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Muslim Group Rejects NYSC Orientation Camp During Ramadan.

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Muslim Corpers

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for fixing its orientation camp during the month of Ramadan.

Prospective corps members of batch A stream II are expected to report to camps across the nation on Monday.

But MURIC described the decision to open the camp at this period as unconstitutional, calling on the authorities to postpone the programme.

Accusing the NYSC of discrimination, MURIC said religious crisis is common in Nigeria due to the “overzealousness and insensitivity of some government officials”.

“We reject this date because Muslim corpers will still be fasting at that time. It is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional for NYSC to hold camp at a time when its Muslim members will be deprived of their freedom of worship and the liberty to practice their creed without fear. This planned camp is exclusive, discriminatory and parochial,” MURIC said in a statement signed by Ishaq Akintola, its director.

“Official policies in this country often fail to take our cultural and religious plurality into consideration.

“Any Nigerian institution dealing with schedules and programmes particularly the NYSC whose programmes are of such magnitude is expected to consider the dates and periods of important festivals, rituals and religious practices. This should form the core of its logistics. It is our humble opinion that NYSC headquarters has failed in its strategic planning by allowing its next camp to clash with the Ramadan period.”

MURIC said allowing the camp to go on as planned would leave Muslim corps members at a disadvantage, explaining that those observing Ramadan will find it very difficult to adapt to the rigours in camp.

The body wondered why the NYSC did not stick to the initial date scheduled for the exercise.

“What happened to 21st May, 2016 which was the date earlier picked for the orientation? We do not want to believe that the shift was deliberately planned to coincide with the Ramadan season with a view to excluding prospective Muslim corpers,” the statement read.

“MURIC is not trying to indulge Muslim youths. Fasting is no joke and it certainly cannot be combined with the physical challenges which characterize the NYSC camp. Eligible Muslim graduates will definitely want to be part of the service but the obstacles standing in their way are gargantuan.

“Unlike the Islamophobic climate expected in an NYSC camp organized in Ramadan, what happens during Ramadan in Muslim-friendly environments is that both primary and secondary schools close for the day around 2 pm. Lectures in tertiary institutions stop from 3 pm while civil servants also leave their offices by 2 pm. If Muslims are not asking the Nigerian government to do this, its agencies should not become blatant tools of oppression.

“The clear message we are sending to NYSC officials here is that the camp planned to begin constitutes a serious impediment to the religious observation of Muslims. It is exclusive, sectional and parochial. The planned camp should be put in abeyance for now in the interest of peace. A stitch in time saves nine.

“Muslim youths throughout the country are bitter and furious at the thought of being disallowed to fast in the month of Ramadan. The best which NYSC headquarters can do for Nigeria now is to postpone the camp till the end of Ramadan. This country needs peace and stability to develop. We have had enough religious crises. NYSC should not stoke another.”

BIG STORY

Protest Rocks Lagos Over Alleged Killing Of Marwa Driver By NURTW Boss

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A 55-year-old transport union leader on Lagos Island, Shamsideen Oladiti, widely known as Shamelon, has been taken into custody over accusations of assault and murder.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed his arrest in a statement on Friday, noting that Oladiti is being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba, where investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Information made available indicates that on September 17, 2025, around 3 p.m., the suspect attacked a dispatch rider in Lagos Island, allegedly using his fists and a helmet to inflict serious injuries.

The rider was rushed to a hospital and is said to be receiving treatment on oxygen support.

It was gathered that Oladiti had earlier been accused in another case linked to an altercation on August 28, 2025.

In that encounter, he allegedly used a metallic ring to repeatedly strike a man on the head and face, causing severe wounds.

Despite medical attention, the man passed away on September 17, 2025, and his body has since been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.

News of the victim’s death sparked protests at the suspect’s office in Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, where mourners of the deceased set two motorcycles ablaze, escalating tensions in the area.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, led a team of mobile policemen, tactical squads, and regular officers to the scene to restore calm.

He assured residents that the suspect remains in custody and would face charges once investigations are finalized.

The commissioner also appealed for calm, urging Lagos residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding while stressing the police command’s commitment to delivering justice.

Meanwhile, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, clarified that the dispatch rider attacked on Wednesday is still alive, contrary to earlier reports of his death.

She said: “We have confirmed from the family that he is still alive. He is not dead, although he is currently breathing with the aid of oxygen.

“The one who died passed on September 17th. He was also beaten by Oladiti on August 28th but died on Wednesday, September 17th.”

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Fubara To Address Rivers People At 6pm

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The reinstated governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, resumed duty at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday and announced plans to address residents of the state by 6 p.m.

His return comes after the expiration of the emergency rule imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18.

Earlier on Friday, Fubara arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, accompanied by his wife, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, and other officials.

He was warmly received by former commissioners, local government chairmen, and other political leaders who gathered to welcome him.

Upon his arrival at the Government House, the governor expressed gratitude to Rivers people for their overwhelming show of support.

He said: “I know everybody wants to hear something from me. In fact, I expected it when I landed.

“Let me first of all appreciate the wonderful people of Rivers State. I am really humbled by what I saw at the Airport.

“I was thrilled by the photographs of what happened here yesterday. That reception really humbled me.

“It shows love, confidence and solidarity. I want to say that it is not just a celebration. It is a show of the reactivation of the bond between this government and the people of Rivers State.

“I want to assure you that we will, by the grace of God, continue to give those things that made you people love us. I want to thank everybody and to say that we love you, but God loves you more.”

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BREAKING: Fubara Arrives Port Harcourt Airport

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, returned to Port Harcourt on Friday, touching down at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, just two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the emergency rule on the state and directed his reinstatement.

The governor’s aircraft landed at exactly 11:50 a.m.

He was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters and political allies, including former Information and Communications Commissioner, Barr. Emma Okah; ex-Health Commissioner, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Oji Ngofa; ex-Environment Commissioner, Sydney Gbara; and Victor Oko-Jumbo, former factional Speaker of the state assembly.

Others at the airport included former Youth Commissioner, Chisom Gbali; ex-Physical Planning Commissioner, Evans Bipi; former NUPENG President, Igwe Achese; ex-Education Commissioner, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as past chairmen of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor councils, Ezebunwo Ichemati and others.

 

More to come…

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