News
FG: Youth to get 30 percent Inclusion in Government
FG: Youth to get 30 percent Inclusion in Government
By: Michael Mike
The federal government is currently planning to push for 30 percent inclusion in government in the country.
Speaking at the commemoration of the International Youth Day in Abuja, Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio disclosed that efforts were ongoing to enact a law that will guarantee a 30 per cent inclusion of youth in government in Nigeria.
At the event rganised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme “Forging the Future: Youth-Led MSMEs Innovating with Digital Solutions to Secure Sustainable Growth, Global Trade, and Resilient Food and Energy Systems”, the Minister said the current government was doing a lot for the youth, adding that the Federal Executive Council had approved a 30 per cent inclusion for youths in the country.
She however said the intention was to institutionalise the policy, disclosing that her office was currently working with the national assembly to pass a law that will give the youth a seat at the table.
She said: “The Federal Executive Council approved the institutionalization, not just as a policy now, but taking a bill to the parliament and we solicit support we can get to ensure that this bill is advocated for and it is passed into law to ensure 30% minimum, 30% youth inclusion in government across all tiers of government
“If we have 48 ministers on the cabinet, we’re talking about, if this bill is passed, we’re saying we’ll have at least 15 young people under the age of 40 in the cabinet in the next dispensation.
“So we seek your support to help us have more voices to speak to the challenges that young people face.”
She said the inclusion of more youth in decision and governance would enhance rapid development both in policy making and financial autonomy for nation-building.
The Minister said the dialogue was a significant step towards President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s goal to build young entrepreneurs.
The Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, Ms Elsie G. Attafuah, in her welcome address said over 250 MSMEs from across Nigeria registered for the event, saying it was a testament to the innovative spirit and collaborative drive Nigerian youth possess.
She said: “73% of entrepreneurs here are between 18 and 35 years old, highlighting the significant role young people play in driving digital startups and business innovation. 60% have tertiary-level education, leveraging their knowledge to innovate, particularly in agriculture, technology, and services.
“Yet, despite this foundation, challenges remain — 49% of these businesses earn up to only 1 million Naira annually, underscoring the struggle to scale amid broader economic constraints.”
She noted that despite the strong foundation of educated and experienced young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, significant barriers still prevent many from fully realising their potential.
She said the UNDP is an integrator and the lead agency for the SDGs, adding: “That’s why my colleagues and our government partners are here today—to listen to you and, more importantly, to leverage your insights as we design our next set of actions for youth businesses in Nigeria.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said: “According to International Labour Organisation’s World Employment and Social Outlook Report, globally, nearly 1 in 4 young people (23.5 per cent or 289 million) were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in 2023. Here, the National Bureau of Statistics puts the youth unemployment rate at 13.4 percent in 2023.”
She added that: “Evidently, the current state of youth unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria demands immediate attention and action. The consequences of this situation, including frustration and social unrest among youth and families, are severe and immediate. With over 60percent of Nigeria’s population under 25, initiatives like this are urgently needed.
“As policymakers, we have since recognise the unique perspectives, creativity, and energy that young people bring towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.With the ICT sector now contributing about 13 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), youth-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are using available technology to expand the productive capacity of the economy.
“Of the about 41.5 million registered small businesses in Nigeria, SMEs sub-sector accounts for 96 percent of total businesses in the country and have contributed about 50 percent to the national GDP (NBS, 2023). Undoubtedly, this sub-sector is crucial to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.”
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Mohamed Fall said: “In recent years, the world has witnessed unprecedented changes driven by digital innovation. Across the globe, youth are leading this charge, utilizing technology to create businesses, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Africa, where the youth population is rapidly expanding, the digital economy offers a unique opportunity to accelerate economic growth, reduce unemployment, and create sustainable livelihoods.
He added that: “According to the concept note prepared for this Youth Engagement Week, digital transformation is one of the six pivotal transitions that can catalyze progress across the SDGs. With over two-thirds of the world now online and mobile phone subscriptions surpassing 8.63 billion in 2022, the digital landscape offers a fertile ground for innovation and economic development. In Nigeria, as in many African nations, young people are already harnessing the power of technology to drive change. They are not just participants in the digital revolution; they are its leaders, its visionaries, and its most ardent advocates.
Today’s youth are digital pioneers. They are using mobile devices, digital platforms, and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to create new opportunities and solve complex challenges. This digital revolution is directly linked to over 70% of the 169 SDG targets, making it a crucial tool in our efforts to achieve sustainable development.
“In Nigeria, young entrepreneurs are developing innovative solutions that address critical issues such as food security, climate change, and access to education. From digital agriculture platforms that connect farmers with markets to fintech solutions that make financial services accessible to all, young Nigerians are proving that technology can be a powerful force for good.
“As we look across Africa, we see similar stories of innovation and resilience. Youth-led businesses are thriving in the digital economy, capitalizing on opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand their reach and impact. These young entrepreneurs are not just building businesses; they are building the future of Africa—a future where technology is leveraged to create inclusive and sustainable growth.
“However, as we celebrate these achievements, we must also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. Digital transformation is not without its obstacles. Access to technology remains unequal, particularly in rural areas, where infrastructure is often lacking. Digital literacy, too, varies widely, with many young people lacking the skills needed to fully participate in the digital economy.”
FG: Youth to get 30 percent Inclusion in Government
News
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
By: Michael Mike
The government of Cuba has intensified accusations against the United States over the island’s worsening electricity and economic crisis, while cautiously welcoming reports of a proposed $100 million American aid package amid growing humanitarian concerns.
In separate statements issued this week, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and government officials argued that the country’s severe power shortages, fuel scarcity, and economic hardship are direct consequences of decades-long U.S. sanctions and what Havana described as an increasingly aggressive “energy blockade.”
The latest developments come as Cuba experiences one of its most difficult periods in recent years, marked by prolonged blackouts, shortages of food and medicine, rising inflation, and mounting public frustration.
Díaz-Canel said the situation affecting Cuba’s National Power System had become “especially tense,” with authorities forecasting a deficit of more than 2,000 megawatts during peak evening demand.
According to the Cuban leader, fuel shortages alone were responsible for preventing the generation of at least 1,100 megawatts of electricity, significantly worsening blackouts across the country.
He accused Washington of deliberately obstructing fuel supplies to Cuba by threatening sanctions and punitive measures against countries and companies willing to trade with Havana.
“This dramatic worsening has a single cause: the genocidal energy blockade that the U.S. has imposed on our country,” Díaz-Canel declared.
The Cuban president argued that recent improvements in electricity supply during April demonstrated the direct relationship between fuel imports and power generation capacity.
He noted that the arrival of a single fuel tanker — out of the eight Cuba reportedly requires monthly — temporarily reduced electricity deficits and mitigated blackouts, though outages did not disappear entirely.
Díaz-Canel further accused sections of the U.S. media and political establishment of attempting to portray Cuba’s economic crisis as solely the result of government mismanagement while ignoring the impact of sanctions and economic restrictions.
According to him, neither the decades-old U.S. embargo nor the additional sanctions imposed during the administration of former President Donald Trump had succeeded in overthrowing the Cuban Revolution.
He alleged that more recent executive measures targeting fuel supplies, foreign trade, and investment in Cuba were specifically designed to increase suffering among ordinary citizens and provoke unrest against the government.
Despite the criticism, Havana has also reacted cautiously to reports that the United States Department of State had formally proposed an aid package valued at $100 million for Cuba.
In a separate government statement, Cuban authorities said it remained unclear whether the proposed assistance would come in the form of direct financial support or material aid such as fuel, food, or medicine.
The Cuban government said it was prepared to consider foreign aid offered in good faith and expressed openness to working with the Catholic Church in implementing humanitarian support efforts.
“We are willing to hear the details of the offer and how it would be implemented,” the statement said, while warning against any attempt to use humanitarian assistance for political leverage.
Havana maintained that the most meaningful support Washington could provide would be the easing of economic, commercial, financial, and energy restrictions imposed on the island.
Cuban officials argued that sanctions had intensified “as never before” in recent months, severely affecting nearly every sector of the economy and worsening living conditions for millions of citizens.
The latest exchange reflects the complicated and often confrontational relationship between Havana and Washington, which has remained strained for more than six decades despite intermittent attempts at diplomatic rapprochement.
While Cuba insists that U.S. sanctions are the central driver of its current crisis, critics of the Cuban government continue to point to structural inefficiencies, state control of the economy, and policy failures as major contributors to the country’s prolonged economic difficulties.
Nevertheless, the apparent willingness of both sides to discuss humanitarian assistance suggests a potentially significant, though cautious, opening for limited engagement amid escalating hardship on the island.
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner in Taraba State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with Defence Intelligence Agency operatives and local vigilantes, have arrested a suspected gunrunner in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Security sources said the arrest was made at about 7:45 a.m. on May 13 during an intelligence-led operation at Iware community in the area.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended following credible intelligence linking him to arms trafficking activities within the Amaseyo general area.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect was allegedly involved in illegal arms dealing, prompting his immediate arrest by the joint security team.
The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation, while security agencies say efforts are ongoing to dismantle arms trafficking networks operating within the state and surrounding areas.
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner in Taraba State
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim During Patrol in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation MESA have rescued a kidnap victim abandoned by suspected terrorists along the Obajana–Jakura–Tajimi axis in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources said the rescue operation was carried out at about 9:00 a.m. on May 13 by troops of 12 Brigade during a fighting patrol along the old Obajana–Jakura–Tajimi road.
According to the report, the troops discovered the victim after suspected kidnappers abandoned him while fleeing from the advancing security personnel.
The rescued victim was subsequently reunited with his family after the operation.
Security patrols and clearance operations have continued along the route and adjoining communities as part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
Cuba Blames U.S. Sanctions for Deepening Energy Crisis, Responds Cautiously to Reported $100m Aid Offer
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists During Clearance Operations in Borno
Governor Buni moves to appeal to guber aspirants to step down for Wali in Yobe
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
