By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The presidential candidate of the Africa Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, was granted N200 million bail on Tuesday by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

In his ruling, Justice Umar ordered Mr Sowore to produce two sureties. One must be a traditional ruler from his community, while the other must own landed property in Abuja.

The judge directed the prosecution to verify the sureties.

The judge also ordered Mr Sowore to deposit his passport with the deputy chief registrar of the court pending the determination of the case.

He adjourned the case until Monday to commence the defence.

The State Security Service is prosecuting Mr Sowore for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in a post on X and Facebook.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Executive Council has approved a comprehensive overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps, marking the first major restructuring of the scheme since it was established 53 years ago.

The reforms, approved at the FEC meeting in Abuja on Monday, are aimed at repositioning the NYSC into a skills-focused, productivity-driven institution aligned with the Federal Government’s economic agenda.

A key aspect of the reform is a change in the leadership structure of the scheme, with the NYSC set to be headed by a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security for corps members nationwide.

The council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the approved changes and enable their implementation.

Announcing the approval on X, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the reforms as the first holistic review of the scheme in its 53-year history.

He said, “We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.”

Olawande said the approved reforms would reposition the scheme as “a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”

According to him, the reforms include “a technology-driven call-up process, risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members, a redesigned six-week orientation programme with stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams, skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways, modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support, improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system, and a new graduation ceremony to replace the Passing Out Parade, alongside a redesigned NYSC uniform that reflects professionalism and national pride.”

Olawande said the reform process began in 2025 through a broad-based review involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination before receiving FEC approval.

He added, “This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria’s greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant and more impactful than ever.”

Established in 1973 following the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was created to promote national unity by deploying graduates to states outside their regions of origin for one year of compulsory national service.

The latest reforms represent the first comprehensive review of the scheme since its creation, with the Federal Government saying the changes are designed to make the institution more relevant to Nigeria’s contemporary economic and youth development needs.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Ostensibly reacting to opposition comments, Gov. Yusuf insisted he has no cause of regret of apologetic to any figure, owing to his support for Tinubu’s re-election.

The governor made the declaration during an interactive session with elected and appointed government officials held at the Coronation Hall of the Government House in Kano.

Expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term, Yusuf assured that Kano would deliver overwhelming votes for the President in the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, “our administration in Kano has no reason to apologise for supporting President Tinubu”, stressing that the President’s re-election remains a collective responsibility of all party members and government officials.

The Governor however directed all political appointees serving in his administration who are yet to register as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to do so without further delay.

Yusuf stressed that every elected and appointed government official must identify with the party and actively participate in strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 polls.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure the APC records victories in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, State Assembly and local government elections.

As part of measures aimed at motivating political office holders, the governor approved the allocation of plots of land to more than 300 political aides, including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Reporters and Personal Assistants. He also approved the payment of N100,000 to each of the beneficiaries.

Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore, also at the meeting re-emphaised that APC in Kano owes no apology for promoting the achievements of President Tinubu in Kano State.

Falgore noted that constituency projects executed by members of the State Assembly, with the support of Governor Yusuf, had further strengthened the party’s popularity across the state and positioned it for victory in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in Kano State, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, declared that “the battle line has been drawn” with the Kwankwasiyya movement, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

At the end of the meeting, elected and appointed government officials unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The officials also pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation and work collectively towards ensuring the success of the APC at all levels during the 2027 general elections.