By David Torough, Abuja

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has come under heavy criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, over the alleged withholding of a discharge certificate from Lagos-based corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.

”Raye, who completed her one-year service in Lagos, claimed she was denied her certificate after officials accused her of missing April clearance. She insisted she was present for the exercise but was repeatedly told to wait by her Local Government Inspector (LGI), who eventually seized her file and refused to clear her.Atiku, in a statement on X, described the situation as “Unacceptable” and warned that punishing citizens for criticising government policies would erode public trust in national institutions.He urged the NYSC to act swiftly, questioning whether the action was politically motivated given Raye’s previous viral criticism of economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.Falana also condemned the decision, calling it an “Illegal act” not sanctioned by any court, and likened it to past abuses under military rule. Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, he reminded the NYSC of the President’s Democracy Day speech encouraging constructive criticism and urged the immediate release of Raye’s certificate.However, NYSC has denied any political motive. Spokesperson Caroline Embu said Raye was one of 131 corps members sanctioned for failing April biometric clearance, leading to a standard two-month service extension in line with NYSC by-laws. The scheme maintained the measure was procedural and not targeted at silencing dissent.The standoff has sparked fresh debate about the NYSC’s disciplinary process, freedom of expression, and whether the system is vulnerable to political interference.

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

African Export-Import Bank has signed a $1.35bn financing facility in favour of Dangote Industries Limited.A statement from Afreximbank disclosed that the facility is part of a larger $4bn syndicated financing arrangement for Dangote Industries Limited in which Afreximbank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger for the syndication.

This financing, one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets, will refinance capital expended on constructing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex, the biggest single-train refinery in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The financing alleviates initial operational expenditures and enhances DIL’s balance sheet, supporting its continued growth trajectory.Afreximbank contributed $1.35bn, the largest share among participating banks, underscoring its commitment to large-scale infrastructure that advances Africa’s industrialisation, energy security, and intra-African trade.Commenting on the development, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, said “with this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within. It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow. The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway.“Through the bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high-quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, added, “Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialise Africa from within. This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s supply of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa.”Afreximbank said that since operations at the refinery complex began in February 2024, it has continued to support the Dangote Refinery by providing key financing solutions for crude supply and product offtake, ensuring uninterrupted operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining intervention.The syndicated facility attracted strong participation from leading African and international financial institutions, reflecting enduring confidence in Africa’s industrial potential and Dangote’s vision in transforming Africa.

By James Samuel, Abuja

Ghana’s Ministers of Defense and Environment died after a military helicopter crashed, killing all eight people on board, a government spokesman and the armed forces said on Wednesday.Among the dead were Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defense and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Chief of Staff to the President of Ghana, Julius Debrah, said in a televised news conference on Wednesday.

“I have the unpleasant duty, suddenly, to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter this morning,” Mr. Debrah said. It was not immediately clear why the helicopter crashed.The deaths were announced hours after Ghana’s armed forces said in a post on social media that a helicopter traveling from Accra, the capital, to a mining community in the Ashanti region had gone “off the radar.” The post said efforts were being made to re-establish contact.The armed forces subsequently confirmed the deaths of all on-board the helicopter in a statement on social media. It extended condolences to the families and said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crash.Also killed were the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; the Vice Chair of the National Democratic Congress political party, Samuel Sarpong; the Deputy Director General of Ghana’s Disaster Relief Agency, Samuel Aboagye; and three members of the military, including the pilot, according to Debrah.The officials were headed to a gathering on illegal mining at the Obuasi Black Park in the Ashanti region as part of a broader government effort to encourage responsible practices, according to local news reports.The gathering was meant to bring together Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, along with other government and local leaders, mining association members and development partners, according to a program line-up posted online by officials ahead of the event. Obuasi is about 170 miles northwest of the capital.As a result of the national tragedy, the Chief of Staff said all flags would immediately be flown at half-staff until further notice. Tinubu Condoles with Ghanaian President President Bola Tinubu has sent his “deepest condolences” to President John Mahama, the government and people of Ghana following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others. Tinubu assured his Ghanaian counterpart and indeed all Ghanaians that the thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria were with them during this time of “profound national loss”. In a statement in Abuja last night, Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga said the President urged the Ghanaian nation and the bereaved families and friends to find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of patriotic service to the country.