News

Kwara NYSC Camp Engagement – Army Reveals Reason Why Female Soldier Was Detained

Over the weekend, a video went viral online of a male NYSC corp member at Kwara State’s Orientation camp, Yikpata proposing to a female military officer who joyfully said yes.

It triggered reactions across social media after which it emerged that the female military officer had been detained by the military for her actions. The army’s reaction triggered counter-reactions from Nigerians on social media and now, they have revealed why the unidentified female soldier was unprofessional by getting romantically entangled with the male corp member.

Confirming the female soldier’s detain to the media was Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the director of Army Public Relations in his exclusive interview with The Punch on Sunday, the 19th of December.

Brigadier General Nwachukwu said that the female soldier’s unprofessional action amounted to taking advantage of her male trainee, he further explained that had the gender roles in the situation been reversed and it was a female corp member who was being proposed to by a male army officer, there would have been a public outrage accusing the army of coercion.

The female soldier’s action, Nwachukwu said violated the Nigerian Army’s code of conduct when deployed for duty. He outlined the rules violated by the female soldier saying;

“1. Fraternization while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee.

2. A personnel must have served for three years before he/she can qualify for marriage.

3. She disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media.

4. Indulging in romance while in uniform.

5. Her conduct was prejudicial to good order and military discipline.”

“All the above, if proven are in violation of extant laws with attendant disciplinary and penal implications,” the Brigadier General added.

When asked about the likely punishment the female soldier would receive, Nwachukwu declined to comment, instead noting that “the Nigerian Military like all others, has its disciplinary codes, distinct from that of the general society. Every personnel has voluntarily undertaken to be bound by this code.”

Intelligence gathering platform, Eons Intelligence, revealed in an update on the situation that Captain MM Abdulahi, Kwara State NYSC Camp Commandant told them that the female soldier had intentionally isolated herself from her colleagues.

The army’s action has drawn strong criticism by Nigerians online. Popular human rights activist Sowore condemned the army’s action and called for the female soldier to be released.

In a post shared on his verified Facebook page, Sowore said that he would love to mobilise for the female soldier to get justice. Sowore also posted photos of army officers proposing to their love interests in army uniform.

His post read;

“Just came to my attention that the @Nigerian army detained the female soldier in this video for getting a proposal from a youth corps member.

What the Army did is totally unacceptable and I would very much love to mobilise for her to get justice. Our society is getting more and more oppressive and discriminatory.

This has to stop! Please if you have her contact or know how she could be reached, kindly DM me! #Revolutionnow”.

Click Here to watch a video of the NYSC Camp Engagement.

News

Governors in heated meeting With Presidency Over Tax Reforms

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) convened a late-night meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, December 10. The meeting ended without a communiqué, fuelling speculation about the contentious tax reform bills at the heart of their discussions.

The meeting, which commenced at 10 p.m. and lasted just an hour, was attended by 15 governors, primarily from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, representing the Labour Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, were also present.

Sources disclosed that the governors failed to reach a consensus on the tax reform bills President Bola Tinubu recently presented to the National Assembly.

The reforms have drawn sharp criticism, with 19 northern governors rejecting key provisions and urging withdrawal. The National Economic Council (NEC) also reportedly dismissed the proposed legislation.

“The bills are flawed and fail to address the realities in many states,” a northern governor reportedly remarked.

The NGF’s silence following the meeting has further heightened public interest. Deviating from tradition, the governors refrained from issuing a post-meeting statement or briefing journalists.

This development has sparked concerns about potential divisions within the NGF, as the governors grapple with the polarising tax proposals. Observers note that the absence of an official communiqué suggests deep-seated disagreements.

As Nigerians await clarity on the fate of the tax reforms, the meeting’s abrupt conclusion underscores the growing tension over Tinubu’s economic policies. Whether the governors will resolve remains to be seen.

News

Okpebholo Budget Speech: Edo Governor struggles with figures during budget presentation

Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had a bit of a rough start while presenting the 2025 budget proposal to the state House of Assembly, on Tuesday.

He struggled to get the figures right, stumbling over the numbers and eliciting laughter and murmurs from the lawmakers.

“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.

“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me,” the governor stuttered and chuckled.

Despite the initial hiccup, Okpebholo composed himself and continued with the presentation.

The proposed budget, tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” stands at N605 billion, a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.

The governor highlighted road infrastructure and education as key priorities for his administration, allocating N162 billion for road development and N48 billion for education.

Okpebholo also emphasized the importance of security and community development, pledging to bring peace and harmony to the state.

He announced plans to provide N500 million monthly subvention to Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, to support its revival.

The governor’s budget proposal is designed to achieve the goals of his five-point agenda, which includes security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.

News

PDP expels Reps member Ugochinyere over anti-party activities, indiscipline

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, with immediate effect due to gross indiscipline, insubordination and anti-party activities.

Ugochinyere’s expulsion was announced in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke, and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

This is according to a statement on Friday, December 6, 2024, wherein Lancelot Obiak, the Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, said the executives expelled Ugochinyere.

The decision followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee dated November 27, 2024, which investigated alleged misconduct against the lawmaker in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.

Ugochinyere was first suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, following failure to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee to defend the allegations of disciplinary offences against him.

The statement read, “The expulsion was conveyed in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

“The expulsion followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated misconduct charges against Ugochinyere in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended.

“The lawmaker had been suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, after failing to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee on October 5, 2024, to answer to allegations of disciplinary offences, and ignoring reminders and further invitation sent to him on October 7, 2024.

“The letter partly read: “Upon receipt of the report, the LGA Executive Committee of Ideato North met on the 5th of December, 2024, and unanimously adopted the report of the disciplinary committee”.

“In light of this, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere Ikegwuonu is hereby expelled from the party (PDP) with immediate effect and he ceases to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Umuofia/Umukegwu ward of Ideato North LGA”.

“The party found Ugochinyere guilty of deliberate failure to attend meetings and participate in activities of the party for a long time in breach of Section 58 (1)e) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. He was said to have engaged in unauthorised publicity of disputes within the party which contravenes section 58(1)i of the party’s constitution. Also, he formed parallel executive and organs of the party in his ward, and at the LGA and National levels which also breaches the party’s constitution”.

“Furthermore, he was found guilty of consistently making derogatory and provocative public statements against the party and some of its national leaders, an action that brought the party to public ridicule”.