There was wild jubilation across formations of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Friday following the reappointment of Commandant-General Abubakar Audi by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Officers and men of the corps reportedly broke into celebration at several state commands and the national headquarters in Abuja as news of the presidential approval filtered through. Many described the decision as a vote of confidence in Audi’s leadership and a testament to his commitment to strengthening the agency’s mandate.

In a statement confirming the reappointment, senior officials said the President’s decision was anchored on Audi’s “track record of professionalism, operational reforms, and renewed focus on critical national infrastructure protection.”

Since assuming office, Audi has overseen a series of internal reforms aimed at boosting discipline, enhancing personnel welfare, and improving inter-agency collaboration. Under his leadership, the corps intensified efforts against oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal mining, and other economic sabotage activities across the country.

Reacting to the development, some officers said the reappointment would provide continuity and stability at a time when the country faces complex security challenges.

“This is well deserved. The CG has worked tirelessly to reposition the corps and restore confidence in our operations,” a senior officer in Abuja said.

Stakeholders also expressed optimism that Audi’s renewed mandate would further strengthen the NSCDC’s capacity in community policing, disaster management, and the protection of critical national assets.

While thanking the President for the confidence reposed in him, Audi reaffirmed his commitment to deepening reforms, boosting morale within the ranks, and aligning the corps’ operations with the administration’s broader security and economic protection agenda.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, a key paramilitary agency under the Ministry of Interior, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding critical infrastructure, supporting disaster response efforts, and assisting other security agencies in maintaining law and order nationwide.

With his reappointment, observers say the corps is poised for a new phase of consolidation and operational efficiency in the years ahead.

Joje Abebe Fertility Center has dismissed as false and defamatory a series of allegations circulating on social media against its Chief Medical Director, Dr. John Abebe, and the hospital.

In a public statement released by its management, the Abuja-based fertility center said the publications were “deliberately orchestrated and defamatory,” alleging that they were sponsored by one Adamu Hassan Turaki and his associates.

The management described the claims as “spurious, malicious and reckless,” insisting that they were calculated attempts to damage the institution’s reputation and erode public confidence in its services.

“For over a decade, Joje Hospital has built an impeccable reputation for clinical excellence, ethical medical practice and strict patient confidentiality,” the statement read, adding that its records speak for themselves and that it has not engaged in any conduct to justify the allegations being circulated online.

The center further stated that the widespread publication of the claims across multiple social media platforms was a calculated effort to mislead the public and cause reputational and commercial harm to its operations.

While declining to comment extensively on the substance of the allegations, the management confirmed that the matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction and that steps have been initiated to clear the hospital’s name.

The fertility center assured patients, partners and the general public of its continued commitment to high professional standards, ethics and patient care. It also expressed confidence in the judicial process, noting that its legal team is working to ensure that all relevant facts are presented before the court.

The statement concluded with an appreciation to patients and members of the public for their continued trust and support.

In a decisive step toward strengthening social protection and institutional accountability, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, on Thursday paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, at the Government House in Jalingo.

The engagement, held on February 26, 2026, was far from ceremonial. It formed part of a deliberate institutional strategy to build structured partnerships with progressive state governments committed to advancing workers’ welfare and strengthening governance systems.

At the centre of the dialogue was the effective implementation and expansion of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS). Addressing the Governor and senior state officials, Faleye underscored that the Scheme is not merely a statutory obligation but a vital social protection instrument that safeguards dignity for workers and stability for employers.

“When a worker is injured, disabled, or loses his life in the course of duty, the response of the government defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership,” he stated.

The NSITF helmsman commended Governor Kefas for his administration’s welfare-driven posture, noting that expanding ECS coverage aligns directly with the state’s commitment to protecting its workforce. However, he emphasized that beyond policy conversations, the focus must now shift to measurable and time-bound outcomes.

To achieve this, Faleye proposed practical steps aimed at expanding ECS compliance across state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), intensifying sensitization of major employers and contractors operating within Taraba, and strengthening awareness of workplace safety and compensation obligations across the state.

For structured coordination and accountability, he recommended the designation of a focal ministry or official to interface with the Fund. He further proposed the immediate establishment of a joint technical interface between the state’s designated team and the NSITF to develop a short implementation roadmap within weeks. According to him, the Fund has already instituted an internal Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination (SIAC) framework to track timelines and deliverables arising from such high-level engagements.

Highlighting the broader institutional benefits of strengthened ECS compliance, Faleye explained that robust implementation would protect workers, reduce employers’ litigation exposure, promote industrial harmony, and reinforce the administration’s commitment to structured social protection.

In a forward-looking recommendation, he advocated the integration of the ECS Compliance Certificate into Taraba State’s public procurement and contracting processes. Under this framework, companies bidding for state contracts, seeking pre-qualification for projects, registering or renewing contractor status, or engaging in public-private partnerships would be required to provide evidence of NSITF compliance. He clarified that this would not create new obligations but would reinforce existing statutory requirements, ensuring that companies benefiting from public funds are also compliant in protecting their workers.

As the engagement drew to a close, Faleye sought clarity on the state’s preferred coordination structure and formally conferred on Governor Kefas the title of Ambassador and Advocate of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in Taraba State and across the Northeast.

Responding, Governor Kefas warmly welcomed the delegation and affirmed Taraba State’s readiness to key into the Scheme for the betterment of its workforce. He assured that the state would work through the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Local Government to ensure effective implementation.

The Governor expressed appreciation for the recognition of his administration’s efforts and highlighted recent strides in meeting pension obligations, revealing that the state had paid ₦5 billion to pensioners. He expressed optimism that outstanding entitlements would be cleared before the end of the year.

Reaffirming his commitment to the ECS mandate, Governor Kefas pledged that Taraba State would fulfill all obligations under the Scheme in furtherance of its dedication to workers’ welfare. Demonstrating immediate resolve, he approved the constitution of a high-powered committee to interface with the NSITF and drive the state toward full compliance.

The meeting concluded on a note of strategic alignment and shared responsibility, marking a significant milestone in deepening institutional collaboration and embedding structured social protection across Taraba State and the wider Northeast region.