The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Hon. Comrade Asefon Sunday, has expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the historic approval of a N45,000 monthly stipend for students enrolled in technical colleges across Nigeria.

In a statement released on Wednesday by his office, Hon. Asefon described the approval as a landmark moment in the history of student welfare in Nigeria.

He noted that the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Tinubu administration to empower youth through technical and vocational education, with a total grant of N120 billion allocated under the new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scheme.

“This remarkable gesture once again reaffirms President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to education as a cornerstone of national growth and development,” Hon. Asefon stated.

“His Excellency has demonstrated, through this initiative, his belief in skills-based education and his identity as a truly student-friendly President.”

He further emphasized that the N45,000 monthly stipend is a grant, not a loan, and thus does not require repayment, making it a life-changing opportunity for countless students and their families.

“Today marks a memorable milestone in the hearts of Nigerian students. This grant stands as a testament to President Tinubu’s unmatched generosity and vision for an inclusive educational future.

It is yet another reason why Nigerian students continue to stand solidly with Mr. President,” Asefon added.

He also extended appreciation to the Federal Ministries of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Education, along with all stakeholders who played critical roles in facilitating this initiative.

“I must commend the collaborative efforts of all those who helped bridge the gap between the student community and the Presidency. Your contributions are deeply appreciated.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has withdrawn a bill he sponsored to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians.

The bill, co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, aimed to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to enforce compulsory voting as a means of deepening democratic participation.

In a statement issued Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said the decision followed “extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders” across the country.“

From the outset, the bill was introduced with the best of intentions—to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout,” the statement read.

Citing global examples, the speaker noted that compulsory voting has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Brazil, with similar practices adopted in Argentina and Singapore.

However, he emphasised that Nigeria must pursue democratic reforms that reflect its unique context and public sentiment.

“Lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and any reform must respect individual freedoms,” Speaker Abbas stated.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory , Nyesom Wike, has confirmed his decision to pull out of all agreements previously reached to resolve the crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement on Sunday, singned personally by the Minister, he vowed to continue to fight on until justice is served.

Wike pointed out that the party’s problems stem from dishonesty and lack of trust among its key stakeholders, citing non-adherence to agreements reached as the bane of the party.

He specifically mentioned Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accusing him of being the chief culprit of recent developments in the party that seem to undermine the recoliation efforts

The Minister cited several instances where agreements were breached, including the summoning of a meeting of South-East leaders to recommend the adoption of Ude Okoye as Secretary, and the attempt to have the Deputy National Secretary act as National Secretary.

Wike also mentioned the recent zonal elective congress in Jos, which was aborted due to a dispute over the signatory to the invitation notice.

He expressed disappointment that despite efforts to resolve the crisis, Makinde and others continued to violate agreements.

The Minister noted that he has worked tirelessly for the survival of the party and has contributed substantially to the election victory of some of the governors, but has not had reasons to make any personal demands from them.

He added that he had hoped that there would be trust among major political actors in the party but observed that since they have refused to stop playing games, he has decided to opt out of the peace agreement.

The PDP crisis has taken a new turn with the Minister’s decision to pull out of all agreements, leaving the party’s future uncertain.