South-East leaders on Saturday declared that they will continue to support the existence of Nigeria as an indivisible, united entity built on love, fairness, equity and justice.

The presidential delegation was led by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who is the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

They also lauded the Federal Government on the matured and responsive manner it handled all issues relating to the EndSARS protest and agitation.

It also called for joint operation by security agencies and local vigilant groups into all forests in the zone to flush out criminals and killer herdsmen with AK47 rifles.

It also called on the Federal Government to continue its support and diplomatic push for the former Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to be elected as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The statement said that the states in the zone will provide money for the compensation for those affected by the EndSARS protest, help to rebuild police stations and their logistics; while engaging the youths constantly to forestall any violent development in the zone.

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Youth Service Corps to ensure the enrolment of corps members in the National Heath Insurance Scheme, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, said on Monday.

He also assured that the NYSC has intensified liaison with security agencies for to ensure the security of corps members wherever they are serving in the country.

Ibrahim stated this during a media chat with Bureau Chiefs, Media Executives and Correspondents which held in Abuja.

According to him, with the annual mobilisation of over 300,000 corps members, the NYSC no doubt, “remains the most critical platform for mentoring Nigerian youths as drivers of national unity and development.”

“I wish to use this opportunity to again express our gratitude to the security agencies and other stakeholders for their support. Furthermore, the scheme has concluded arrangement with the NHIS for the enrolment of corps members into the NHIS in line with a presidential directive. We have also expended huge resources on critical health needs of corps members, including footing of medical bills”, Ibrahim said.

The Presidency has said those who allowed the recent #EndSARS protests to degenerate into the destruction of lives and properties in the country must account for their actions.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, made this known on Sunday.

It had been reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria froze the accounts of 20 #EndSARS champions while another promoter of the movement, Modupe Odele, was prevented from travelling last week and had her passport seized by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

When asked whether his principal was aware of the development, Shehu said the buck stops at the table of the President, noting that the protesters must face the law.

He said, “This country has only one president and has only one constitution. President Muhammadu Buhari is responsible for his government. The buck stops on his table.

“We are a country governed by law. There is a constitution —under section 33— that clearly defines the rights of citizens to freely protest in a peaceful way but where a peaceful protest turns into riot, violence and looting, there is a law and order duty to be performed.

“Everyone witnessed the massive looting of public and private properties particularly in Lagos, Calabar, Plateau, Taraba and some other states, even the FCT.

 “Now, the laws of the country must be allowed to decide, to rule on wrongdoing on the part of anybody.

“I am not particular about any celebrity or promoter but this country has been harmed enormously and people should be prepared to account for what they did.”

He added that some politicians who promoted the #EndSARS demonstrations including those of the Peoples Democratic Party should “publicly denounce” the attendant destruction caused by the protest.

Governors and monarchs in the South-West region, on Sunday, called on the Federal Government to ensure the regulation of the social media.

In a communique issued after a meeting of the governors, traditional rulers and a Presidential delegation in Lagos yesterday, the leaders lamented the negative effect of fake news peddled on social media during the recent #EndSARS protests and the attendant violence.

The leaders also urged the FG to resolve the impasse between itself and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to allow students return to the classroom.

The communique partly read, “We recognise the damaging and negative impact of fake/false news and worry about its destructive and dangerous potency of fake news. We call on the federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news. 2015 Cyber Act will also be fully used.

“Federal Government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian Security and not its destruction by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gatekeeping should be fully employed.”

Those at the meeting are Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, and ministers from the region also attended the meeting.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, amongst others, were also present at the meeting.

It was earlier reported that the Mohammed said the country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if the issue of fake news is not urgently addressed, insisting on the regulation of social media in the country.

The move, which was supported by northern governors, has, however, been condemned by civil society organisations who described it as a violation of the right to free speech.

The Kaduna State government has urged residents of the state to turn out en masse and participate in the coronation ceremony of the new Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli.

Bamalli is to be installed as the 19th emir of Zazzau today, November 9, at the Muhammadu Aminu Square, Race Course, GRA Zaria.

Chairman of the Central Working Committee for the installation ceremony, Ja’afaru Sani, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

Sani, who is also the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said arrangements had been concluded to facilitate smooth conduct of the installation ceremony.

He said the new emir would host a special durbar as part of activities lined up to celebrate the installation.

The commissioner enjoined the people of the state to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of Zazzau Emirate and the state at large.