Stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have rejected President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Solomon Adodo from Benue State as the FCT representative on the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), calling it a clear disregard for the indigenous people of the capital.

At a press conference on Friday, Elder Danjuma Tanko Dara, leader of the FCT Senior Citizens Forum, voiced the frustrations of FCT natives, insisting that the appointment undermines the principle of fair representation and inclusivity.

“The nomination of an outsider ignores the competent pool of qualified individuals within the FCT and raises serious concerns about the inclusiveness of governance,” Dara said.

He stressed that Adodo, being from outside the FCT, lacks the familiarity and firsthand understanding of the unique challenges faced by residents, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, housing, and social welfare.

“This is the nation’s capital and cannot be represented by someone with no historical or emotional connection to our people,” Dara said. “Our call is not political—it’s about ensuring true representation.”

According to him, the FCT deserves a voice that understands its complexities and can advocate effectively on behalf of its residents, especially the marginalized indigenous communities who have often been sidelined in national appointments.

He further urged President Tinubu to consult key stakeholders in the FCT before finalizing sensitive appointments, warning that overlooking local voices breeds distrust and resentment.

“There are many qualified sons and daughters of the FCT who understand our realities and have long worked to improve our communities. They should be the ones considered for such strategic roles,” Dara emphasized.

He concluded by calling on the President to revisit the nomination and ensure that the person chosen truly represents the aspirations of FCT residents.

“This isn’t just about a name—it’s about justice, equity, and giving our people a say in decisions that affect their lives,” he said.

The Federal Government has urged media organizations to stop granting undue publicity to terrorists, insisting they should be reported strictly as criminals.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued the charge on Wednesday during the seventh edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series held in Abuja.

Idris emphasized that the media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception and must exercise greater responsibility in how security issues are reported. He noted that while informing the public is essential, media houses must not amplify the agenda of terrorist groups by placing them on front pages or giving legitimacy to their false narratives.

“These groups are not freedom fighters — they are murderers, kidnappers, and destroyers. They should be described and treated as such,” he said. “They must be denied the attention and propaganda platforms they seek. The media must resist inadvertently serving their interests.”

The Minister called on journalists and editors to support national security efforts by highlighting the successes and sacrifices of Nigeria’s military forces rather than focusing solely on acts of terror.

“As many of you know, ‘Strengthening National Security for Peace and Prosperity’ is the second pillar of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said. “Without peace and stability, there can be no sustainable development.”

He noted that the administration has taken tangible steps to bolster security, including the procurement of modern weapons and equipment, improved intelligence gathering, extensive training for personnel, and enhanced international collaboration.

Idris added that Nigeria’s armed forces are highly respected globally, and their achievements in securing the nation deserve more media recognition and public support.

“The media, as gatekeepers and partners in nation-building, must play a vital role in bolstering the morale of our military. This is not just a matter of patriotism — it is a strategic imperative for national unity and peace,” he said.

The Federal Government has inaugurated a high-level reform committee to undertake a comprehensive review and restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), signaling a major step toward repositioning the scheme to better meet the nation’s development goals and the aspirations of Nigerian youths.

The inauguration, held at the Ministry of Youth Development headquarters in Abuja, brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the NYSC’s critical role in promoting national unity and youth empowerment since its establishment in 1973. However, he stressed the need to modernize the scheme to reflect present-day realities.

“It is time to reassess the NYSC in light of today’s socio-economic challenges,” Olawande said. “From the safety of corps members to infrastructure gaps and questions around the scheme’s continued relevance, we must urgently and boldly act to reform the system.”

He noted that the Committee’s core mandate is to conduct a thorough assessment of NYSC’s operations and recommend reforms that will make the scheme more secure, innovative, and impactful. The outcome, he added, must align with broader national development strategies, positioning the NYSC as a key instrument for youth empowerment and nation-building.

The Committee’s terms of reference include:

Reviewing existing policies, reports, and legal frameworks governing the NYSC;

Conducting stakeholder engagements and nationwide consultations;

Recommending updates to the NYSC Act and operational guidelines;

Proposing a sustainable model for funding, monitoring, and evaluation;

Submitting a comprehensive reform report to the Ministry within a stipulated timeframe.

Also present at the event, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, proposed the establishment of two specialized corps programs: a Teachers’ Corps for NCE-certified graduates and a Medical Corps for healthcare professionals. These programs, which would run on an optional two-year basis, are aimed at addressing gaps in rural education and healthcare delivery.

According to Alausa, the Teachers’ Corps would help bridge learning disparities in underserved regions while offering a pathway to government employment. The Medical Corps, on the other hand, would strengthen service delivery in remote communities, particularly in areas such as maternal and child health.

In her remarks, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, called for a realignment of technical and vocational training with formal education. She stressed that integrating practical skills into academic pathways would empower Nigerian youth to become more productive and contribute meaningfully to national growth.

The inauguration of the NYSC Reform Committee marks a pivotal moment in the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to youth development and institutional reform.

The Federal Government has commissioned the over ₦5.7 billion Gashua Water Supply Scheme in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State, marking a major milestone in efforts to tackle water scarcity in the region.

The project, completed at a revised cost of ₦5,735,046,416.75, was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, at the Gashua Water Works, Filin Tanda.

Prof. Utsev described the scheme as a transformative intervention aimed at addressing long-standing water supply challenges in Gashua and neighboring communities, with the capacity to serve over one million residents with safe and potable water.

According to the Minister, the scheme boasts a production capacity of 3,200 million litres per day and includes key components such as:

Four solar-powered borehole-based water systems (one within a university campus),

A modern water treatment plant,

Surface and elevated storage tanks,

Electro-mechanical and power systems,

An extensive transmission and distribution network.

The Minister emphasized that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes access to clean water as a cornerstone of public health, poverty reduction, and national development.

Speaking through a statement signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Utsev formally handed over the facility to the Yobe State Government, calling for inclusive stakeholder engagement and urging the Yobe State Water Board to manage the infrastructure sustainably.

He also acknowledged other federal water projects ongoing in the state, including:

Damaturu Lots A & B Water Supply Projects,

Nguru Water Supply Project,

Fika/Gadaka Water Supply Project, and

Potiskum Water Supply Project.

In his remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by Deputy Governor Idi Barde Gubana, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government. He underscored the importance of clean water for health and economic development, and referenced ongoing research into the potential link between water quality and kidney-related illnesses in Northern Yobe.

Former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, who hails from the region, said the scheme was initiated in response to repeated outbreaks of waterborne diseases in Gashua caused by contaminated water. He praised President Tinubu and Minister Utsev for their commitment to expanding access to clean water.

Also speaking, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, congratulated the people of Yobe and encouraged the community to take ownership of the facility to ensure its longevity.

The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of handover documents and the official commissioning of the Gashua Water Scheme, a key step in the Federal Government’s mission to achieve universal access to clean and safe water across Nigeria.