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Tag: Youths

  • Unrest in Abeokuta as Angry Youths Protest Naira, Fuel Scarcity

    Unrest in Abeokuta as Angry Youths Protest Naira, Fuel Scarcity

    Residents, particularly the youths of Abeokuta metropolis, the capital city of Ogun State, on Tuesday, took to the streets in protest over non-availability of the newly redesigned Naira notes as well as petrol, which has paralysed every aspect of life across the State.

    The protesters, who lamented the pains and agonies they were passing through, vandalised the Sapon Branch of the First Bank Plc in Abeokuta to vent their anger.

    The protesters also made bonfires with disused tyres on major streets of the State capital, particularly in Aladesanmi, Fajol and Somorin in Obantoko area of Abeokuta, where they were also chanting anti-government songs.

    The protesters, however, did not touch any passer-by or motorists, whom they described as part of the suffering members of the public.

    When contacted, the Ogun Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the protest, but added that the situation was under control.

    Oyeyemi, who maintained that the State Police Command was still studying the situation, further disclosed that the protest was a simultaneous one across the State and that it would be too hasty to comment on the situation.

    The PPRO also denied that Police bullet killed any of the protesters anywhere in the State.

    However, a viral video shows a resident in pains after being shot on the hand and was being attended to by good samaritans in the ensuing pandemonium.

  • 2023: I’m Banking On You To Beat APC, PDP – Peter Obi Tells Youths, Market Women

    2023: I’m Banking On You To Beat APC, PDP – Peter Obi Tells Youths, Market Women

    The Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Wednesday said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not win the 2023 election because the parties “have expired and lost their political relevance in the country.”

    He said this while speaking with journalists shortly after a meeting with leaders and members of the Labour Party in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    Obi who recently resigned his membership of the main opposition party, said the PDP stepped out of fortune and victory following its refusal to zone the Presidential ticket to the South.

    Speaking through his campaign Director General, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Obi berated the PDP for being “unrighteous and unjust” by jettisoning the zoning arrangement of the party.

    According to him, those who opposed zoning in the PDP undermined the the existence of the PDP and the violated the gentleman agreement of the founding fathers of the party.

    Obi said, he is banking on Nigeria’s workforce, youths, market women to beat both the APC and the PDP at the 2023 general elections.

    He said, “The PDP was a veritable party that was put together by our elders and leaders. Those who came yesterday and said rotation does not matter undermine the very essence of the existence of the PDP, the moment they took that step, the PDP stepped out of line of fortune, of future, of victory because it has become suddenly unrighteous and unjust.

    “There is no unrighteous and unjust pillar that will stand. The PDP was a good platform, but it has expired. The APC was never a good platform, it is of no consequence. The two parties are out, these two parties have expired, they are not relevance to the new things that Nigerians and the youths are looking for.

    “Labour party in the scheme of things is still a very small party, but we are not unaware of that before we moved here. But the Labour Party is a sleeping giant. The potential electorate reservoir of Labour Party is more than three times the membership of APC and PDP put together. NLC, TUC, NURTW, market women, professional bodies, students are all part of Labour Party.

    “The NLC has a membership of about 5 million, the TUC has a membership of about 8 to 10 million, the number of students registered in the Federal universities is about 2.5 million, those who are not in the Federal universities are about 6.7 million, when you add all that together, you are looking at about 20 reserved voters that have direct affiliation with Labour Party.

    “Our strategy will be to reawake the Nigerian workers. Nigeria is going to see something it has not seen before, we will beat APC and PDP pants down.”

  • Youths And Females Challenged To Be Respective Members Of The Society

    Youths And Females Challenged To Be Respective Members Of The Society

    By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

    Yiaga Africa in collaboration with Ukaid Tuesday organized a technical meeting with 23 youths leaders one from each of the 23 local governments in the state.

    Mrs Efemena Ozugha who deliberated on the overview of the turn up Democracy Project mainly spoke about the political party engagement program and expected outcome-youths compact.

    She called on the female gender to engage themselves in any of the handicrafts available in order to assist their households. This she said can assist where the father earn little or no monthly income either from governments or organisations.

    She added that despite the fact that Islamic religion forbids women to work in social places,where they mingle with men,but the religion also approves women to work in places like maternity section of the hospital and other similar areas.

    She similarly discussed the quality leadership of females going by history.

    The ceremony that took place at Dankani Guest Palace Hotel also discussed the outlook of youths participation in politics in Sokoto presented by the Political Science head of department as well as experiences of youths leaders in political parties and developing a youths compact-identifying challenges and solutions to youths participations and representation.

    The whole aim of the brief ceremony is to avail both youths and female gender to avail themselves from the current challenges of poverty,insecurity and all it takes to make a person whole.

    Malam Ibrahim Faruk of the Yiaga organisation said another aim was a fight for youths and females to find themselves in political positions as citizens of this great nation.

    Faruk added that female gender have great roles to play in the political dispensation as they feel places left by their male counterparts in search of greener pastures saying most of the male gender left their offices for more paying jobs like security, political offices and more areas where money flows better.

    He challenged all youths and females particularly in Sokoto to wake up and reduce dependancy for them to be self respected by the society.

  • Unemployment: NDE Trains 50 Youths On Entrepreneurship Strategies In Kogi

    Unemployment: NDE Trains 50 Youths On Entrepreneurship Strategies In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Director General of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo said the Directorate has commenced a 5-day training and sensitization on entrepreneurship strategies for 50 unemployed youths in Kogi state.

    The Director-General who was represented by the Kogi State NDE Coordinator, Mallam Abubakar Zakari, at the flag off ceremony reiterated the resolve of the federal government to lift over 100 million unemployed youths in Nigeria out of poverty.

    The training is aimed at providing the trainees with technical knowledge on how to write a bankable feasibility study, mimic market situation and how to raise start-up capital.

    The Director-General urged the trainees to make good use of the opportunity offered them by government to better their livelihood.

    Mrs. Aliyu Salma Zakari while responding on behalf of the trainees, praised the NDE for its untiring task to fight the monster called unemployment in the country.

    She urged her colleagues to take the training very serious inorder to add value to their respective homes and the nation at large.

  • Osinbajo To Youths: Let Your Generation Heal Wounds, Build A Great Society

    Osinbajo To Youths: Let Your Generation Heal Wounds, Build A Great Society

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has called on Nigerian youths to build a great society, telling them to let their generation heal the country’s wounds.

    Osinbajo made this call on Saturday at the combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Wukari, in Taraba State, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari, the institution’s Visitor.

    In his address titled ‘A Great Future,’ Osinbajo asked young Nigerians to “see the various challenges in our environment as opportunities for the creation of solutions, as we are a nation with a rapidly expanding population with attendant human sustenance needs”.

    “Let it be your generation that will bury those prejudices, heal those wounds and build a great society of brothers and sisters of all tribes and tongues,” the Vice President was quoted as saying via a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Laolu Akande.

    “You belong to a generation of Nigerians ordained by momentous historical circumstances to play on a grander stage. You belong to the most globalized generation ever to walk this earth and your field of competition is not local, but global. You have come of age in the era of a worldwide marketplace of opportunity.

    “Refuse to be consumed by the petty prejudices and biases that predispose you to mutual antagonism with your fellow citizens. You must refuse to be prisoners of history and commit to encountering the world with an open mind.”

    According to him, the Nigerian can-do spirit is an inspiration to establish globally renowned industries and achieve great things, as it has earned many Nigerians international acclaim.

    Noting the impact of young Nigerians in the digital technology space, Osinbajo said: “Our tech entrepreneurs and innovators are not just applying their talents to profit-making endeavours, but also seeking to address social problems.

    “Young Nigerians, such as yourselves, are pioneering new patterns of enterprise and wealth creation and, in the process, have established this country as the most vibrant innovation hub on the African continent.”

    On the Federal Government’s continued support for various initiatives, Osinbajo highlighted initiatives such as the N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund; the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Creative Sector Fund and the over $600 million investing in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, which the president approved recently.

    The iDICE programme will support young techies and creative sector entrepreneurs through the provision of finance, skills development and infrastructure, he said.

    He disclosed that the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme – which will last for five years and will be funded by the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), is set to begin.

    The Vice President stressed that the programme will provide 20,000 young graduates with fully-paid 12-month internships in reputable private and public sector organizations across the country on an annual basis.

    This is even as he emphasised that President Buhari’s administration recognises that infrastructure is key to development like digital technology provides a pathway to accelerated growth.

  • Ambode thanks Lagosians for endorsement, asks youths to get PVCs

    Ambode thanks Lagosians for endorsement, asks youths to get PVCs

    The immediate past governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has appreciated Lagosians for endorsing his contributions to the development of the state.

    The 58-year-old All Progressives Congress chieftain also urged youths to get their Permanent Voters Cards ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    In a Facebook post on Tuesday, he wrote, “After all we have been through, God has been faithful. Thank you for the overwhelming endorsement of our modest contributions to the growth of Lagos. It can only get better for Lagos, and indeed Nigeria. The youths are coming. The power is in their hands. Go and get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ready. Your future is NOW!”

    Ambode was Lagos governor from 2015 to 2019 and had lost his reelection to Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the APC primary due to intra-party squabbles.

    Ambode, the first Lagos governor to stay in office for four years since the return to democracy in 1999, was said to have been kicked out after APC leader and strong man of Lagos politics, Bola Tinubu, anointed Sanwo-Olu.

    Like 56-year-old Sanwo-Olu who assumed office in May 2019, and would be completing his first term in office by May 2023, Ambode is constitutionally permitted to be in office for one more term of four years if the electorate so decide.

    Before Ambode, the current Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, was Lagos governor between 2007 and 2015 while Tinubu was governor from 1999 to 2007.

    Since he left office in 2019, Ambode has been extremely politically reserved. He also has not been seen at functions with any of his predecessors or his successor.

    Though political permutations have earnestly begun ahead of the 2023 elections, Ambode has not declared his intention to run for second term in office but there are indications that Sanwo-Olu wants to return for another four years.

    “I think we are doing a very good job, I dare say so. I think the citizens know what it is they will be missing if they don’t let us continue to wrap up all the things we are doing,” Sanwo-Olu said in a recent interview when asked if he has any plan to throw his hat into the ring in the next election.

  • Empowering Youths Economically, Best Way to Develop Africa – Tony Elumelu

    Empowering Youths Economically, Best Way to Develop Africa – Tony Elumelu

    The Founder and Chairman of Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) HEIRS Holding, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has said that giving economic power to young people remains the only solution to Africa’s developmental challenges, especially in the Sahel region.

    This, according to him, is because 65 per cent of Sahelians are less than 25 years of age and remain adversely affected by the pandemic.

    Elumelu stated this yesterday at the virtual launch of a developmental initiative for the Sahel region tagged, ‘Generation Unlimited (GENU) Sahel: A Leap For Sahel Youth’ which is aimed at connecting Sahel’s young people to opportunities.

    He said more than two million people in the Sahel region are forced to flee their homes with millions losing their major sources of livelihoods as resources are scarce and opportunities are limited leading to more tensions and conflicts in the Sahel region.

    “Empowering and investing in our people, especially our young ones in the Sahel to give them economic hope and opportunities is the only solution. This is what we believe in at the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and we are happy that global partners also buy into this vision. As I have always said, poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us,” he said.

    According to him, TEF has provided over $5000 non-refundable seed capital per beneficiary, business training and mentoring for young entrepreneurs to scale their enterprises.

    “We have funded 10, 898 entrepreneurs across Africa, these young Africans entrepreneurs have gone on to create further 400, 000 direct and indirect jobs across the continent.

    “In 2019, we partnered with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) to identify , train, mentor and fund 2100 young entrepreneurs in the Sahel region and these includes Northern Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Mauritania.

    “Again in 2020 in the heat of the pandemic we partnered with UNDP to train 1860 young Malians which face a triple threats of conflicts , insecurity and poverty as well as loss of means of livelihood from climate change, through our interventions we are well able to create small businesses and generate economic pool in the youth; channeling their creativity and skills to transform the Sahel region,” he said.

    Elumelu called for collective efforts in order to find a lasting solution to all intractable crises that have hindered development in the region.

    Speaking at the virtual launch, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, said the young people from the Sahel would bring improvement and change needed in the region if given the opportunity.

    He noted that among the many challenges facing young people two were more important and pledged to work with Nigeria in the field of digital space.

    “First strengthening education systems from basic education to vocational training to supporting young people finding employment and addressing the lack of governance and political representation from young people.

    He maintained that the private sector has a role to play in young people ”especially in the digital field and I hope that Generation Unlimited Sahel will further strengthen this generation of young people, bringing hope and change.

    The event saw some notable world leaders making pledges towards programmes that will address the critical role of youth in contributing to peace, security, stability, and economic growth in the Sahel.

  • Falana urges youths to engage in politics for better Nigeria

    Falana urges youths to engage in politics for better Nigeria

    Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Monday urged youths to engage more in politics to achieve a new Nigeria.Falana made the call during the 2021 Felabration Symposium, held at Ikeja, Lagos.The theme for this year’s Felabration celebration is “Viva Nigeria”.The theme was picked from late Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s old music titled: ” Viva Africa”, which talked about the essence of staying united as Africans.Our correspondent reports that Felabration is an annual music festival conceived in 1998, by Yemi Kuti, in memory and celebration of her father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, a Nigerian musician and human rights activist known for pioneering the Afrobeat genre of music.Falana, who was late Fela’s lawyer, said that with more organisational capacity, Nigerian youths would contribute more to the growth and development of the country.“Nigerian youths need to get engaged politically, they have roles to play in the struggle for a new Nigeria,” he said.Falana, who recounted the achievements of late Fela said that due to the fact that he talked, acted and sang about Nigerian problems, the late musician was able to correct some societal anomalies.He said that the Anti-torture Act was enacted in 2017 due to late Fela’s clamour that no Nigerian should be subjected to torture in a police station.Tony Nnadi, Secretary General, Lower Niger Congress, urged the Federal Government to work and ensure the amendment of the 1999 constitution.Nnadi said that the content of the constitution worked against the progress of the nation, giving more power and preference to some regions at the detriment of other regions.Arinola Oloko, a certified Mediation Advisor, said that the 1999 constitution does not support women, youths and the physically challenged and as such needed to be changed.Oloko called for the autonomy of the local government to be able to control their finances which would give room for sporadic development at the grassroots.“As citizens of Nigeria, we must be deliberate to make changes in the nation, we need to organise and be united to make the change a reality,” she said.Seun Kuti, son of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti,  suggested that for the constitution to be amended, the youth must engage the people in power politically to ensure the constitution was changed to benefit the six geo-political zones.“Protest, rally, demonstration will not change the constitution because the ordinary citizens do not have the power to do so,” he said.Kuti called on Nigerian leaders to be empathetic for the less privilege and ensure that the rule of law played out.He said the problem of terrorism in the country was due to high level of poverty and unemployment.Kuti urged government to embrace policies that would enhance job creation in the country.“Am not an anarchist, we need to organise ourselves, youths are only a reflection of the society, we don’t have the power to change the society but when the Nigerian professionals engage the youth, we will have a better society,” he said.

  • ActionAid Trains 500 Youths in Peace Building

    ActionAid Trains 500 Youths in Peace Building

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Director, Organisational Effectiveness, ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs Funmilayo Oyefusi, said the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has started a week-long Peace Camp for 500 youths in Kogi.

    Oyefusi who disclosed this on Monday at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, said the aim is to build their capability in peace building and prevention of violent extremism.

    The 2021 Youth Peace Camp according to her was organised by ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with Participation Initiative for Behavioral change in Development (PIBCID) with funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, (GCERF).

    Oyefus who is also the Camp Director, i said that the 2021 Annual Youth Peace Camp on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) focused on fostering youth peace and security in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2250.

    “The Youth Peace Camp themed: “Shaping Peace Through Harmonious Cohabitation” is in pursuance of the System And Structural Straightening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) project in Kogi and Nasarawa.” She said.

    Oyefusi pointed out that the organisation was optimistic of building the physical, emotional and intellectual capacity of the participants to be able to stand as independent peace ambassadors in their communities.

    “We believe that if you are empowered economically and socially, you will not be available to be recruited to engage in conflicts and involve in violent extremism”, she said.

    Declaring the Peace Camp open, Idris Musa, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, lauded ActionAid for its efforts at promoting peace in the state through its various intervention programmes.

    According to him, there is need to promote good morals among the youth for the sustenance of peace, saying that when there is absence of peace, there will be crisis.

    Hajia Fatima Buba, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, enjoined the youths to steer clear of drugs, alcohol and violence adding “Youths as the most dominant in any society must play an active role in peace building. Through our collective efforts as peace builders, we can put an end to this menace,” she said.

    Also speaking, Ms Halima Sadiq, Executive Director, PIBCID said the 2021 edition was the third of the Peace Camp held in the state, camping 500 youths drawn from 12 communities in six Local government areas.

  • Case of Governor AA Sule closing the space between Govt and Youths

    Case of Governor AA Sule closing the space between Govt and Youths

    By Adefolarin A. Olamilekan

    Conversely, half of the world’s population is under 25 years old; as 40 per cent of it under 19. Equally this has shown that we have younger generation than the older generations out there. To this end this is a cause for worry but it also a ray of hope for the future.

    However, it has been said that young people are always at the centre of public advancement once the opportunity is avail them.

    This now bring us to core of this piece, charging the Nasarawa state government under the leadership of our amiable Governor AA Sule administration closing the gap between his administration and youths in the state.

    It is reassuring in any case that the Governor AA Sule administration has committed to youth programmes model to treat young people as an assets and resource.

    Under Governor AA Sule administration more youths are now assuming leadership roles, especially in their LGAs and communities level. The recent APC LGAs and Ward Councillorship attest to this, as well as appointments.

    It is on records that Nasarawa state can boost of shining youths with great skills and intellects.

    Nonetheless, the developmental challenges in Nasarawa state today are particularly intricate and interconnected one such is given greater space for youth development and aspiration

    Interestingly, we have listen to Governor in the person of Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule that will not allow a developmental thrust driven by competing political, social and economic, religious and cultural even party affiliation forces.

    Convincingly, he in his capacity should be able to establish a system that works to a considerable degree in bringing Nasarawa state young people into a new reality of governance.

    Simply put, the phenomenon of governance in today Nasarawa state cannot avoid its teeming young people helping to solve and contributing in our challenges in the state.

    One of slang of youth l comes to appreciate “there is no time for no time”

    Thus, it is never late; we must bring to the fore our hands in collaboration with Governor AA Sule administration leading in our state developmental strides

    Nevertheless, envisioning and working toward a state of affairs where young people of Nasarawa state male and female alike take action and make an impact on vital state as well as there community issues. Meanwhile, we believe Governor AA Sule administration is so concerned about the development of Nasarawa state our case is to factor at the centre young people.

    And this we accept as true to Governor AA Sule in his administration blue print of development. Poignantly, “Engagement” is the key, this in our “Modest” submission.