Abu Umar 

The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has welcomed the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream II corps members, urging them to embrace the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.

The Governor gave the charge on Friday, through the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Kashimu Sani Kaura at the swearing-in ceremony held at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, UBEC Training Centre, Gusau.

Governor Lawal congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their academic programmes and for being enlisted into the NYSC programme. 

He urged them to regard Zamfara as their second home and approach the national assignments with a determination to make positive contributions on the lives of the people in their host communities.

“Take time to understand our people, appreciate our culture and share positive stories about the State. Let your conduct, contributions and experiences reflect the hospitality and progress of Zamfara,” the governor added.

The Governor also encouraged the corps members to uphold the core values of discipline, integrity, teamwork, patriotism, tolerance, respect and selfless service.

Governor Lawal further assured the NYSC management of the state government’s continued support and cooperation towards the success of the scheme.

Earlier, the State Coordinator, Mallam Muhammad Lawan Ahmad, had disclosed that the Orientation Course was designed to prepare the rest of service year through lectures on national values, security awareness, leadership, citizenship, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition, as well as sporting activities and drills.

He encouraged the corps members to participate actively in all camp activities, noting that the knowledge, discipline and skills acquired during the three-week exercise would prepare them adequately for their service year and beyond. 

The highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the Oath of Allegiance and National Pledge to over 800 corps members by the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, who was represented by a Chief Magistrate in the State Judiciary, Nuradeen Sa’adu Barnawa.

The special NYSC Man O’ Squad also displayed team building exercise to the delight of guests and corps members.

Our Reporter 

The Delta State Government has condemned the political violence that erupted in Asaba, the state capital, on Saturday, leaving one person dead and four others seriously injured.

The government described the incident as unacceptable, warning political parties and their supporters against actions capable of threatening public peace and security.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the government reiterated its zero tolerance for political violence, intimidation and other forms of political rascality.

Aniagwu said the government had repeatedly cautioned political parties against engaging in activities capable of disrupting the peace, stressing that the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the organisers had heeded security advice.

He explained that the police had advised the organisers to shelve the proposed street march and instead hold their campaign at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.

The government expressed concern that the advice was ignored, resulting in a confrontation that claimed a life and left several others injured.

It called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that everyone found responsible is brought to justice.

Aniagwu further warned that the state government would no longer tolerate politically motivated attacks against any individual, irrespective of party affiliation.

He stressed that Delta remained a safe place for residents and visitors, adding that the government would not allow the actions of individuals or groups to undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

The government urged political parties, their leaders and supporters to conduct their activities within the bounds of the law and demonstrate respect for human life, public order and the rights of other citizens.

Abubakar Umar 

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, has anchored his qualification for the 2027 governorship election on seven years of legislative experience, particularly his involvement in the state’s budget appropriation process as Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Danladi, who spoke on Friday at the News Keg, a political engagement platform organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, argued that his position as Speaker had given him an understanding of the state’s development priorities, resource allocation and governance structure.

He maintained that the major infrastructure projects executed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration were products of appropriation processes in which the legislature played a critical role.

According to him, the experience had provided him with an opportunity to understand the financial and developmental requirements of the state, as well as the workings of government across its various sectors.

“Appropriation process is a key ingredient in governance, and I can attest that all the landmark projects of Governor AbdulRazaq emerged from this process,” he said.

The APC candidate also argued that his seven years in the legislature had afforded him extensive exposure to the state’s geographical and developmental challenges, claiming that he had visited virtually every ward in Kwara.

“There is hardly any ward in Kwara that I have not been to. I am a local boy. My interest is in all our local areas, and I intend to touch all these places,” he said.

On grassroots development, Danladi cited interventions in his Ilesha/Gwanara constituency in Baruteen Local Government Area, including the installation of more than 210 boreholes and the facilitation of road infrastructure with the support of the state government.

He also disclosed that his office had facilitated the training of 300 vigilantes in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), citing the area’s proximity to the international border as a major security consideration.

Danladi, who described his governorship ticket as a collective project belonging to the people of Kwara rather than an individual ambition, was accompanied to the engagement by his running mate, Hon. David Oluwaseun Oguniyi.

Oguniyi, in his brief remarks, highlighted his private-sector background and described his relationship with Danladi as one built on what he called productive synergy.