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Osinbajo to speak on Nigeria’s Human Capital Development Investments at Oxford University Lecture tomorrow
NIGERIAN Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on the invitation of Oxford University, United Kingdom, would be delivering a special lecture highlighting ongoing investments, efforts and plans of the Nigerian government on human development on Friday, 12th October 2018 at the globally recognized institution.
At the event, Prof. Osinbajo will also be inaugurating the International Advisory Board (IAB) of Oxford University’s African Studies Centre, under the School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA).
Members of the board are eminent leaders from across the world including several African countries like Nigeria and South Africa.
The members of the board to be inaugurated by the Nigerian Vice President include Mr Tito Mboweni, an international advisor of Goldman Sachs, and former Chairman of the South African Reserve Bank, who will chair the board; Madame Monica Geingos, First Lady of Namibia, lawyer and entrepreneur; Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, one-time Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Nigeria’s External Affairs Minister and Dr Charlotte Scott, former First Lady of Zambia and development specialist.
Others are Mr Gareth Ackerman, Chairman of Pick’n Pay, South Africa; Mr. Alex Duncan, Director and Consultant Economist, The Policy Practice, Brighton, United Kingdom; Mr Ivor Agyeman-Duah – Economist and author, Accra, Ghana; Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria and Ms. Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, founder and Managing Director, DLO Energy Group (Pty) Ltd, South Africa.
The Vice President who is departing Nigeria later today for London will be received by Oxford’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Warden, St. Antony’s College, Prof. Roger Goodman; Head, Oxford School of Global & Area Studies, Tim Powers and the Director of the African Studies Center, Prof. Wale Adebanwi.
During the lecture, Prof. Osinbajo would highlight the progress made by the Buhari administration in improving the country’s Human Capital development indices and investment climate, as well as the widespread impact of the National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP).
The N-Power Volunteer Corps, which is a part of the N-SIP, and has so far provided employment for 500,000 young Nigerian graduates, demonstrates the commitment of the Federal Government to invest in the human capital development of Nigerian citizens, particularly the young people.
Also, the N-SIP includes schemes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer, which has helped lift thousands of the poorest Nigerians out of poverty, through the provision of N5,000 monthly stipends; the TraderMoni, which provides collateral & interest-free loans from N10,000 to petty traders nationwide, among other initiatives of the Buhari administration.
Besides, there is also the Homegrown School Feeding programme which provides one free meal a day to over 9 million primary school pupils, thereby boosting school enrichment and also addressing stunting concerns among young Nigerians of school age.
Only last week, Prof. Osinbajo presided over a meeting of the National Economic Council’s Human Capital Development Core Working Group on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and reiterated Buhari administration’s commitment to accelerate human capital development in the country.
According to the VP, “lifting our people out of poverty is a crucial agenda towards attaining intended developmental outcomes.”
The Vice President leaves for London this afternoon and is expected back in Abuja on Sunday.
The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that corps members across the country will soon begin receiving ₦77,000 as their monthly allowance.
The Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu.
General Ahmed emphasized that the welfare of corps members remains a top priority for his administration, noting that arrangements for the payment of the new allowance have been finalized.
The increase in corps members’ allowances is in line with the recent review of Nigeria’s minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.
This development marks the second major adjustment in corps members’ stipends in recent years. In 2020, the NYSC increased the allowance from ₦19,800 to ₦33,000 following the implementation of the ₦30,000 minimum wage.
The latest increment reflects the government’s commitment to improving the living standards of Nigerian youths serving their country under the NYSC scheme.
President Tinubu’s signing of the new minimum wage bill in July 2024 came after months of negotiations between government authorities, labor unions, and private sector stakeholders. The adjustment aims to address inflationary pressures and improve the economic well-being of workers across the country.
The NYSC has assured corps members of its continued commitment to their welfare and development as they contribute to national unity and service.
The Abia State Police Command has demoted a police corporal, Okonkwo Ebuka, to the rank of constable following his involvement in unprofessional conduct and incivility towards members of the public.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the disciplinary action in a statement released on Tuesday.
According to her, the demotion was the outcome of an administrative proceeding where the officer was tried in an orderly room and found guilty of discreditable and unprofessional behaviour.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, in alignment with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to establish a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law-compliant, and people-friendly police force, has disbanded the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit for unprofessional conduct and incivility towards members of the public,” the statement read.
It further stated that Corporal Okonkwo Ebuka, formerly attached to the Area Command in Aba but deployed on special duty at Isuochi, was demoted as part of efforts to enforce discipline within the Force.
“The Commissioner of Police emphasized the Command’s zero-tolerance policy for any form of unprofessional conduct among officers that could tarnish the good image of the Force,” the statement added.
The Abia State Police Command reiterated its commitment to upholding professionalism and fostering positive engagement with the public in line with the principles of ethical policing.
Queen Waliyat Olabisi, the second wife of the Okere of Sakiland, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi Oyedepo III, has passed away.
She died on Tuesday morning, leaving the people of the ancient town in mourning.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of her death remains unknown. However, her sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the community.
Many indigenes of Saki have taken to social media to express their grief, sharing heartfelt tributes and condolences for the royal family.
The late Queen Waliyat was celebrated for her elegance and impactful contributions to both the palace and the community.
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