National News

Panelists Advise Nigerian Political Leader to Bridge the Gap with Youths to Curb Growing Violence Extremism

Published

5 months ago

September 21, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Panelists Advise Nigerian Political Leader to Bridge the Gap with Youths to Curb Growing Violence Extremism

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian political leaders have been advised to close the existing gap between them and the country’s teeming youth population so as to curb growing violence extremism.

This was the submission of a team of panelists who spoke at the occasion heralding the 2024 International Day of Peace, with the theme: “Cultivating a culture of Peace” organised by the United States embassy in Abuja.

The lead Speaker, Rev. John Hayab, Global Peace Foundation in Nigeria who presented a paper on “Cultivating a Culture of Peace: The role of youth in promoting leadership and peace in Nigeria,” highlighted points why it is imperative for a peaceful atmosphere for development.

The panelists who spoke after the paper presentation all agreed with Rev. Hayab that the government need to engage the youth more, stressing the need for the youth to feel the impact of the government in their development so as to be committed to the country and deploy their strength positively.

The panelits are: Director of Baynakum family Counselling Centre, Abuja; Ustaz Abdulfattah Adeyemi; the Founder Transforming Church International Abuja, Dr. Rev. Sam Oye; and Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Mr Rafiu Adeniran Lawal,

Dr. Adeyemi stressed the place of youth in peace building, warning against gagging the youth, saying looking at the calm surface is not the real peace.

He added that: “And yet, if we keep looking at them like that, there may come a time when they won’t be able to hold on any further.

“Let us not spoil the peace these young people are ready to embrace,” he warned, while charging the government to engage the youth.

He said: “So my appeal is for us not to let things just slide by. To listen to these young people.Get them engaged. Get them busy. Give them employment.

“Motivate them. Even if it is farming they want to go into, let them do their farming and enjoy their life. These are young people who know how to enjoy life.

“With small data on their phone, they can remove their anxieties. Just key into whatever is going on in the world, and they are okay.

” So I wish we can take note of this and begin to encourage our young people to begin to appreciate our culture.

“And to begin to understand that the culture of peace is not something that is negative. It has to be positive.

Oye on his part called for inclusivity and the need to get the youth on board.

He said that it is not about given positions alone but having them have a say in policies and programs of the government.

He added that the government can from time to time gather the youth and get their day on issues and by so doing they get to understand what the youth want.

He said this will go a long way to douse tension and reduce violence in the know how much they can contribute? It is when you begin to first of all recognize, because of inclusive leadership.

He said: “It begins first with recognition. And recognition has to do with diversity.The diverse competencies that our young people have is something that is very staggered.
“As leaders, not just including those who are affiliated to your party. But looking outside of your party, to look into these young people. Who are over 60%,

“They have so much to offer this country. And when Nigerian kids are not looking for anybody to feed them. Just give them opportunity to express themself. And you’ll be amazed at what our young people can do. It takes a secure leader to be an inclusive leader.

“I’m going to say that very strongly. It takes a secure leader to be an inclusive leader. And one of the challenges we have is the fact that we are not secure in ourselves.

“So it’s very difficult for us to include people who are diverse to us.

“I would challenge our leaders to be safe and know that the children you give birth to have something to do to make a huge difference in the country that you give birth to them in. These kids can make a world of difference.

“Mark Zuckerberg has made a difference today and I think there are other Mark Zuckerbergs in our country who have given the opportunity to express themselves.”

He further added, “So I think the best way to prevent violence is to let the young people know that it’s supposed to be violence against hunger and poverty, not against their own state, without which they cannot achieve anything.

“So we will not destroy our nation. We should rather use that aggression to build a great nation. I hope I’ve said something.”

Oye also added that: “And I don’t see a young man who wants to fight a country that is part of his development. The reason it is easier for our young people to destroy anything in the country is because the country is detached from their development.
“An average Nigerian kid today does not know government. He sees government as someone to fight because in all of our children’s developmental stages, government is absent. Why shouldn’t I fight something that got my father out of work? Why shouldn’t I fight something that did not allow my mother to get along? That’s the only government I know, my mother, who took care of me, who is in care of me, my father.

“So we’re saying that if government wants to reduce all of this tension, all those little little things, such programs that equip our young people and empower them are very critical to the development of this country and to the minimization of violence.”

Lawal in his intervention pointed out that all the youth needed to function as agent of peace is little support, noting that the youth need to engage more so as to move with trend.

He said: “All they need is support to function effectively as agents of peace.

“The society that we live in. Is one that is not open to Change and then if we are going to make any meaningful transformation then we have to present ourselves as advocates rather than as activists.”

He added, “In any way,this space as we speak is traditionally closed. It will not be open automatically. So you have to force your way in. So that we can continue.”

Lawal added that young people still prefer to be peaceful despite the country’s shortcoming to make provision for them; adding that those who decided to be violents are circumstantial perpetrators and do not represent the majority of young Nigerians who are contributing amazingly to the development of the country.

Panelists Advise Nigerian Political Leader to Bridge the Gap with Youths to Curb Growing Violence Extremism

National News

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

Published

3 days ago

February 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is consolidating movement of citizens of West Africa by inaugurating the second phase of the European Union (EU) funded project “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM II)” to advance economic growth.

Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja reiterated the commitment of economic blog to ensure free movement and encourage commerce and economic development in the sub region at the inauguration of the FMM II in Abuja on Thursday.

The event was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the ECOWAS Commission.

The vice-president explained that the FMM is designed to promote the free protocol and movement of persons, goods and services, as vision of ECOWAS for regional integration.

According to her, the initiative would demonstrate renewed commitment to ensure migration governance and regional mobility serve as pillars of development within the sub-region.

Tchintchibidja added that: “During the first phase of the project, we made significant progress in enhancing migration governance, strengthening boarder management and operational license to drive the free protocols.

“We reinforced migration governance, harmonised policies, strengthened border management systems, facilitation of labour mobility and supporting member states in aligning national policies with ECOWAS migration instruments.

“These achievements played key roles in enhancing regional security and economic mobility within our region, however, our work is far from over, benefits of migration must be fully harnessed.

“This requires structured, coordinated approach both at national and regional levels; we are optimistic FMM II will serve as vehicle towards addressing new-migration challenges, while capitalising on emerging opportunities.

“The FMM II will enhance mobility across borders in safe and orderly manner, through specific efforts to ascertain migration governance framework, enhance coordination mechanism, data driven policy making and integrated approaches.”

She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure that migration contribute positively to economic growth, stability and social-coercion in the ECOWAS region.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union (EU), Mr Massimo De Luka, said the five-year project aims to maximise development potential of free movement of persons and migration in West Africa.

He noted that the project would be achieved through support of the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons Protocol and the ECOWAS Common Approach to Migration.

He said: “The basis for cooperation and coordination on improving free movement of persons and migration in West Africa has been established.

“The second phase will deepen the cooperation in enhancing migration governance and at the same time commit to regional integration.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Massandjé Toure-Litse commended the milestones achieved during the first phase to be in line with ECOWAS mission.

Toure-Litse was represented by Mr Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director, Free Movement of Persons of ECOWAS Commission/Project Coordinator, West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI).

Toure-Litse said, “This milestone reaffirms our collective commitment to regional integration, migration governance and sustainable development, which are core principles that underscores the ECOWAS mission.”

ECOWAS Moves to Solidify Movement Across West African Countries, Inaugurates EU-funded Programme on Migration

National News

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

Published

5 days ago

February 18, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

** We’ll be more deliberate in supporting small business owners to grow – VP Shettima

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said that the federal government, working in collaboration with other stakeholders, will be more deliberate in ensuring growth in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space in Nigeria.

To this end, the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has set up a committee to interface with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enhance the financing of small businesses in the country.

This was part of decisions taken on Tuesday at the first meeting of the National Council on MSMEs for 2025 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking after deliberations by members, Vice President Shettima said the federal government, through its agencies and partners, has the moral burden of supporting growth in the MSME space and facilitating job creation across different sectors for Nigerians.

Reeling out the mandate of the committee, the Vice President said the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in supporting small businesses, evident in important policies and programmes, need to be complemented by stakeholders, especially the private sector.

The committee headed by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh, has Ministers of Science and Technology; Women Affairs; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs as members.

Others include the CEOs of Bank of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Agriculture (BOI), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the representative of NACCIMA and the organized private sector.

In the same vein, Council also approved a loan scheme for MSMEs known as the syndicated de-risked loans for small businesses.

The scheme will be a partnership between state governments and financial institutions aimed at enhancing access to finance for MSMEs at single-digit rates across the country.

Vice President Shettima advised state governments to set up vehicles that are devoid of political interests to drive the implementation of the syndicated de-risked loans for the MSMEs scheme.

“Some of these initiatives are laudable and will need to outlive the present administrations in the States. Regardless of political affiliations, Nigerians must be seen to be the ultimate beneficiaries of these schemes that we are trying to put in place,” the VP stated.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, presented the ‘syndicated de-risked loans’ scheme for small businesses, seeking the cooperation of members and describing it as a game-changing programme to provide affordable and available loans for businesses.

He said the initiative is in acknowledgement of the President’s passion and commitment to the development of small businesses and aimed at providing more jobs for Nigerians.

In his presentation on the state of MSMEs in Nigeria, the DG SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, said the agency was proposing an initiative which was born from a 3-day MSME conference held in 2024.

He said the initiative known as the GROW Nigeria strategy is to provide guidance, resources, opportunities, and the workforce to support the about 40 million small businesses across 8 distinct sectors.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai; the representatives of the Governors of Benue and Katsina States; the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh; Ministers of Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji; Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi; representative of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Others are the CEOs of Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NAFDAC, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); the Presidents of NACCIMA and National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME).

FG Moves To Fast Track MSMEs Growth, Sets Up C’ttee To Enhance Financing

National News

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation

Published

6 days ago

February 17, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation

By: Michael Mike

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen.George Akume has said President Bola Tinubu means well for the nation, pledging to continue to work hard to support the Nigerian leader to achieve his many laudable programmes and vision for the country.

Akume made the promise at the weekend when he was decorated as “Star Associate of President Tinubu,” and Grand Patron of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA),

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made the declaration while he was decorated as “Star Associate of President Tinubu” by the National Co-ordinator/President of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA), Hon. Henry Nwabueze, who led a delegation of leaders of the Movement to the SGF ‘s office at the weekend in Abuja.

Akume pledged to continue to support the policies of President Bola Tinubu in his quest to make Nigeria safe and economically viable again.

He also pledged to continue to work hard to support the Nigerian leader to achieve his many laudable programmes and vision for the country.

Nwabueze, on his part said Sen. Akume has given so much in service to Nigeria and in support for the Tinubu Administration that he became the best choice for the position of the Movement’s Grand Patron and the first to receive the award of “Star Associate of President Tinubu,” an award intended for those in diverse fields of endeavour whose very efforts are promoting the vision of Mr. President for a better Nigeria.

According to Nwabueze, a former President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and distinguished Delegate at the 2014 Justice Kutigi Nigerian National Conference initiated by the Jonathan Administration, Sen. Akume represents the Tinubu Administration’s efforts aimed at injecting competence, maturity as well as discipline and hard work in public governance, and thanked the SGF for accepting the two honours, revealing that in the weeks ahead Nigerians would see the advocacy campaigns of the Movement in support of President Tinubu’s efforts at repositioning the country.

He reiterated the advice to Nigerian politicians that anyone who is wishing to contest for the Office of President in 2027 should have a rethink, stressing that there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa in that year.

Nwabueze added that: “The occasion today is a very short one and, therefore, does not require long speeches.

“Let me start by conveying the appreciation of the entire membership of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates (NTCA), both at home and in the Diaspora, all who have unanimously agreed that the man that has been chosen as our Grand Patron more than fits the bill.

“For several years, even before some of us were born,His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) George Akume,CFR,has continued to serve this nation in diverse capacities.

“Whether as Permanent Secretary or Governor in his native State of Benue, Sen.(Dr.) Akume has for over fifty odd years held the flag of service and servant-leadership that has produced men and women of consummate repute and honour.

“Whether as Senator, Minister or even Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Sen.(Dr.) Akume’s place in the annals of history of our great nation remains one of honour well-deserved and laurels perpetually treasured.

“So, as we stand here today to decorate him as our Grand Patron and Star Associate of President Tinubu,the first in our list for such Honours,we are merely giving expression to what those who came before us saw to enlist him in the Benue Plateau Civil Service of his day,to make him Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Civil Service many years later,to make him Governor,to make him Senator, Minister and, today, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“On behalf of the National Executive Council and, indeed,the General Congress of the Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates at home and abroad, I, Uche Henry Nwabueze, with the powers tacitly conferred on me by the Constitution of our Organisation, and in the name of the Most High God… Decorate you as Grand Patron of NTCA and as a Star Associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Your Excellency, the SGF is by this decoration welcomed to function in this capacity with all the rights and privileges attached thereto.

“Accept our humble congratulations,Your Excellency, our Grand Patron,”

The Nationwide Tinubu Connect Associates( aka: No Vacancy in Aso Rock 2027) is a registered group of like-minded Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora,who are committed to the promotion of the laudable efforts and programmes of the Tinubu Administration to repositioning Nigeria for greatness

The Movement has membership in all the States of the Federation and the 774 Local Government Councils.

Akume Insists Tinubu Means Well for the Nation