National News
FG Establishes Youth Desk to Tackle Challenge Affecting Young Nigerians
FG Establishes Youth Desk to Tackle Challenge Affecting Young Nigerians
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Youth Development, Oyedele Olawande, has announced a collaborative effort with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to establish a Youth Desk Office aimed at tackling issues affecting young Nigerians.
Speaking during the International Anti-Corruption Day event, the minister emphasized the critical role of this initiative in empowering the youth and addressing corruption.
He noted that: “The Nigerian Youth Aid Desk is not just a platform; it is a confirmation that this administration sees, hears, and values the youth.”
Olawande, while describing the initiative as a direct link between young Nigerians and decision-makers, providing avenues for reporting corruption, seeking justice, and accessing help for drug-related issues, noted that the collaboration with UNODC, “will create a safe and empowering space for young people, equipping them with the knowledge to protect themselves from societal vices.
He said: “Together, we are building a more effective response to the challenges facing our youth and creating safe spaces for their development.”
Highlighting the administration’s commitment, Olawande noted that the platform is part of broader efforts to rebuild trust between the government and the youth. He said: “Under this administration, we are determined to rebuild the trust that has been lost. For years, young people have felt left out, but we believe things must change.”
The minister also reflected on the lessons learned from youth protests, including the #EndSARS movement, emphasizing the need for continuous engagement. “The lack of constant engagement with the youth is one reason for protests and the low trust in government. This initiative is a step towards bridging that gap,” he explained.
Olawande extended his gratitude to UNODC for its partnership and called for further collaboration across sectors. He said: “We need open collaborations to ensure the government remains transparent and inclusive. Together, we can make this country proud.”
The Help Desk platform comprises several initiatives designed to reach young people across all states, including the Federal Capital Territory. Olawande emphasized the administration’s commitment: “With ongoing collaboration with UNODC, we will extend this initiative to local governments. Nigerian youth should access justice wherever they are. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to young Nigerians everywhere, regardless of their background.”
The Youth Desk Office, now operational under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is expected to enhance the government’s responsiveness to youth concerns, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to fostering a more inclusive and participatory governance structure.
In his earlier remarks, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Cheikh Toure, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to youth-centered initiatives in Nigeria, particularly in the fight against corruption.
Toure outlined UNODC’s focus on working with the Ministry of Youth Development to address key issues such as drug abuse, human trafficking, cybercrime, and violent extremism.
UNODC Nigeria Country Representative, commended the Minister’s rapid response to youth recommendations. “Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the vanguard of change today. The Nigerian Youth Help Desk empowers the largest demographic to be agents of accountability, bridging the gap between aspiration and action. And I believe by harnessing their energy and potential, we forge a path to justice, security, and progress for all Nigerians. Everyone must embrace this initiative as a catalyst for transformation, recognizing that when we invest in our youth, we invest in the very foundation of our nation’s future.” He affirmed.
Youth champions against corruption, Mr Mubarak Idris and Ms Calista Njoku expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by FMYD and UNODC. They emphasized the readiness of Nigerian youth to build trust and collaborate more effectively with the Federal Government when provided with meaningful participation opportunities.
This year’s Anti-Corruption Day theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” highlights the pivotal role of young people in fostering transparency and accountability.
FG Establishes Youth Desk to Tackle Challenge Affecting Young Nigerians
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected extremists, believed to be members of Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), otherwise known as LUKURAWA have attacked a police checkpoint at Garin Natshini Gada in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State in the early hours of Jan. 3, resulting in the death of two police officers.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, reportedly on motorbikes, overran the Nigeria Police Force personnel stationed at the checkpoint, seizing two AK-47 rifles and other items.
They also rustled a significant number of cattle during the assault. A police patrol vehicle was abandoned at the scene.
Troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Argungu, in collaboration with elements from Augie, responded swiftly by conducting clearance patrols to the affected area, approximately 10 kilometers from Argungu town. Upon arrival, they discovered that the extremists had already vacated the scene.
According to local sources interviewed by the troops, the attackers retreated along identified withdrawal routes. The military has since dominated the area and initiated an exploitation operation to pursue the assailants.
The bodies of the fallen police officers have been evacuated to the morgue while efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle are ongoing as security forces intensify their operations to restore normalcy in the region.
Lukurawa extremist Attack Police Checkpoint in Kebbi, killed 2 policemen
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
By, Jamilu Abubakar
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed has tasked Corps members on the collective resolve to sustain vigorous implementation of the scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity, integration and development of Nigeria.
Ahmed stated this in his 2025 New Year message to the Corps members and staff, in a statement by the acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
The statement further reminded the corps members of the pivotal role of the Scheme in the unity and development of the nation and urged all the serving Corps members to step up more efforts for noble assignments ahead in 2025.
He said: “I want to use this medium to sincerely appreciate your resilience and dogged commitment to duty at your various locations, which culminated in the unprecedented successes we recorded in the year 2024.” The statement said
The statement further added that the scheme was indeed looking ahead, full of optimism that this year will record even greater achievements in our quest to extend the frontiers of development in all the critical sectors of our national economy.
It urged all to step up more efforts for noble assignments ahead, in the collective resolve to sustain vigorous implementation of the Scheme’s mandate of fostering national unity, integration and development of Nigeria, our nation.
“May I also reiterate my commitment to engage relevant stakeholders to increasingly make facilities available, and opportunities for Corps empowerment under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED).
“I also enjoin all Corps Members to actively participate and maximally utilise them for self-development,” he stated.
The DG equally used the medium to appreciate all the collaborating agencies and stakeholders for their invaluable support and assured them of increased opportunities for more engagements in the New Year.
“Management would continue to improve on our statutory responsibilities to Nigerians by ensuring that NYSC consolidates on its laudable achievements as we look forward to a rewarding and prosperous year 2025,” Ahmed said.
NYSC DG tasks Corps members on national unity, development
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
By: Our Correspondent.
The Marama community in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in the state over the release of a murder suspect.
The petition which was written under the auspices of MARAMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, and obtained by our correspondent, stated that “on the 17th of December, 2024, a security man, (Henry Musa), attached to the Government Secondary School Marama was attacked and fatally wounded by one James Musa in public glare”.
‘The victim,’ according to the petition, was rushed to the General Hospital, Biu, while the culprit was arrested and detained at the Divissional Police Headquaters in Azare Hawul Local Government Area.”
Signed by Mdahyelya Buba Yirngau and Samuel Bwala, Secretary and Chairman of the association, a few days after the attack, community members noticed the culprit moving around freely in the town, while the victim was struggling for survival on the hospital bed,”
They called the command headquaters’ attention to the development according to them because the victim eventually died on the 26th of December, 2024, while the James Musa, the suspect has been re-arrested, but they have reservations about the action of the DPO in Hawul, on the matter, since he has released him before without charges, when he was first arrested.
The community made an appeal to the police authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of the suspect, and seeks that the suspect be charged appropriately since the act was undeniable.
While affirming that they community is conscious of the gravity of murder, and covering up this one by the Hawul DPO, for whatever reasons, is a great miscarriage of justice to the victim and the community.
When contacted, the DPO, Habila Lemak CSP, c9nfirmed the development, but claimed that he released the suspect after five days because he refused to eat and that the victim was not dead at that time.
He explained that he is making efforts to transfer the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, in Maiduguri.
Investigations by our correspondent reveal that the community has forwarded their complaints to the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, in the event that attempts are made by the police to sweep the matter under the carpet.
BORNO COMMUNITY PETITIONS POLICE OVER THE RELEASE OF A MURDER SUSPECT BY THE DPO
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