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United Nations is proud to be your ally – UN Resident Coordinator Fall assures youths

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United Nations is proud to be your ally – UN Resident Coordinator Fall assures youths

By: Michael Mike

At the sixth edition of the Lagos Secondary Schools Model United Nations (LASSMUN) conference in Lagos, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, assured young people that the UN was proud to be their ally.

He said: “The United Nations is proud to be your ally. And we count on you to be a force for positive change, now and in the future.”

He added in a video message to the LASSMUN 2025 General Assembly, convened by the six Lagos Education Districts; the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria; and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on 8 April 2025, that: “Young people are not just the future; you are the present. Your voices matter. Your ideas can shape policies, transform communities, and drive progress.”

Referring to the LASSMUN 2025 theme, “UN@80 – Dismantling barriers and charting a pathway to meaningful youth engagement for SDGs achievement” as timely in view of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the Resident Coordinator noted that the Pact for the Future was clear about the need for young people to be at the table, not as guests, but as decision-makers.

“Your journey starts now. Learn. Debate. Connect. And when you leave this conference, carry this fire forward.” He charged the LASSMUN delegates who were students of Lagos publicsecondary schools.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Khadijat Dokunmu-Adegbite, who was also the Special Guest of Honour, urged the delegates to channel their energies in the right direction to make a difference in the society.

“Be bold, but not aggressive; be confident but not unruly. Don’t get tired. Don’t give up. Don’t flow with the tide, I charge you to stand out.” She further said that life would not give them what they deserved, but what they decided to achieve in their hearts.
Addressing the delegates and dignitaries, the President of theSixth Session of the LASSMUN General Assembly, Grace Ogungbamigbe, identified some of the barriers facing young people as economic disparity and limited opportunities, persistent digital divide, social and cultural inequities, and limited access to education and skills development.

“As we approach the UN’s 80th anniversary, we must commit to dismantling these barriers and charting new pathways for meaningful youth engagement.” She said, “This requires a paradigm shift in our approach, moving beyond tokenistic gestures to genuine partnerships that empower young people to lead and innovate.

The President, therefore, called on member states, international organisations, civil society and the private sector to prioritise investments in youth education and skills development to equip them for the 21st century workforce.

The Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of Lagos Education District III, Dr (Mrs) Idowu Oyetola, commended the United Nations for designing Model UN to broaden the horizon of participating students and to create more awareness of real life issues affecting the world today.

The Secretary General, LASSMUN Sixth General Assembly, Peter Alademehin, emphasised that the journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was a collective task with youth at the forefront.

In the resolution presented at the end of the session by the rapporteur, Al-Amee Sowemimo, the LASSMUN General Assembly Called for inclusion of youth in decision-making and reminded the Member States that while education is a human right, millions of children of primary school age are still out of school around the world.
They further called on member states to give due consideration to advancing family-oriented policy development to fully benefit future generations. 

“We, therefore, urge member states to play a central role in ensuring meaningful youth participation and leadership that makes young people and young people-led organizations have opportunities, capacities, and benefit from an enabling environment and relevant evidence-based programmes and policies at all levels.” The resolution stated.

United Nations is proud to be your ally – UN Resident Coordinator Fall assures youths

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Insecurity: Zulum hosts northern Emirs in Maiduguri

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Insecurity: Zulum hosts northern Emirs in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, hosted Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its 7th Executive Committee Meeting on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The meeting aims to tackle the rising insecurity plaguing Northern Nigeria.

The meeting with the theme, “Enhanced Security As A Panacea For Stability and Development of the North” was declared open by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

In his remarks earlier, Governor Zulum highlighted security and peacebuilding, agriculture and youth empowerment as the critical pillars of sustainable development in the northern region.

The Governor also called on all stakeholders to focus on providing opportunities for the youth in northern Nigeria. He said, “our youth population is large, energetic and eager to contribute, but many are without opportunities. This vacuum is dangerous. We must invest heavily in skills acquisition, vocational education, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship. Empowered youths are not only less vulnerable to crime or radicalisation, they become active agents of development.”

Governor Zulum also stressed that agriculture had remained the economic lifeline for the north, hence a deliberate effort is needed to enhance farming activities across the region.

“With vast arable land and a population well-versed in farming, agriculture is our greatest opportunity. However, insecurity has displaced farmers and halted rural productivity. We must secure our farmlands and support modern agricultural practices to restore livelihoods and reduce dependency. In Borno, we are expanding access to inputs, mechanised farming and irrigation despite the challenges, and the results are promising,” Zulum said.

He added, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, I assure you of our commitment to peace, justice and shared progress. Together, with faith and determination, we will rebuild the north physically, socially and economically.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, explained that the meeting in Borno was to strengthen unity among states in the north and to deliberate on the situation in the region to support the political leadership in addressing series of problems across the north.

The National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police were all represented.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Gombe, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his Deputy, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, among many other Emirs across the 19 states of the northern region.

Insecurity: Zulum hosts northern Emirs in Maiduguri

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Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque

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Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Lanre-Onilu has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) in recognition of the group’s unwavering dedication to national unity, patriotism, and its exemplary conduct as a corporate citizen that transcends religious divides to promote inclusivity.

Receiving a delegation of the NCYP who pay a courtesy visit to the NOA headquarters, the DG lauded the group’s patriotic stance and contributions to nation-building.

He particularly praised their courage and foresight in supporting the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, a decision taken in the face of opposition from many, especially within the Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.

He said: “I have known this group for quite some time. Notably, you took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket when many others opposed it. Today, the wisdom behind that decision is becoming evident through the visionary leadership being demonstrated—fair representation in appointments, reform-driven governance, and a commitment to inclusive development.

“This alone makes you worthy of the National Values Charter recognition, which embodies the principles of citizenship and patriotism.”

Earlier, the Chairman of NCYP, Mr. Isaac Abrak who led the group, emphasized that the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT -Abuja, who actively participate in politics to improve the welfare of citizens across the region and Nigeria at large.

He noted that the group’s political choices are guided by merit, equity, and the vision of building a tolerant and united society, particularly in enhancing relations between Christians and Muslims in political spaces.

Abrak identified the transformational impact of President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly referencing his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. “His strategic use of local government structures and the reformation of street youth, popularly known as ‘Area Boys,’ into productive contributors to society helped raise Lagos’ Internally Generated Revenue from N6 billion to N11 billion monthly. These bold reforms underpin our support for the full implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government Financial Autonomy.”

He stressed that the local government financial autonomy is a pro-people policy that must be anchored by the people through grassroots engagement. Mr. Abrak offered NCYP’s extensive leadership network—spanning national, state, local government, and ward levels with a workforce of over 30,000—for partnership with the 774 NOA offices nationwide to drive advocacy and implementation of this critical policy.

“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots,” Abrak said. “We are ready to collaborate with NOA to raise public awareness and ensure that local government autonomy delivers development to the doorstep of every Nigerian.”

In his concluding remarks, the NOA DG urged all Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration, citing landmark projects such as the 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the establishment of Regional Development Commissions as initiatives that will spur economic growth and provide intervention across all regions.

Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque

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Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered

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Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has made significant progress in its efforts to dismantle a notorious armed robbery and car snatching syndicate, following the arrest of several suspects on April 11, 2025.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation led to the recovery of a stolen Mercedes Benz C180 (color green), along with a Beretta pistol and a cutlass, which were seized from the suspects.

While some of the suspects have been apprehended, efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and capture the remaining members of the criminal group, who have fled the scene.

Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered

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