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SDGs office, NYSC partner to train SDGs development facilitators

SDGs office, NYSC partner to train SDGs development facilitators
The Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) has partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train trainers for SDGs development facilitators.
The training which is the second edition is a three -day event holding in Abuja is aimed at training corps members who will in turn train others for the effective implementation of the SDGs, especially at the grassroots.
The workshop is tagged Train-The-Trainer Workshop for Facilitators and Schedule Officers of the NYSC-SDGs Champions.
In her keynote address, the SSAP-SDG, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the implementation of the SDGs was centred on capacity building, technology, adequate financing, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
According to her, trainings on youth engagement, particularly at the local communities cannot be overemphasized as the local government is pivotal to the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.
“It is the closest tier to the people and as such, the only tier of government that can feasibly understand, monitor and react to the millions of activities that will collectively add up to the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.
“Youth engagement at the grassroots has been identified as a critical success strategy to the effective implementation of the SDGs implementation.
“The youths can develop and focus on innovative community engagement mechanisms to ensure that citizens are actively participating in the SDGs through Programme design, implementation, evaluation and reporting among others.
“Essentially, we must train and equip our young Champions who are key partners in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development,” Adefulire said.
She added that the NYSC-SDGs Champions must seize the opportunities provided to them and utilize them optimally by taking deliberate actions that translate to productive employment for their financial security and sustainable economic growth and development.
Brig.-Gen.Mohammed Fadah, Director-General, NYSC, pledged his support for the programme in line with policy thrust of the NYSC.
“Management under my administration would promote the NYSC-SDGs and other viable programmes that that will support the government and Non-governmental Organisations in addressing various challenges confronting the nation’s developmental efforts.
“In doing this we shall harness the talents of our corps members to galvanise the populace into becoming informed participants in the process of attaining inclusive and sustainable national development.
“In essence, our corps members shall be the vehicle which drives the process of bridging the information gap between policies and programmes implementation.,” Fadah said.
He, therefore, urged the corps members to take the training seriously to update their knowledge in development issues especially SDG projects.
He was represented by Director, CDS NYSC, Alhaji Abdulrazak Salawu,
In his remarks, Mr Ahmad Kawu, the Secretary of Programmes, (SOP) SDGs said it was commitment of the OSSAP to localise the SDGs in Nigeria, that brought about the training.
“The Training of the Trainer (ToT) is an imperative tool in strengthening capacities for SDGs implementation at the grassroots in Nigeria.
“COVID-19 Pandemic has affected all spheres of our lives. As we are gradually recovery from its socio-economic impact, there is no better time than now to strengthen multi-stakeholders’ engagement to enable us reclaim lost grounds and explore new ways of accelerating action on the SDGs.
“Specifically, this workshop is aimed at building the capacity of the NYSC Schedule Officers and SDGs Development Knowledge Facilitators to enable them to train and recruit the NYSC-SDGs Champions in driving the process of localising the SDGs.
“By translating them into concrete actions through advocacy and meaningful engagement in the 774 local government areas of the country catalyse development initiatives at the community level through stakeholders ‘buy-in, ownership and active participation in our local communities.
“Develop innovative and sustainable strategies in mobilizing partnerships and local financing for the SDGs among other objectives,” Kawu said.
Still speaking on the objectives of the training, Mrs Uforma Dick, Deputy Director, NYSC said the expectations of the workshop include to explore new ways of accelerating action on the 17 goals to increase effectiveness and efficiency of action.
“By targeting multiple SDGs for proper tracing of progress and reporting of the SDGs, as well as building synergies among State and NonState actors.
“To get updates on how to localise the SDGs using advocacy and awareness creation to secure the wellbeing of people, economies, societies and our planet.
”To understand implementation strategies for realization of the decade of action using Innovation and digital skills.
“Proffer practical solutions to challenges limiting the realization of the SDGs. Refresh the minds of the participants on the existing solutions and emerging issues.
“Build consensus and understanding among team leaders on the training packages and contents for uniformity,
develop realistic strategies for effective and sustained service delivery during orientation seminar.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme ‘NYSC-SDGs Champions’ was launched on Feb. 13, 2017 by the OSSAP-SDGs in collaboration with the NYSC as a continuation of the NYSC-MDGs project.
NAN also reports that 43 Development Knowledge Facilitators (DKFs); 37 NYSC Schedules Officers from the 36 States and the FCT; and selected Officers from the NYSC Directorate Headquarters and the Policy and Strategy Unit (PSU) of OSSA-SDGs are the resource persons for the training.
SDGs office, NYSC partner to train SDGs development facilitators
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Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque

Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Lanre-Onilu has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) in recognition of the group’s unwavering dedication to national unity, patriotism, and its exemplary conduct as a corporate citizen that transcends religious divides to promote inclusivity.
Receiving a delegation of the NCYP who pay a courtesy visit to the NOA headquarters, the DG lauded the group’s patriotic stance and contributions to nation-building.
He particularly praised their courage and foresight in supporting the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, a decision taken in the face of opposition from many, especially within the Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.
He said: “I have known this group for quite some time. Notably, you took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket when many others opposed it. Today, the wisdom behind that decision is becoming evident through the visionary leadership being demonstrated—fair representation in appointments, reform-driven governance, and a commitment to inclusive development.
“This alone makes you worthy of the National Values Charter recognition, which embodies the principles of citizenship and patriotism.”
Earlier, the Chairman of NCYP, Mr. Isaac Abrak who led the group, emphasized that the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT -Abuja, who actively participate in politics to improve the welfare of citizens across the region and Nigeria at large.
He noted that the group’s political choices are guided by merit, equity, and the vision of building a tolerant and united society, particularly in enhancing relations between Christians and Muslims in political spaces.
Abrak identified the transformational impact of President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly referencing his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. “His strategic use of local government structures and the reformation of street youth, popularly known as ‘Area Boys,’ into productive contributors to society helped raise Lagos’ Internally Generated Revenue from N6 billion to N11 billion monthly. These bold reforms underpin our support for the full implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government Financial Autonomy.”
He stressed that the local government financial autonomy is a pro-people policy that must be anchored by the people through grassroots engagement. Mr. Abrak offered NCYP’s extensive leadership network—spanning national, state, local government, and ward levels with a workforce of over 30,000—for partnership with the 774 NOA offices nationwide to drive advocacy and implementation of this critical policy.
“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots,” Abrak said. “We are ready to collaborate with NOA to raise public awareness and ensure that local government autonomy delivers development to the doorstep of every Nigerian.”
In his concluding remarks, the NOA DG urged all Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration, citing landmark projects such as the 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the establishment of Regional Development Commissions as initiatives that will spur economic growth and provide intervention across all regions.
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
News
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered

Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has made significant progress in its efforts to dismantle a notorious armed robbery and car snatching syndicate, following the arrest of several suspects on April 11, 2025.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation led to the recovery of a stolen Mercedes Benz C180 (color green), along with a Beretta pistol and a cutlass, which were seized from the suspects.
While some of the suspects have been apprehended, efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and capture the remaining members of the criminal group, who have fled the scene.
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
News
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto

Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A bandit attack on Tungar Dada Village in the Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto on April 13, 2025, has left one person dead and 50 others abducted.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 0400hrs, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village, shooting and killing one individual while abducting 50 villagers to an unknown destination.
Security officials have confirmed the death and are actively pursuing leads to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the suspects.
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
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