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Youth Development: Centre Advocates Constant Dialogue on Gender-inclusion
Youth Development: Centre Advocates Constant Dialogue on Gender-inclusion
By: Michael Mike
The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has called for constant stakeholder dialogue on gender inclusion to advance youth development in the country.
The Chairman of PIC, Mr Udene Ufot, made this call at a two-day Gender and Inclusion Summit in Abuja.
The event with the theme: “Building Bridges: Advancing Gender and Inclusion Through the Intersection of Trade and Health.”
Ufot said the summit was conceptualised as a platform for dialogue where critical stakeholders from diverse sectors would reflect on new evidence and contextually relevant solutions to disparities in inclusivity, in Nigeria.”
He noted that: “This year, we are dedicating considerable time to discuss issues relating to Nigerian youth for many reasons,” adding that: “Nigeria has one of the largest populations of youth in the world, about seventy per cent of the population is under 35 years old.”
He said: “The median age of youth in Nigeria is 18.1 years and 42 per cent are under the age of 15. The size and youthfulness of the Nigerian population offer great potential for innovation, technological advancement and economic development.
“For this potential to be harnessed, strategic investments in health, education, infrastructural development and job creation are critical while leveraging technology to deliver sustainable development at scale.
“We have a collective responsibility to develop inclusive approaches to address barriers to quality education, job and internship opportunities and access to health services for Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population.”
Also speaking at the event, Annett Gunter, German Ambassador to Nigeria, advised on the need for proper commitments to ensure sustainable growth.
She said: “Our commitment extends beyond discussions, it is a call to action for comprehensive gender-sensitive healthcare that recognised and addresses the unique needs of every individual.
“Similarly, the creative and media industries are powerful channels of narrative and both have immense potential to seal conversations towards inclusivity.”
On her part, Dr Charity Chenge, Senior Programme Officer, Global Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the need to prioritise moves for women to guarantee women healthy and reproductive lives.
She said: “We need to really focus on expanding opportunities for women to live healthy and reproductive lives.
“The Foundation works in partnerships and to improve health and productivity. We want to increase women’s economic opportunities by removing barriers, enabling decent work and supporting women’s enterprises to help them thrive in the economy.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Convener, of the International Woman Leadership Conference, expressed appreciation to the Centre for the event, saying it promoted dialogue on gender inclusion and youth development as critical national conversation.
Awosika said: “This is not just a matter of women, it is a national economic issue. 50 per cent of our population is incapacitated.
“For not being educated properly and in the absence of adequate empowerment as well as lacking opportunities we put ourselves at a disadvantage.”
The high points of the event were the exhibition tour, research presentation, plenary and presentation of prizes.
Youth Development: Centre Advocates Constant Dialogue on Gender-inclusion
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
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