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FG assures of harnessing youths potential for economic growth
FG assures of harnessing youths potential for economic growth
The Federal Government has reassured that it will continue to harness youth potentials in the country with a view to enhancing sustainable economic growth and development.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the closing ceremony of the six-week training on Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), organised by the Ministry across the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He said that deliberate and strategic investment in young people is required for the high percentage of the youth population in the country to become a demographic dividend.
“When the youth are positively engaged, there will be a reduction in the indices of crime and delinquency, which are factors that are inimical to national development efforts”, Dare said.
He stated that the approach of the Ministry has been the inclusion of youth employment as a priority segment of the National Youth Policy (NYP) for which a framework for implementation has been provided in the Nigerian Youth Employment Plan (NYEP), adding that the agenda which will be launched in the next few weeks, will deliver a comprehensive approach to youth employment interventions through multi sector collaborations, that emphasize on the Four Es: Employability, Entrepreneurship Development, Employment Creation and Equal Opportunity.
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“This framework will ensure the inclusion of partners across sectors and will create a robust partnership base through my Ministry that will ensure wider reach of youth employment programmes across the country. With new challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions and a robust partnership are required to support youth participation in the process of rebuilding through deliberate and strategic investment that will lead to sustainable economic growth and transformation”, the Minister added.
According to him, the programme is an expression of the priority focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration which is to among other things ensure “job creation for youth and to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years”.
He therefore called on all Nigerian youth to take up the challenge for self-development that will support their inclusion in nation building, stating further that youth have the potentials, talents and energy for skills development and other opportunities that will give them leverage in the global economy.
Mr. Dare assured further that the present Administration is committed to the task of youth development and will continue to provide an enabling environment and innovative solutions to challenges of youth in the country.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako while distributing starter packs and other empowerment tools to the participants at the closing ceremony in Abuja, stated that the Ministry will continue to ensure full implementation of the programmes and projects of the Federal Government in line with the policy thrust of the present Administration.
He explained that the Ministry will continue to monitor their progress periodically to provide guidance and ensure compliance in line with the objectives of the programme.
Mr. Anako who applauded the Federal Government on its various interventions on youth empowerment, particularly the DEEL initiative which was conceived and launched by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, said that the programme was designed to ensure a coordinated mechanism that will employ strategies to enhance the competitive aged of Nigerian youth with a focus on Digital Skills, Employability, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Mentoring.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the Ministry, Mr. Gbenga Momoh assured that participants will put the skills they acquired during the training into practice for the purpose of self-development so as to enhance economic growth.
FG assures of harnessing youths potential for economic growth
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Monday conducted a precision air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Kollaram, within the Marte axis of the Lake Chad region.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the l airstrike, which was executed at approximately 0610 hours, followed credible intelligence and surveillance reports indicating the presence of terrorist elements and their logistical infrastructure in the area.
The sources said that the post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), shows that the air interdiction resulted in the destruction of key terrorist structures and critical logistics, in the Lake Chad corridor.
A senior military source, who confirmed the operation disclosed that the strike was part of ongoing efforts to maintain aerial dominance and sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North East theatre of operations.
“The operation was carried out with precision munitions tp ensure the neutralisation of only hostile targets. The destruction of these facilities significantly hampers the enemy’s ability to regroup or launch coordinated attacks in the region,” the source said.
He said that preliminary intelligence suggests panic and disarray within the terrorist ranks, with reports of survivors fleeing towards nearby islands for cover.
The source added that further reconnaissance is ongoing to track fleeing elements and prevent any regrouping attempts.
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorist Enclave in Marte Axis of Lake Chad
Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Friday, 18th and Monday, 21st April 2025 as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter Celebration.
The Easter festival comes after the 40 days fasting (Lent), with a holy weekend starting with Good Friday, Sunday (the day of Resurrection of Christ) and Easter Monday, all showcasing the virtues of sacrifice and resurrection.
Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo while making the holidays declaration on Tuesday on behalf of the Federal Government, extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on the joyous occasion.
He emphasized the importance of the holidays to Christians, which embody the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, having to die for the redemption of man.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister also called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.
He reassured citizens of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster national growth and development.
He encouraged Nigerians to extend love and goodwill to their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity, wishing
all Christians a blissful Easter celebration, while extending warm holiday greetings to all Nigerians.
Friday 18th, Monday 21st Declared Public Holidays for Easter
ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the massacre in Plateau State that left over 40 persons dead, describing it as yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence.
AAN, in a statement on Tuesday by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu said it
is “outraged by the savage attack on Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which left over 40 innocent Nigerians dead in a single night. This cold-blooded massacre, carried out in the early hours of Monday, April 14, is yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State.”
It insisted that: “This was not a sudden or unpredictable tragedy. Community members, raised alarms ahead of the attack. They warned of threats. They called for help. But once again, they were ignored. The attackers stormed Zike around midnight and operated for nearly two hours- killing, burning and destroying- while security forces were nowhere to be found.”
The statement further read that: “ActionAid Nigeria condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms and holds the Nigerian government accountable for its continued failure to protect lives of Nigerians in Plateau state and across the country.
“We stand in total and unshakable solidarity with the people of Zike and every community across Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu that has suffered these atrocities. These are not numbers; these are human beings, families, farmers, and children. Nigerians who deserve to live in peace and dignity.
“ActionAid Nigeria demands immediate and concrete action from both the Federal and Plateau State Governments. These include:
“A thorough, independent investigation into the Zike massacre- followed by prosecutions.
“The urgent deployment of well-equipped and accountable security personnel to protect high-risk communities.
“Direct humanitarian intervention for survivors: shelter, food, trauma care, and medical support.
“A clear and time-bound strategy to end impunity and prevent further violence, with full community participation.
“Structural peace building measures to address the root causes of the crisis- land disputes, ethnic tension, state neglect, and militarised impunity.
The statement further added that: “ActionAid Nigeria also calls on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and the Chief of Defence Staff to go take action. Condemnations after each attack mean nothing if they are not followed by action.
“ActionAid Nigeria will continue to stand with the affected Nigerians, and amplify their voices.”
ActionAid Nigeria Describes Zike Massacre, Another Shameful Cycle of Violence
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