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FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

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FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

As VP Shettima calls for coordinated results to drive economic growth

By: Our Reporter

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday, rallied global development partners, industry leaders, and policymakers to deepen investment in the Federal Government’s ongoing skills acquisition drive targeting millions of Nigerian youths.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima called for clarity, collaboration, and coordinated results from relevant stakeholders, emphasising the need for investments in a more coherent national system, where skills lead to jobs that are enterprising enough to drive economic growth.

The Vice President stated this in Abuja when he declared open the National Skills and Industry Alignment Roundtable Series (Q1 2026) with the theme, “Bridging Skills Supply and Labour Market Demand.”

The event was convened by the Office of the Vice President, with support from the European Union (EU).

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the Vice President commended the European Union for its continued partnership and support for Nigeria’s job creation and youth development agenda.

He noted that the collaboration had been instrumental in strengthening coordination and advancing collective efforts to create opportunities for young Nigerians.

Senator Shettima stressed that Nigeria stands at a decisive moment in its history, noting that the country is home to one of the largest youth populations in the world, with millions entering the labour market each year—full of ambition, energy, and potential.

He, however, observed that the vast majority of available jobs are informal, unstable, and not fully connected to productivity and growth, requiring sustained and targeted interventions to ensure graduates are job-ready and equipped with relevant skills.

“This tells us one thing very clearly—the challenge is not simply job creation; it is alignment. Nigeria does not have a talent problem. Until skills meet industry demand, job creation will remain below its full potential,” he said.

Spotlighting the government’s position, the Vice President affirmed that the Tinubu administration is determined to address this challenge.

He continued: “We are moving away from fragmented programmes, isolated interventions, and uncoordinated investments toward a more coherent national system—one where skills lead to jobs, jobs lead to enterprise, and enterprise drives economic growth.

“Last year, under the leadership of the Vice President and with the support of the European Union, the Office of the Vice President undertook a mapping of the national job creation ecosystem and convened a National High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation.

“That engagement made it clear that sustainable employment will not come from government alone, but from a coordinated ecosystem where the private sector leads and government enables. It is in continuation of that effort that we are gathered here today.”
VP Shettima further noted that the Roundtable Series was designed as a structured platform for engagement, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, and institutions to align efforts, build trust, and drive practical solutions.

He stated that, beyond ongoing multi-faceted investments, the Federal Government seeks to move from dialogue to deliberate action, connecting the dots between training and employment, education and industry, and policy and outcomes.

He emphasised that while government must align programmes with real economic demand, all stakeholders have a role to play in actualising President Tinubu’s skills policy direction.

“Job creation cannot be outsourced to government alone—industry must take its place at the table, not just as employers but as co-creators of the workforce Nigeria needs. The private sector must clearly articulate the skills it requires and actively participate in shaping them.

“Development partners also have a critical role—not just in funding programmes, but in supporting alignment, coordination, and scale around what works. Ultimately, what we are seeking is simple—clarity, collaboration, and results,” the VP said.

The Vice President declared that the time for fragmented action was over, stressing that the moment demands coordinated results, even as he said Nigeria has the talent, energy, and opportunity, but requires coordination, discipline, and execution from relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, stated that the roundtable was very important to the ministry, noting that many employers are seeking skilled workers.

He explained that housing development involves a wide chain of activities—from architects to engineers to bricklayers—and requires collaboration among stakeholders and development partners to address the housing deficit, which will, in turn, drive economic growth.

For his part, the EU Head of Cooperation for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, acknowledged ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, and other development partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to drive impact in skills development and job creation.

According to him, the EU has, in recent years, focused on fostering organic engagement within Nigeria’s production system.

“We grow skills where they matter, where they are required, and where they are defined,” he said, commending the Office of the Vice President for ensuring that relevant fellowship programmes for Nigerians such as 3MTT are embedded within a broader ecosystem.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Akubo Adegbe, described the roundtable series as a deliberate and ongoing effort by the Office of the Vice President and the EU to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s job creation ecosystem.

He added that the series serves as a structured platform to bring together key actors to deliberate on how to impact priority sectors of the economy, moving from collaboration to measurable outcomes.

Other participants at the roundtable include representatives of the Organised Private Sector, the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

FG Targets Millions Of Youths For Skill Acquisition, Rallies Global Partners

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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