Evening Recap: NYSC introduces new mobilisation requirement, UK opens Chevening applications, other top stories

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Education, public accountability, international opportunities and cultural heritage dominated Monday’s headlines as the National Youth Service Corps introduced a mandatory NERD clearance requirement for prospective corps members, while the United Kingdom opened applications for its 2026 Chevening Scholarships.

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Also making headlines were fresh twists in the controversial fake government agency scandal as the embattled Director-General denied wrongdoing and implicated more ministries, departments and agencies, while a TikTok content creator underwent traditional cleansing after filming the Oloolu masquerade procession in Oyo State, among others.

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Here are the top stories:

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1. FG mandates NERD clearance for NYSC mobilisation

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The National Youth Service Corps has announced that all prospective corps members must present a compliance certificate from the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank before they can be mobilised for national service.

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The NYSC Director-General said the policy is aimed at strengthening institutional accountability, curbing certificate fraud and ensuring that only qualified graduates participate in the scheme. The agency also urged tertiary institutions to sensitise students on the new requirement ahead of mobilisation. ([Naija News][1])

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Read here:https://punchng.com/nysc-makes-nerd-clearance-mandatory-for-corps-members-mobilisation/

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2. TikToker undergoes traditional cleansing after filming Oloolu masquerade procession

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A TikTok content creator has undergone a traditional cleansing ritual after filming the revered Oloolu masquerade procession in Oyo State.

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The incident sparked widespread reactions on social media, with traditional authorities insisting that the masquerade is sacred and should not be recorded without permission. The development has reignited conversations about preserving cultural heritage and respecting traditional institutions in the digital age.

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Read here: https://punchng.com/tiktoker-undergoes-traditional-cleansing-after-filming-oloolu-masquerade-procession/

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3. UK opens applications for 2026 Chevening Scholarships

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The United Kingdom has officially opened applications for the 2026 Chevening Scholarships, inviting outstanding professionals from Nigeria and other eligible countries to apply.

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The fully funded programme offers successful applicants the opportunity to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university, while also providing access to global networking opportunities and leadership development.

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Read here:https://punchng.com/uk-opens-applications-for-2026-chevening-scholarships/

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4. Fake agency scandal: Controversial DG fights back, implicates more MDAs

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The controversy surrounding the alleged fake government agency took a fresh turn as its embattled Director-General denied any wrongdoing and accused additional ministries, departments and agencies of dealing with the organisation.

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The latest claims have further deepened the controversy, with the official insisting that the agency’s activities involved interactions with several government institutions. The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny of the agency’s legal status and operations.

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Read here: https://punchng.com/fake-agency-scandal-controversial-dg-fights-back-fingers-more-mdas/

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5. Oloolu festival: Female TikToker breaks silence, denies filming masquerade

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The female TikTok content creator at the centre of the controversy surrounding the annual Oloolu Masquerade Festival in Ibadan, Oyo State, has denied reports that she filmed the sacred Oloolu masquerade, insisting that she neither recorded the revered traditional figure nor died as widely speculated on social media.

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Speaking via telephone during an interview on Lagelu FM’s Ibi Aye N Lo programme hosted by Adesoye Omotosho on Monday, the woman, identified as Wasilat, also dismissed rumours of her death.

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“I am not dead. I did not capture the Oloolu masquerade. May I not be implicated; I did not record Oloolu.

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Read here: https://punchng.com/oloolu-festival-female-tiktoker-breaks-silence-denies-filming-masquerade/

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