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NYSC DG Visits Ailing NYSC Anthem Composer, Says Scheme Will Honour Him
Director-General of National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Thursday, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Oluwole Adetiran, who composed the scheme’s anthem in 1984.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ibrahim led a high-powered delegation of NYSC to the residence of Adetiran, who recently turned 74, at Ibafo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun.
The director-general said that he learnt through the social media last Saturday that Adetiran was seriously ill and he thought that the man deserved to be honoured with a visit.
“I just got to know about five days ago through a Good Samaritan who posted the message on the social media.
“I decided to follow up on the phone number that was dropped on the social media report, made my investigations and decided to come here from Abuja to visit him,” he said.
Ibrahim described Adetiran as a patriotic Nigerian whose contributions to the scheme through the composition of the anthem could not be quantified in monetary terms and which would live beyond him.
The NYSC boss noted that the wordings of the anthem were quite philosophical and had continued to be a source of inspiration to serving and past corps members that they should put the nation first wherever they found themselves.
“The wordings of the anthem have been so inspiring to our corps members and you will observe that they are everywhere serving the nation.
“The corps members are always involved in the conduct of elections and population census, while their contributions during the heat of COVID-19 pandemic and other national assignments have been tremendous.
“This visit is partly to encourage our corps members and our youths that when you serve and honour your country, your country will not forget you,” he said.
The director-general urged the corps members to continue to meditate on the wordings of the anthem so as to be propelled continually to render selfless service and be agents of unity for the country.
Ibrahim, who presented an undisclosed cash gift to the ailing Adetiran, assured that NYSC would not abandon him in his trying period.
He also pledged that Adetiran’s photograph would be conspicuously placed in the newly-built NYSC museum in Abuja.
Adediran, who betrayed emotion as he responded, said that his heart leapt for joy at the sight of the powerful delegation from NYSC.
He explained that he had been inflicted with multiple diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and prostate cancer since 2018, adding that he had once fallen into coma for two days.
Adediran, who said that he studied Music at University of Nigeria, Nsuka, recalled that he composed the anthem in 1984 while he was serving as a corps member in Oyo state.
“I was the leader of an NYSC group called ‘the anthem group,’ and the then chief inspector saddled us with the responsibility of raising an anthem for the scheme.
“It was nothing difficult for me because while my friends went to study various courses in the university, I went for what I had passion in, which was music.
“While other corps members were not showing much interest in the assignment, I went home and spent quality time to compose the anthem, to the admiration of all, and I still have the manuscripts till today,” he said.
Adediran who said that he rendered the anthem with a special choir that he had raised, commended the NYSC director-general for the visit, which he considered as a mark of honour to him.
The NYSC anthem composer, who is now the National Music Director of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), said that he could not believe, in his wildest imagination, that a person in the status of NYSC director-general would one day visit him in his small abode.
“I thank God for opening a book of remembrance concerning me for my labour of love,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adetiran had served as the Head of Music Department of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, between 2003 and 2007 before his retirement from the institution in 2008.
(NAN)
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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