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Naija Entrepreneurship Academy Launched to Address Youth Unemployment
Naija Entrepreneurship Academy Launched to Address Youth Unemployment
By: Michael Mike
An entrepreneurship initiative – Naija Entrepreneurship Academy (NEA) has been launched as part of efforts to curb youth unemployment across the country.
The launch which is an initiative of a social development consultant, Fatima Sadiq Mohammed, followed the endorsement of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The project is an online portal that hosts free learning courses for prospective business owners as well as those already managing small businesses.
According to the lead champion of the initiative across West Africa, Poncelet Ileleji,
the training content, which covers subjects relevant to starting and growth of small and medium scale enterprises, was packaged by world class and experienced business owners.
Ileleji noted that with almost 48 per cent of Nigeria’s national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 85 per cent of all employment created by SMMEs, the need to support more people to start local businesses and reduce the risk of business failure was imperative considering that SMMEs are the backbone of society.
He said small businesses are essential to innovation and jobs, support for budding entrepreneurs must be tangible and cognizant of their reality. As such, the courses on the learning portal are designed for mobile devices, making them ideal for individuals with few resources at their disposal across all 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.
He assured that: “The academy is a further example of the power of partnership as The Start-Up Tribe, a global initiative that is already active in 451 cities and communities across 27 countries of the world, providing necessary assistance to people to start and grow their businesses, will administer the platform in partnership with Crystal Hands Empowerment Initiative (CHEI) and with a strong support and collaboration from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).”
Ileleji added that Start-Up Tribe initiative has gained international recognition for addressing unemployment and promoting economic growth by providing valuable resources and educational opportunities to entrepreneurs.
The Naija Entrepreneurship Academy (NEA), which kicks off on Monday is accessible through Start-Up Tribe Academy website ( https://www.thestartuptribe.org/pages/nea ) with links for each state academy on the Nigerian map, offering a user-friendly platform for easy access to educational resources. Through periodic data analysis and support from the Start-Up Tribe team, the learning progress would be monitored and impacts measured for each State.
“Importantly, the implementation of NEA incurs no financial cost to anyone accessing the learning platform as it is fully funded by the Start-Up Tribe. With a customized syllabus and comprehensive back-end support, the Academy represents a valuable resource for local entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses.
“The academies are customized for each state and offered to each governor as a powerful tool to assist their communities grow local economies and tackle unemployment, support micro and small businesses and improve the quality of life on the millions of Nigeria.
“The NEA initiative aimed at providing additional tool which will enable access to lots of free education in different sectors of Nigerian economy, including education, agriculture, livelihood as well as digital economy.”
“Our mission to help Nigerians realize their business dreams, elevate people from their current socio-economic status and create more job opportunities”, Ileleji said.
Naija Entrepreneurship Academy Launched to Address Youth Unemployment
Russia Strengthens Strategic Ties with Sahel States Amid Geopolitical Shifts
By: Zagazola Makama
Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted his counterparts from the three Sahel states in Moscow. The high-level meeting signals deepening cooperation in security, economic development, and diplomatic coordination, amid shifting global alliances and the growing influence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The discussions, held in a quadrilateral format for the first time, focused on enhancing military collaboration, investment opportunities, and regional security strategies. Lavrov welcomed the delegation, emphasizing Russia’s support for the sovereignty of the three nations as they seek to assert independence in their policymaking and security frameworks.
“We appreciate the determination of your countries to build a new regional security architecture based on your own strengths while remaining open to mutually beneficial cooperation,” Lavrov said. He commended the “dynamic integration” efforts within the AES and highlighted ongoing projects in trade, finance, infrastructure, and human resource development.
The visit comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and the Sahel states’ increasing shift away from Western partnerships. Following military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the three countries have strengthened ties with Russia, particularly in military cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. They have also distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), forming the AES as a regional bloc focused on collective security and economic cooperation.
Lavrov noted that Russia is ready to support the AES beyond bilateral engagements, stating that collaboration would extend to international platforms, including the Russia-Africa Forum. The next ministerial meeting of the forum is expected to take place in Africa later this year, ahead of the 2026 Russia-Africa Summit.
In his remarks, Mali’s Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Diop, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Russia, underscoring the importance of strategic alliances in addressing security and development challenges.
The meeting marks a new phase in Russia’s engagement with Africa, particularly in regions seeking alternative partnerships. As the global political landscape evolves, the AES-Russia partnership is expected to influence security dynamics and economic cooperation in the Sahel and beyond.
Russia Strengthens Strategic Ties with Sahel States Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Man Killed in Accidental Shooting During Joint Security Operation in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic incident occurred on April 3, 2025, during a joint security operation in Girei Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State.
The operation, which involved personnel from the Police, Military, Department of State Security Services (DSS), and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), aimed to raid criminal hideouts in the area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that during the operation, one of the security personnel accidentally discharged their firearm, striking 21-year-old Bara Adamu of Wuro Bulama, Girei LGA.
The victim was immediately rushed to Specialist Hospital for medical attention but was sadly confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Man Killed in Accidental Shooting During Joint Security Operation in Adamawa
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
On April 3, 2025, at approximately 1130 hours, a group of armed bandits riding motorcycles, opened fire on a commercial vehicle traveling from Kebbi to Sokoto.
The attack resulted in the death of one Dan Gande Usman, who was shot in the head. The victim succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
In response to the attack, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA were deployed to the area to ensure sanity.
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
Russia Strengthens Strategic Ties with Sahel States Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Man Killed in Accidental Shooting During Joint Security Operation in Adamawa
Armed Bandits Kill One in Attack on Commercial Vehicle in Sokoto
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