NYSC Bars Nursing Mothers From National Service

The National Youth Service Corps has barred prospective corps members that are pregnant and nursing mothers from participating in national service across the country.

Also affected are students undergoing postgraduate studies in institutions of higher learning in the country.

The Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, who gave the hint in Kaduna on Thursday, emphasised that those affected needed not bother to enlist for service “until they are free to participate effectively.”

The DG said the scheme would no longer mobilise pregnant women and nursing mothers for service in the scheme established in 1973 by the Gen. Yakubu Gowon administration.

Olawumi noted that the exemption of pregnant women and nursing mothers as well as postgraduate students from national service was because they could not undergo the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC.

Hausa Flee Lagos Community As Northerners Slaughter 33-Year-Old

Olaide's Residence

There has been tension in Lara, Igbe community, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State after some Hausa thugs allegedly slaughtered a 33-year-old resident, Shola Olaide, during an argument.

It was learnt that after the killing, which occurred at about 8pm last Sunday, angry youths went on the rampage threatening to kill all northerners in the area, which made Hausa to flee the community.

Our correspondent gathered that Olaide, who was a meat seller, had gone to a shop owned by a Hausa man in company with a friend, identified simply as Biggy, to buy an item.

It was learnt that Olaide, an indigene of Igboora, Oyo State, had met some Hausa men standing at the entrance of the shop, and reportedly asked them to give way.

An argument was said to have ensued between them during which the trader and his friends allegedly dragged Olaide to the back of the shop, and slaughtered him.

The landlord of the house along with other residents were said to have rushed Olaide to a hospital in the area where he later died.

FG Uncovers 3,000 Fake Police Pensioners

The Federal Government on Thursday said it had uncovered “over 3, 000 supposed police pensioners who had their names on the payroll but did not turn up during the recent verification exercise for police pensioners who retired on or before June 2007.”

The feat was achieved through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, an agency that was established in August 2013 to oversee the management of pensions under the defined benefit scheme for pensioners not transiting to the contributory scheme.

The PTAD said that it had commenced the search for persons who duped pensioners by asking for fees to process their payments.

As a result of the failure by the supposed pensioners to turn up for the verification exercise, the PTAD said it had been saving about N100m for the government, which before now had been paid to fraudsters posing as police pensioners.

Gunmen Kidnap 92-Year-Old Monarch In Bayelsa

Gunmen have abducted a 92-year-old monarch, His Royal Highness, Christian Otobotekere, in Bayelsa State.

Otobotekere, father of a former Commissioner for Science and Technology and former Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Government House, was abducted in Tombia community in the Gbarain area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that the monarch was seized by heavily armed men, numbering five, who stormed the community on Thursday morning.

The gunmen were said to have come to the area in a Toyota Camry and shot into the air to scare away the residents.

The kidnappers were said to have marched to the residence of the monarch where he was abducted at gunpoint.

Today's Newspaper Headlines : Friday, July 24, 2015

Thank God it's Friday and welcome to the news headlines, below are the headlines from national newspapers across the nation. Have a nice day as you read. 

PUNCH

• PHEDC unveils 10-year tariff increase plan
• Insecurity threatens Arepo burst pipeline repairs ' NNPC
• Reverse oil tanker ban, global body tells NNPC
• Petrol marketers, CBN disagree over forex availability
• Ex-minister backs Nigeria, US economic partnership
• MPC may retain key rates ' Report
• Nigeria should intensify oil drilling now ' Ene
• Gunmen kidnap 92-year-old monarch in Bayelsa
• Supreme Court cases to open for mediation
• FG uncovers 3,000 fake police pensioners
• NNPC, engine room of corruption 'Saraki
• Tompolo calls ex-militants to 'crucial' meeting
• FG takes over Yola Disco from private investors
• Banks extend loan repayment period for states
• Prosecute our members if found corrupt, PDP tells Buhari
• Fani-Kayode commends Buhari for rejecting gay marriage
• APC suspends 41 members in AIbom
• Lies against Aregbesola must stop APC