EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria

…Inaugurates 25 Young People into Youth Sounding Board

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) has explained that its main interest in Nigeria is to help in building a stable, united, prosperous, and sustainable future.

It made this revelation at the inauguration of the second cohort of the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Nigeria, comprising 25 young people drawn from across the country.

Through the YSB Nigeria, the European Union provides a platform for young people to have an influence on the policies and programmes by the EU Delegation in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the European Union Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, explained that through the programme, the EU hopes to enable active engagement and exchanges between young people and decision-makers.

He further stated that the YSB has been advising the EU Delegation on youth participation and empowerment across a broad range of topics, such as employment, education, environment and climate change, human rights and democracy, peace and security, digitalisation, technology, gender, and social inclusion.

He said: “Sometimes, the EU is asked what its interest, purpose, and objective are in cooperating with Nigeria. Our main interest is to help this country build a stable, united, prosperous, and sustainable future. This is also in our interest.

“Young people are the future. Now, there is a stronger inter-generational gap. This is because society has changed, technology has changed, and there are, perhaps, more differences between how young people are living their formative years compared to older generations,” he said.

Mignot further noted that the YSB was created to influence the EU Delegation’s interventions and its impact on local communities across Nigeria. “Only young people know what other young people expect, need, and yearn for. That is why the voice of young people is so important,” he added.

Speaking about the expectations for the new cohort of the YSB, he said, “Today, we welcome another group of 25 remarkable young Nigerians who remind us of the vast potential inherent within this country. The selection process started in May 2024. We received over 3,000 applications from young people across Nigeria. It was a very selective process, and we conducted three rounds of selection to identify the 25 individuals who now form this second cohort.

“Each of these 25 young people has a strong passion for youth inclusion and I am very hopeful that over the course of their tenure as members of the Youth Sounding Board, they will build on the results achieved by the first cohort and make their own mark in ensuring that the European Union’s interventions are increasingly youth-inclusive.”

Iswat Badmus, a youth development and engagement expert and a member of the pioneer cohort of the YSB Nigeria, said, “Being a YSB member has been eye-opening for me because, through my work as a Youth and Policy Advisor with the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, I was able to understand the workings of the EU in Nigeria and also understand the struggles of young people in Nigeria when it comes to getting their voices heard and participating in decision-making processes.

“So far, my key contribution as a YSB member is amplifying the voices of young people—that is, acting as an intermediary between young people and the EU. I let the EU know what young people clamour for and how they can fully protect their interests when it comes to projects, policies, and programmes.

“To the incoming YSB members, I say congratulations to you. One key piece of advice I will give is to come in with huge energy, fresh perspectives, and innovations, and work as a team. Your team spirit is what will help you move forward and faster.”

EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria

CISLAC Asks for Transparency and Openness in Handling Rebirth of Nigeria’s Mining Companies

By: Michael Mike

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has expressed concerns over potential irregularities in the procurement process for selecting a Transaction Adviser to revitalize the Ajaokuta Steel Complex Limited (ASCL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) in Itakpe.

CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), in a signed statement, said in two separate letters addressed to the Minister of Steel Development and the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, urged the government to ensure transparency and adherence to legal standards in the ongoing procurement process.

According to CISLAC, the strategic economic significance of ASCL and NIOMCO necessitates a rigorous and transparent process in selecting a qualified adviser.

The organisation emphasized that the process should uphold public trust by strictly adhering to due process to ensure the selection of the most competent adviser.
However, CISLAC pointed out that the Request for Proposal (RFP) failed to specify the weight assigned to quality and cost factors, as required by Section 51(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, thus undermining fairness in the selection process.

CISLAC also noted that the technical scores of bidders were not disclosed before opening financial proposals, which violates Section 51(4) of the Act.

The absence of explicit evaluation criteria in the RFP also contravenes Section 46 (1)(e), potentially allowing arbitrary scoring.

CISLAC also highlighted that Sections 23-24 of the Act mandate the transparent publication of bid opportunities and contracts awarded, a standard that has not been met in this case.

CISLAC Asks for Transparency and Openness in Handling Rebirth of Nigeria’s Mining Companies

VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election

*** Says President Tinubu fully behind gov to sustain APC’s commitment to their well-being

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has implored the people of Ondo State to re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, assuring that the duo will bring hope, prosperity, unity and ensure the sun continues to shine brighter in the Sunshine State.

Specifically, the VP told the electorate in the state to ensure their votes collectively become their voice, conviction and message to those underestimating the strength and will of the state.

Senator Shettima gave the charge on Wednesday while addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure, for the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in the state capital ahead of the gubernatorial election.

His words: “Governor Aiyedatiwa is not merely campaigning to hold onto a position—he is campaigning to bring hope, prosperity, and unity to every corner of Ondo State. I am confident he is the leader who can turn these ambitions into realities.

“This election is more than a choice between two candidates. It is a choice between progress and stagnation, between unity and division. It is a chance to stand with a party that has consistently delivered and with a leader who truly understands the heartbeat of Ondo.

“So, as you go to the polls, remember what we stand for. Remember what you deserve: a governor with the experience, the compassion, and the strength to keep pushing Ondo toward greatness. Let’s secure Ondo’s future together. Let’s vote APC, and let’s re-elect Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.”

Extending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of the state, VP Shettima said the President who is fully in support of Aiyedatiwa is confident that the Governor’s re-election will sustain the commitment of the governing APC to the people’s well-being.

“Today, I bring you the goodwill of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who would have loved to be here today but is currently engaged in securing critical development and investment opportunities for our nation at a summit in Saudi Arabia. Yet, he is with us in spirit, and he has fully endorsed the Aiyedatiwa-Adelami ticket as the torchbearers of prosperity for Ondo State,” he stated.

The Vice President urged the people of Ondo to look beyond what he described as “distractions and the noise from the usual suspects,” even as he told them to “look instead at the integrity and stability the APC has brought to this state.

“Look at the work we’ve done to strengthen our economy, even if the gains may not always be immediately visible. And consider the real, practical solutions the APC offers to make the sun shine brighter in Ondo State,” he added.

Palpably elated by what he termed “the passion” in the faces of the teeming APC supporters in the state, Shettima said he would have asked Governor Aiyedatiwa to return home and wait for them to deliver their mandate to him, adding however that the moment of the campaign grand finale was necessary “to celebrate ahead of election day.

The VP further described Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy as men of exceptional courage and leaders who have been tested by challenges that would have deterred many, noting that the Governor “has shown remarkable resilience in building a formidable force for the APC here in Ondo.

“From overcoming politically motivated attacks to uniting our great party, he has proven himself not just a survivor but a leader who stands strong for the good people of the Sunshine State,” he further noted.

Earlier, the Governor of Ondo State and candidate of the APC for the Saturday governorship election, Aiyedatiwa, urged the people to vote for APC.

After asking the mammoth crowd which party they would vote for, and receiving a resounding cheers from the people, he said, “The former Governor of blessed memory, Rotimi Akeredolu, would be happy seeing all of you vote APC to win the election.”

Aiyedatiwa said the late Governor once told him that he would succeed him, and would be glad to see this happen come next Saturday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa observed a minute silence in the late Akeredolu’s honour, telling the crowd that while he was not out to engage in a long statement, the citizens could as well attest to the level of development happening in the state, even as he promised that by the time he returns, he will do his best.

In his remarks, National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, vowed that “by the grace of God come Saturday the 16th of November, Governor Aiyedatiwa will win the gubernatorial election.”

He asked the people of Ondo to come out en masse and vote for Aiyedatiwa, adding that “a vote for the Governor is a vote for unity, a vote for peace and a vote for development.

At the end of his remarks, Ganduje invited Vice President Shettima to hand over the party’s flag to the Governor and candidate of the party.

Earlier, the Vice President had paid homage to the Deji of Akure Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in his palace where he commended the royal father for preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom for many centuries.

VP Shettima said Akure stands proudly as a testament to the greatness that lies in heritage and unity, adding that the kingdom had long been inspiring the nation.

“This place of gathering and governance, preserved across centuries, serves as a pillar of cultural integrity and continuity. The enduring structure of this palace, a monument over 850 years old, is a reminder that Akure’s strength and grace remain constant through generations,” he stated.

Responding, the traditional ruler commended President Tinubu’s administration for his recent approval for the establishment of a teaching hospital in Akure.

“His Excellency, the Vice President, help me to convey my appreciation to the President; he just approved our teaching hospital. Akure is the only state capital that doesn’t have a teaching hospital. The president has just approved it last week. So, help me convey our gratitude to him sir,” the royal father said.

He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving a five per cent monthly allocation for traditional rulers in the state, imploring the people of Akure to vote massively for the APC in next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Also present at the campaign rally were Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Secretary of APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, among many other dignitaries.

VP SHETTIMA TO ONDO PEOPLE: The Sun Will Shine Brighter In Sunshine State With Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election