriotism,” the communiqué added.

The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum reaffirmed its commitment to national unity, peace, and progress, pledging continued collaboration with government institutions, civil society, and development partners to promote youth empowerment, accountability, and innovation-driven governance.

Coalition Slams Kebbi Gov Over Poor Governance, Defends Malami

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Organisations (CACSO) has come hard on Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, over what it described as “governance by propaganda,” while rising in stout defence of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, against what it called orchestrated media attacks.

Addressing a press conference at the prestigious Arewa House in Kaduna on Sunday, CACSO said the recent smear campaign against Malami, allegedly propagated by a faceless group known as the Concerned Northern Forum, was nothing but a politically motivated distraction, aimed at diverting attention from the failures of the current administration in Kebbi State.

“The people of Kebbi are facing a steady decline in governance, insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, and worsening poverty. Rather than tackle these issues, the government is sponsoring baseless attacks on Malami, a man whose record in public service remains unblemished,” said Comrade Aminu Abbas, CACSO’s National Coordinator.

The coalition insisted that since leaving office, Malami has neither been invited nor indicted by any anti-corruption agency, a rarity in Nigeria’s political landscape describing the former AGF’s post-office reputation as “clean and respectable.”

CACSO further faulted the governor’s recent donation of N30 million to Pastor Paul Enenche during a religious crusade, which the pastor reportedly rejected and advised should be redirected to public institutions in need.

“At a time when hospitals are without basic equipment, schools are collapsing, and rural communities are pleading for protection, this donation exposes the governor’s lack of empathy and disconnect from the reality on ground,” Abbas stated.

The coalition also decried what it termed a breakdown of professional oversight in contract execution across the state. According to them, many projects under the current administration have suffered due to poor supervision, resulting in substandard and abandoned works.

“Even the contracts that were awarded are not properly supervised, and the contractors are doing substandard work,” the group lamented.

CACSO dared Governor Idris to come forward with a verifiable scorecard and defend his stewardship rather than hiding behind media proxies.

“Let him show physical evidence of development. Leadership is not about optics or media headlines, but impact,” the group charged.

On the growing political shift in the state, the coalition noted the rising popularity of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a sign of public disenchantment with the ruling administration. They said attempts to discredit Malami are part of a wider effort to stifle emerging political alternatives.

“We have no allegiance to any politician or party. Our loyalty is to the people of Northern Nigeria. This is not about Malami; it is about truth, justice, and accountability,” CACSO stressed.

The group called on Governor Idris to abandon “the politics of distraction” and return to Kebbi to address the issues that matter to the people. “The moment demands seriousness, not showmanship. Kebbi deserves progress, not propaganda,” it declared.

ADC Coalition: UNYF slams Atiku, El-rufai, Mark, Others set to launch people-driven movement in September

ADC Coalition: UNYF slams Atiku, El-rufai, Mark, Others set to launch people-driven movement in September

Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani, President UNYF

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By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has taken a swipe at the recently announced coalition of political heavyweights under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing it as a platform for recycled leaders with entrenched interests, disconnected from the real aspirations of Nigerians.

In a strongly worded statement signed by its National President, Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani, the forum described the gathering featuring former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, and former Senate President David Mark as a “coalition of people with vested interest” and “generals without roots” who have contributed immensely to the political and socio-economic decline of the country since 1999.

“The same people that sat and formed a coalition under ADC are the ones who ruined Nigeria from 1999 till date. Some of them were even active players in legitimising military regimes. They are not the change Nigeria needs,” the statement read.

UNYF accused many in the coalition of having deep-rooted ties to corruption, noting that several members have been recurrent names in graft investigations and high-profile probes.

“These are people whose names have consistently featured in corruption allegations, many of whom have been frequent visitors to anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. Nigerians must ask: who among them can boldly claim not to have looted the national treasury? Their past records are clear. This so-called coalition should be seen for what it is an elite bargaining table, not a people-oriented movement,” it added.

According to the group, the ADC-led alliance lacks ideological clarity, integrity, and the vision necessary to reposition Nigeria. It maintained that rather than being a platform for national rebirth, the coalition is a strategic retreat by displaced powerbrokers desperate to reclaim lost influence.

UNYF, which identifies itself as the umbrella body of Nigerian youth working in synergy with civil society organisations, student unions, and ethnic nationality groups, announced plans to unveil a new political platform in September.

“We have been on the ground, building bridges and mobilising a robust national platform that reflects the true aspirations of Nigerians. This is not a coalition of recycled politicians. This is a coalition of purpose; a principled, purposeful, people-oriented coalition driven by values and not personal ambition. We won’t be naming it yet, but Nigerians should watch out,” the group declared.

Comrade Filani revealed that the youth-led coalition would be formally launched in Kaduna by mid-September through a national assembly of visionary young leaders and progressive stakeholders from across the six geopolitical zones. He added that party documentation has already been submitted to the relevant authorities.

Unlike the elitist ADC arrangement, the proposed movement, according to UNYF, will be rooted in values of transparency, justice, and national renewal, while deliberately excluding individuals whose political records are defined by self-interest and systemic failure.

“We reject the ADC coalition and everything it stands for. It is not the answer to Nigeria’s search for national rebirth. We urge Nigerians to disregard it. The real coalition is coming, and it is founded on truth, transparency, prosperity, and generational renewal,” the group affirmed.

Comrade Filani added that the forthcoming platform would reflect the urgency and resolve of Nigeria’s younger generation to take responsibility for the country’s future.

“Our generation will not be given to excuses because we are responsible. We will firstly unite Nigeria from the North to the South and the East to the West. Only when we are united can genuine prosperity come,” he declared.

Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Filani concluded: “Success is moving from one failure to another without losing enthusiasm. We have the capability and capacity to revive, reshape, reform, remake, rework, rebrand, and remould Nigeria.”

He further noted that the youth-driven initiative has engaged in consistent consultations with student associations, traditional institutions, professional groups, faith-based organisations, and regional youth bodies, all united under a shared vision of a new Nigeria built on equity, innovation, and integrity.

Concerned Northern Forum Rejects Malami’s Guber Ambition, Tags Him ‘A Political Liability’

By Peter Simon, Abuja

Comrade Sanni Mohammed briefing journalists in Kaduna

The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF), a foremost civil rights advocacy group in Northern Nigeria with over four million registered members, has declared its opposition to the reported governorship ambition of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), describing him as a “recycled political liability” and “unfit to hold public office.”

Speaking at a world press conference held Thursday at Arewa House in Kaduna, the Convener of the group, Aliu Sanni Mohammed, said the Forum could no longer remain silent while individuals with controversial public records continue to seek political rehabilitation at the expense of the people.

“As Nigerians and stakeholders in the politics of Kebbi State, we categorically reject Mr. Abubakar Malami’s ambition to contest for the governorship seat in 2027 or any political office at all,” the CNF declared.

According to the Forum, Malami’s tenure as AGF was riddled with allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and gross betrayal of public trust, including his alleged interference in anti-graft investigations, questionable wealth accumulation, and acts that undermined Nigeria’s justice system.

The group cited several instances of Malami’s alleged misconduct, including his purported orchestration of the removal of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and the subsequent appointment of his loyalist, Abdularasheed Bawa, who was also later removed under a cloud of controversy.

They also condemned what they described as the “flamboyant and insensitive lifestyle” of the former minister, pointing to reports of lavish spending during his son’s wedding in 2021 amidst nationwide economic hardship. The group recalled how Malami allegedly gifted his son a multi-million-naira mansion and flew guests to Kano in private jets, actions they claim are unbefitting of someone seeking to lead a state battling socio-economic challenges.

“How can someone who allegedly diverted over ₦800 billion in recovered loot and paid double legal fees for already completed services now parade himself as a redeemer of Kebbi State?” the group queried, referencing allegations from civil society organisations and the House of Representatives.

CNF further accused Malami of abandoning the All Progressives Congress (APC) the platform that brought him to national prominence for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in what it described as a desperate move to regain political relevance.

“His defection to ADC and his empty rhetoric about patriotism and security are laughable and should not deceive anyone. His time in office only brought pain, setbacks, and division,” the statement added.

The Forum used the opportunity to throw its weight behind the incumbent Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris Mohammed, praising his achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security, which they said have earned him broad-based support across party lines.

They warned that allowing Malami to return to public office would amount to rewarding failure and empowering impunity, insisting that Northern youths would resist any attempt to impose him on the people.

“Malami represents everything wrong with Nigeria’s political system, arrogance without substance, influence without merit, and ambition without accountability. Kebbi State cannot afford such regression,” the group stated emphatically.

The press conference ended with a strong call to the people of Kebbi and Nigerians at large to remain vigilant and reject what the Forum described as “desperate attempts by failed politicians to return through the backdoor.”

Nigeria Youth Forum decries harsh living conditions despite rising FAAC allocations

By Our Reporter

As Muslims across Nigeria mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has extended warm Sallah greetings to the Muslim faithful, praying for peace, unity, and prosperity for the nation.

In a message signed by its President, Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, the Forum felicitated with Muslims on the occasion of Sallah, urging Nigerians to reflect on the values of sacrifice, compassion, and community support that the festival represents.

However, the group expressed concern over the prevailing economic hardship, lamenting that many citizens are unable to celebrate this year’s Sallah with dignity due to worsening living conditions.

UNYF said that the rising poverty and dependence on alms during such an important religious festival reflect the failure of governance at all levels, calling on Nigerian youths to rise and demand accountability from their leaders beyond election periods.

“It is disturbing that despite the doubling of FAAC allocations, the suffering of the people continues without relief. The government must explain why there is no visible improvement in citizens’ welfare,” the Forum stated.

The group warned that political leaders should prioritize governance over the 2027 elections, stressing that their primary focus should be addressing hunger, poverty, unemployment, health crises, insecurity, and the growing number of out-of-school children.

“The least our leaders should be thinking about is how to retain power in the next election. Their energy should be channeled toward solving the problems that threaten our national stability and the dignity of our people,” it said.

The Forum reminded Nigerian youths that they make up over 70 percent of the voting population and have the power to demand good governance and transparency. It urged them not to wait for campaigns to begin before asking the right questions.

“This is not the time for politics but for governance. Leaders must be held to account now, not later. Nigerian youths must take responsibility for their future by engaging constructively and consistently,” the group emphasized.

UNYF also called on other youth organizations to unite in the effort to hold leaders accountable, regardless of religion or political affiliation, reminding public office holders that they will eventually account for their actions before God.

“Leadership should not be a means to enrich oneself. It is a sacred duty to serve humanity with sincerity and humility. We must build a culture of accountability and selfless service,” the statement concluded.

Nigeria bleeding while leaders chase shadows – NYF laments insecurity

By: News Editor

A youth  group under the auspices of Nigeria Youth Forum, (NYF) has raised serious alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that the country is drifting dangerously into a state of anarchy as citizens continue to pay the price for the government’s failure to act decisively.

The Forum in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna  by its National President, Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani, described the ongoing killings in Benue, Zamfara, Katsina, Borno and Plateau states, alongside emerging terror-linked groups in Kwara State, as a coordinated assault on national stability.

The group outrightly rejected the security summit proposed by the National Assembly, dismissing it as a repetitive and ineffective measure that has never produced meaningful results.

“We have no confidence whatsoever in the National Assembly’s proposed security summit. It will amount to another round of talk shows and hollow communiqués. If the president had sacked just one GOC or Commissioner of Police over the atrocities in these states, others would have sat up by now,” Felani stated.

The group warned that Nigeria is bleeding and that those entrusted with protecting lives and property appear more concerned with political maneuvering than confronting the national emergency.

“Nigeria is bleeding while our leaders chase shadows. Every week, the country is plunged into fresh chaos, and all we get are recycled press statements and condolence messages,” the group lamented.

To back its position, the coalition cited a recent BBC Hausa report, which revealed that no fewer than 3,610 Nigerians were killed by bandits and Boko Haram insurgents between January and March 2025. According to the report, Niger State recorded the highest number of deaths with 631 persons killed, 251 abducted, and 178 separate attacks. Zamfara followed with 585 deaths, 918 abductions, and 250 attacks.

In Borno State, 514 people were killed, 357 kidnapped, and 397 attacks recorded. Katsina witnessed 341 killings and 495 kidnappings across 247 incidents, while Kaduna recorded 106 deaths and 128 violent attacks. Sokoto and Kebbi states also suffered 184 deaths collectively within the same period.

Additional data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put the total number of Nigerians killed within the past year at over 614,000, with 2.2 million abducted across the country. Similarly, figures from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), analysed by Premium Times, revealed that between May 2023 and May 2024 alone, 4,556 fatalities and 7,086 abductions occurred across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

The North-West led with 1,475 deaths and 4,343 abductions, followed closely by the North-Central which recorded 1,444 deaths, mostly from banditry, communal clashes and cult-related violence, along with 1,321 abductions. 

In the North-East, at least 819 persons were killed and 688 abducted from 408 violent incidents. The South-South zone had 336 deaths and 295 abductions, while the South-East witnessed 310 fatalities and 214 kidnappings. In the South-West, 172 deaths were recorded alongside 225 abductions during the period under review. Another report from Beacon Consulting stated that 13,346 Nigerians were killed and 9,207 abducted in 667 out of 774 local government areas between May 2023 and September 2024.

It could be recalled that  the member representing Damboa, Gwoza and Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno state, Hon. Ahmadu Jaha, while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, decried the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP, revealing that insurgents now deploy weaponized drones more advanced than those in the Nigerian military’s arsenal.

He said, “At one point, 22 of Borno State’s 27 local government areas were under terrorist control,” Jaha warned. “If we fail to act decisively now, Nigeria risks the kind of collapse that befell empires like Rome, whose leaders ignored the threat until it was too late.”

The Forum echoed his concerns, describing recent attacks in Uromi (Edo), Jos (Plateau), and parts of Kaduna as clear signs of an expanding warfront. It warned that what began as farmers-herders clashes has evolved into highly coordinated attacks by foreign mercenaries and well-armed bandit networks.

“Tuareg fighters, Berbers, and war-hardened militias from the Sahel have infiltrated Nigeria’s porous borders. These are not random attacks; they are planned operations with strategic objectives,” Felani said.

The group cautioned that Nigeria risks descending into full-scale war if urgent and far-reaching actions are not taken immediately.

“If this trend continues, banks will close, markets will shut down, and the economy will grind to a halt. Checkpoints will be manned by militias. Those dreaming of escape will be trapped behind barricades manned by lawless armed groups,” the statement warned.

It further noted that blaming indigenous Fulani communities for the crisis is misguided, stating that many of the attacks are carried out by foreign elements who have exploited Nigeria’s weak border control and institutional gaps.

“This is not a tribal war. It is a national threat enabled by state failure. If Rwanda’s history taught us anything, it is that status and wealth won’t shield anyone when the system collapses,” the group said.

The Forum concluded by calling for immediate reforms within the security architecture, increased funding, deployment of modern warfare technologies, and political will from the presidency to halt the country’s descent into chaos and equally advocate for more budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector as a means to reduce unemployment and curtail insecurity, sincerely, we should have no business with hunger and poverty, because there are over 84million hectares of arable land of which 35% are in used by Nigerians mostly on subsistence farming which can only feed their families only, but if the government do the needful, the nation will be the agricultural hub of African.

Corporation declares readiness to defend allegations in defunct bank dispute

…As court adjourns suit involving BIPC, Law Firms to June 19

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Makurdi

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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has expressed its readiness to defend its role in the lingering financial dispute surrounding the collapse of the defunct AllStates Trust Bank Plc.

Counsel to the Corporation, Michael Iorngee, stated this on Monday during the resumed hearing at the Federal High Court, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

According to Iorngee, the Corporation was fully prepared to present its defence but regretted that the court was not ready to proceed with the hearing. “We came prepared for our defence, and we are ready at any time,” he said.

The suit, brought before justice Muhammad Salisu Abubakar in 2011 involve one of several litigations arising from transactions between the defunct AllStates Trust Bank Plc and the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), involves complex financial arrangements including loan facilities, pledged share collaterals, and alleged mismanagement of assets.

Documents show that BIPC, a former customer of the bank’s Makurdi branch, obtained several credit facilities before the bank’s license was revoked on January 16, 2006. These included an advance loan of N13 million, a term loan of N550 million, an APG facility of N397.9 million, and another advance of N15 million.

At the point of revocation, BIPC’s outstanding debt stood at N230,599,919.93.

To secure the loans, BIPC had deposited original share certificates in several blue-chip companies, including Julius Berger Plc, Benue Cement Company Plc, UAC Nigeria Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, NAL Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and others.

However, the defunct bank reportedly forwarded some of these certificates to its stockbrokers—Rolex Securities Ltd. (later GMT Securities & Asset Management Ltd.)—for verification and perfection of its interest.

Contrary to instructions, the brokers allegedly sold off the shares through another firm, Solid Rock Investment and Securities Ltd., and remitted only N4 million via a Zenith Bank cheque dated March 11, 2005.

Further unauthorized sales reportedly took place in 2010 and 2013, escalating the dispute.

As liquidator of the failed bank, NDIC has been drawn into the legal battle, which also involves several Benue-based law firms.

The matter has been adjourned to June 19, 2025, for further hearing.

Benevolence: 1,000 Beneficiaries Sit For JAMB Under BOYA Education Support Project

By Our Correspondent

In a major boost to educational development in Adamawa State, 1,000 young Nigerians under the BOYA Education Support Project have successfully sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), courtesy of the Free JAMB Registration initiative sponsored by Barr. Aliyu Wakili Boya.

The initiative, a flagship intervention of the Honourable Member representing Fufore/Song Constituency in Adamawa State and Chairman House Committee on Police Institutions aimed at empowering indigent students, saw beneficiaries take their Computer-Based Tests (CBT) across designated centers in the state at no personal cost, following full sponsorship by Barr. Boya.

Speaking after the examinations, the beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude to the philanthropist for his intervention, pledging to uphold the values of hard work, dignity, and service. They assured Boya of their determination to excel and serve as worthy ambassadors of their communities.

In a symbolic move, the students unanimously adopted the title of “BOYA Ambassadors,” pledging commitment to promoting peace, unity, and educational advancement in line with the vision espoused by Barr. Boya.

The BOYA Education Support Project, according to observers, has not only lifted financial burdens off hundreds of families but has also reinforced the critical role of educational empowerment in securing the future of Nigerian youth.

One of the beneficiaries, Amina Bashir, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, said: “We are grateful to Barr. Aliyu Wakili Boya for believing in us and investing in our future. We promise to make him proud and represent our constituency with dignity.”

Similarly, Ahmed Ibrahim and Augustine Ayuba, who also sat for the exams, described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity that has restored hope to many aspiring students who would otherwise have been unable to register.

Barr. Boya, in a brief remark, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that build human capital, noting that education remains the most sustainable pathway to national development and peacebuilding.

As the candidates await their results, hopes remain high that the BOYA Education Support Project will continue to serve as a catalyst for youth empowerment and a model for community-driven educational interventions across Nigeria.