The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nation-building

  • Unions ask leaders to double efforts on nation building

    LABOUR leaders and workers yesterday urged the Federal Government to put in more efforts to meet their expectations as the country marked 19 years of democracy.

    They spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos in reaction to the speech presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to mark three years of his administration.

    Buhari’s democracy speech gave a synopsis of his administration’s achievements in the last three years in over 30 points on issues of economy, security and corruption.

    President, Civil Service Union Mr. Muhammed Kiri told NAN that the administration had put in good efforts in tackling corruption, but it needed to do more to curb the daily killings in some parts of the country.

    Kiri said workers were impoverished because of many factors, including poor minimum wage, which expressed the hope that it would soon be effectively tackled by the Minimum Wage Committee.

    “As a member of the minimum wage committee, we will soon start the technical session to debate on pertinent issues that will help us reach a conclusion on the wage increase,” he said.

    General Secretary, United Labour Congress (ULC), Mr. Didi Adodo, said Nigerians, particularly workers, expected more in the last three years because of the economic challenges.

    Adodo added that some state governments still owed thousands of workers’ salaries and allowances, which had further impoverished them.

    “We expect more from the leaders that will reflect the desired change.

    “Workers are still expecting a new minimum wage, insecurity has not abated and cost of goods are still high,” he said.

    For Mr. Simon Anchaver, the President, Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), there is need for stiffer measures that would reduce the killings in Benue and other states.

    According to Anchaver, insecurity has affected agriculture produce, in spite of government’s efforts to pursue food security programme.

    “Today many cannot sleep with two eyes closed in Benue.

    “Government has done some programmes but the high rate of insecurity has made us not to feel the impact,” he said.

    The union president urged the Federal Government to fulfill all its promises to improve the lives of the people.

    Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI) Director-General Mr. Muda Yusuf said though expectations of Nigerians were yet to be met, the government had done well in some areas.

    Yusuf lauded the Buhari-led administration on its improvement on foreign reserve, which has grown from $23 billion to $47 billion.

    He said though inflation rate had declined but it was yet to reflect on goods and services.

    He, therefore, appealed to the government to reduce interest on loans to boost businesses.

     

     

  • Moghalu, Durotoye, others seek citizens’ participation in nation-building

    Two presidential aspirants Kinsley Moghalu and Fela Durotoye yesterday urged Nigerians to participate fully in nation-buillding to get the economy out of the woods and guarantee a brighter futire.

    Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Durotoye, a motivational speaker, spoke at the 11th edition of “The Platform “in Lagos.

    The Platform is a development-driven prigramme organised by the Covenant Christian Centre. The theme of this year’’s programme is “Get Involved.”

    Vice Presiodent Yemi Osinbajo also attended and spoke on how individuals’ performances in their various areas of endeavour collectively make an economy great with the government providing the enabling environment.

    Moghalu said the current problems facing the country would find quick answers if citizens contributed their quota to the nation’s development.

    He said Nigerians were justified to complain about a number of issues based on disappointments by leaders resulting in dashed hopes.

    Moghalu said “complaining and managing” would not solve any problem until Nigerians got involved in the process to choose the leaders they desired.

    The former CBN chief added that the real power lay with the people and urged Nigerians to use the power to bring about change.

    “There is no power greater than the power of the people. The power to change belongs to the people.We can get the kind of nation we desire if we use our power,” he said.

    Moghalu, however, said it would be difficult for people to get the leadership they deserved if they did not partake in the electoral process.

    He urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards so that they could vote leaders of their choice.

    Moghalu said Nigeria belonged to everyone, pointing out the passiveness of citizens had unfortunately allowed some few people to claim ownership of the country.

    Durotoye, noted that the country had suffered rot in all sectors consistently for about 50 years.

    He blamed the problems on poor leadership and followership as well as erosion of the country’s values.

    He however said the situation could be changed for the better if Nigerians made the decision to make the change happen.

    Durotoye said rather than continue to blame the past generations for the parlous state of affairs, the current generation of Nigerians could brave the odds and bring solutions.

    “Very soon, the old generations would be no more and the problems might still be here.

    “So this generation of Nigerians should strive to be a great generation.

    “A great generation is a generation that solves problems not the one that transfers burden to the next generation.

    “A great generation is a generation that acts and the one that passes problem solving techniques to the next one,” he said.

    Durotoye, who is nursing a presidential ambition, said the change that everyone desired was possible if everyone got involved in achieving it.

    He therefore urged Nigerians to participate in the electoral process by voting and engaging people in government.

    A lawyer, Dr Charles Omole, said it was wrong for anyone to believe that Nigerian politicians behaved differently from those in other parts of the world.

    He said politicians were the same all over and their preoccupation was always to control power and resources.

    Omole however said the reason why things worked better in other climes was because of strong institutions, respect for rule of law and more effective competition in the democratic space.

    He said the country would be better if all these were entrenched in the polity and people participated in the electoral process.

    “Participation in the process is not about obtaining PVCs alone, it is also about contesting in elections with the objective to make a change,” he said.

  • ‘Have fun working on Nation Building’- APC Diaspora Chief

    ‘Have fun working on Nation Building’- APC Diaspora Chief

    The Chairman All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Scandinavia, Hon. Ayoola Lawal has called on members of the party in the diaspora to ensure that they have fun while charting ways forward for Nation building.

    Mr Lawal in a press statement shared with newsmen noted that having an understanding that the human resource of any nation is unarguably its most important resource, and that the fundamentals of nation-building start with the ability of any nation to balance the harnessing of its identified resources are key factors in nation-building.

    According to him, it is a no-brainer except for people with less or no empathy for Nigerians to understand that within the tough economic and social environment that Nigerians are struggling to navigate, it is hard to find a reason to smile.

    This is one of the key reasons, the young, amiable Chairman, APC Scandinavia, Hon Lawal R. Ayoola ( LRA), as a patron of the fast-growing jokers club, along with its president, Ibidayo Akeredolu-Ale, and vice, Farouck Olokodana deemed it fit to take the fast-growing members to a private beach in Lagos, “Atican beach”, for a day of fun, leisure, and interaction but also for engagement and discussion for charting a way forward in the new Nigerian politics.

    “This is a course Hon Ayoola has always advocated.

    “Unequivocally, being able to balance fun with the serious work schedule is the way forward as this creates a freedom of mind for true expression and nothing creates an exchange of ideas better than that.

    “It was a fun and terrific weekend and thoroughly enjoyed by all members in attendance,” the statement read.

  • Ekweremadu, Mark, Ashafa, Kashamu seek rededication to nation-building

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, former Senate President David Mark, Senators ‘Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East),  Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) and Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) have felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

    They stressed the need to rededicate to nation-building,  self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and growth.

    Ekweremadu enjoined Nigerians to eschew all forms of recrimination and imbibe self-sacrifice, forgiveness and other higher virtues that promote national unity and development.

    He said: “I congratulate our Muslim brethren on this occasion of Eid el-Kabir. This season of conviviality presents another opportunity to reflect on our national challenges and the way forward.

    “No nation realises its full potentials without equity, justice, unity, and peaceful co-existence. I enjoin the Muslim Ummah and indeed all of us to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness and love that the season represents in order to move the nation forward.”

    Mark canvassed for justice, righteousness and peaceful coexistence between and among Nigerians.

    The senator, in a goodwill message, said only a harmonious and peaceful coexistence could guarantee meaningful growth.

    Concerned about recent outburst from different regions agitating for self-independence within the existing geopolitical entity, Mark cautioned against any action or utterances capable of threatening the indivisibility of Nigeria.

    Ashafa urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for unity.

    He said in his message that Nigerians have more to gain in a united and indivisible country than a nation where people live in suspicion and hatred for one another.

    He said: “We should endeavour to pray for continued unity and togetherness. Nigeria can only attain the desired greatness in an atmosphere of peace and love.

    “Everything must be done to guard against the disintegration of the country. We must refuse to dance to drum beats of those promoting enmity amongst us. There is a lot to gain in living together.”

    Alasoadura congratulated the faithful on the religious festival.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) urged Muslims to support Akeredolu’s administration to facilitate meaningful growth.

    He said with the calibre of the new cabinet members appointed by the governor, the people should be rest assured of positive transformation in the state.

    Kashamu enjoined Nigerians to embrace peace and love.

    The lawmaker urged them to seize the opportunity of the feast to demonstrate the essence of unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

    “Lack of unity among various ethnic groups in the country and self-centredness are the major ingredients that compromise peaceful co-existence and national growth.”

  • Be agents of nation-building, not violence, youths told

    The founder of Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, Dr Ama Onyerinma, yesterday urged the youth not to yield themselves as tools for violence, but to be agents of nation-building.

    Onyerinma made the plea in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “The increasing participation of youths in violent activities in Nigeria in recent times is a source of worry to both policy-makers and researchers alike.

    “Most violent activities, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape, street fighting, electoral violence, violence during crises moments in Nigeria, are being perpetrated by youths.

    “Yet, the very future of this country depends on the kind of youths the present generation is able to nurture, “she said.

    Onyerinma appealed to the youth not to be brain-washed by anyone in a bid to make them perpetrate evil acts or violence.

    She advised the youth help in advancing the culture of peace.

    “We must invest in their education, security, job preparedness, employment opportunities and civic participation.

    “They are invaluable and pivotal to the peaceful progress of a nation and to the world at large.

    “The youths should play an active role in peace and conflict resolution by forming a new phalanx of peace missionaries and NGO network in the grassroots, concentrating on value education and spiritual renewal among children.

    “The World Programme of Action for Youth, which provides a policy framework and practical guidelines to improve the situation of young people, also encourages promoting the active involvement of youth in maintaining peace and security, “ she said.

    According to her, the government needs to empower the youth by creating an enabling environment for them to realise their full potentials through good governance.

    Onyerinma said that greater emphasis should be placed on developing functional institutions, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance and fighting corruption, among others.

  • Women urged on nation building

    A Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Patrick Osuntoyinbo of Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin, Lagos, has urged women to use their God-given talents to build the country.

    Osuntoyinbo, who spoke at a special prayer for the progress and stability of Nigeria, organised by the Southwest Christian women under the auspices of Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), said women are nation builders.

    He said: “Women influence the lives of men. I enjoin them to utilise their God-given abilities to guide their husbands aright. They have roles to play in the development of this country.

    “Women can go extra mile to ensure their aims and objectives are realised by using their ‘soft skills’ to influence their husbands. They should help to build this country.”

    The one-day prayer, held at the Hoarse Methodist Church Cathedral, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, was attended by WOWICAN members from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.

    They prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, lawmakers and other leaders, saying God should forgive “whatever sins we might have committed that are working against the progress of our country.”

    Highlight of the programme was presentation of awards to past executives and foundation members for their steadfastness, love and support for the group since its inception.

    The recipients are Rev. Edith Iloh, Snr. Mother-in-Israel Funmilayo Ogunbiyi, Rev. Funmi Akitoye-Braimoh, Prof. Winifred Fashola and Deaconess Comfort Olaniran.

    The WOWICAN, Lagos State chapter Chairperson, Mrs. Elizabeth Ibironke Onojobi, congratulated the women for their diligence, consistency and focus.

    She hailed the foundation members for their steadfastness and dedication.

  • We appreciate contributions of armed forces to nation building, says Saraki

    We appreciate contributions of armed forces to nation building, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday commended officers and men of the nation’s armed forces for their contributions to the survival and development of the country.

     Speaking at the National Mosque, Abuja, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Jummah service held to commemorate the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Saraki said the nation and its leaders would  continue to appreciate the military and provide for the welfare of its members.

     “Apart from the fact that the military symbolizes the unity, strength, relevance and sovereignty of Nigeria, the men of the armed forces have helped to keep the country safe and help to ensure that our various diversities are sources of strength rather than division,” he said.

    “Nobody would have imagined where we would have been if our military had  not risen to the occasion every time that we faced threats of  internal and external aggression. These men continue to face the fire to ensure that the people of the North-eastern part of the country are not subjected to the unreasonable dictates of Boko Haram insurgents.

    ” It is for these reasons that on occasions like this when we remember our heroes past, all men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces who laid down their lives during the first and second world wars, the Civil War, the various internal disturbances like the Boko Haram, the entire country should unite to appreciate our military and pray for safety as well as victory for the men still at the battle  fronts.”

    He hailed  Buhari and all members of the military for the progress they have made in routing Boko Haram insurgents out of the North East and restoring peace and stability.

  • Nation building: Ambode, Ajimobi, Aregbesola harp on Role of family

    Nation building: Ambode, Ajimobi, Aregbesola harp on Role of family

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, his counterparts in Oyo and Osun States, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Monday said that if the nation must make meaningful progress, the family, which is the mirror by which any society is measured, must be strengthened.
    The trio, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 16th National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), said as much as the family is the reflection of the society, government at all levels must give priorities to issues as it affects the women, who are the bedrock of the family must also be empowered to flourish in her career and the home front.

    In his goodwill message, Governor Ambode said while the importance of the family unit to the overall development of the nation was not in doubt, much emphasis must be placed in the commitment towards strengthening the family unit and building strong moral values.

    “The importance of the family unit to the overall development of any nation is not in doubt. The family is the foundation and smallest unit of any nation. The heart and conscience of a nation is formed, to a large extent, in the family. However, the issue is the amount of commitment we, in our individual capacities and as a nation, have shown towards strengthening the family unit.

    “With Strong Families, we can build a Strong Nation. But Strong Families will only exist in a society where nobody is left behind, where everybody has a voice and a stake. This is one of the toughest challenges facing governments – “to build an all-inclusive society”, the Governor said.

    He said his administration recognizes the critical need for societal inclusion and thus has initiated policies aimed at guaranteeing equal opportunities and participation for all Lagosians.

    He said that his administration remains totally committed to empowering women as well as protecting the girl-child against all forms of negative vices, while creating viable platforms for families to bond and recreate.

    “Women are the glue that hold families together and we believe strongly that an empowered woman, with a sense of self-esteem, will be better positioned to make a success of her career and at the same time be a pillar of strength for the family,” Governor Ambode said.

    He said the decision of his administration to resuscitate the famous Apapa Amusement Park while speeding up work on Ipakodo Park in Ikorodu, Badagry Recreational Park and Ajako/Alimosho Park was beyond boosting the tourism potential of the State, but to serve as meeting points for families to relax and have fun together.

    In his goodwill message, Governor Ajimobi said the family as the building block of the nation must be given top priority, therefore, according to him, women who holds the chord that binds the family together, must be empowered to thrive both in their career and the home front.

    Corroborating him, Governor Aregbesola said that if the family must be strengthened, the women who are saddled with the responsibility of building the home front must be encouraged and celebrated.

    Declaring the conference open, wife of the President, Hajiya Aishat Buhari, said that COWLSO has emerged as of the many things that have put Lagos in the unique class of excellence.

    “What strikes me the most about the committee is that, it is an intellectual and philanthropic association, established to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government to improve the welfare and well-being of the good people of this state,” she said.

    The President’s wife who was represented by the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, said the importance of strong family values must continue to be emphasized, saying that the absence of it gives rise to the challenges of poverty, crime and declining school performance.

    Earlier in her remarks, Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode said the theme of the Conference, ‘Strong Family, Strong Nation’, was carefully chosen in recognition of the fact that the strength of a nation is linked to the strength of its family units.

    Mrs Ambode, who is also the Chairman of COWLSO, traced most of the social challenges currently confronting the nation, including drug addiction, cultism, teenage pregnancy, kidnapping, child abuse, domestic violence, armed robbery and others have their foundation in dysfunctional family units.

    “When family units are bound together in love and children are raised in the fear of God and high socio-moral values, it begets a good and peaceful society and country, where social vices are reduced to the barest minimum. To build a strong and virile country therefore, we must go back and build strong family units,” Mrs Ambode said.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award to Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye and the investiture of Senator Oluremi Tinubu as the Grand Matron of COWLSO.

  • ‘Writers are pillars in nation-building’

    ‘Writers are pillars in nation-building’

    Today, a new winner will emerge for this year’s Nigeria Literature Prize sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited. The winner will walk home with a princely $100,000. The three contenders for the prize, which is on prose fiction, are Abubakar Adamu Ibrahim’s Season Of Crimson Blossoms, Chika Unigwe’s Night Dancer and Born On A Tuesday by El-Nathan John. As Nigerians await the winner, NLNG General Manager, External Relations, Kudo Eresia-Eke believes writers play significant role in nation-building. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, he speaks on the impact of the prize on literature. 

    Is literature worth investing in?

    Our interest in literature is not so much for the business. There would be those who would reap from it, like all the stakeholders in the book chain. Technology cannot improve if people don’t read. The vision of the Nigeria LNG Limited is global, helping to build a better Nigeria. No nation can be built in darkness, writers bring enlightenment. So, writers are fundamental pillars for nation-building and development, and must be encouraged. And in promoting the prize, you’d never know what the rippling effect may be. But I am sure it would be positive.

    In many cases, organisers of prizes throw parties to announce the winner, but Nigeria LNG Limited always celebrates the books that make the initial list, with lots of funfare. Why?

    Nearly 200 writers, 173 to be precise, sent in entries for this year’s edition of the prize. Now, if out of 173, 11 people emerged out of very qualitative writing, it is no longer a longlist but actually a shortlist. And I think anyone, who has come out of this forest of quality writing as a possible winner among the 11, has cause to celebrate. We, at Nigeria LNG Limited, believe that each of the 11 writers is a winner in their own right, and should be celebrated.

    Since 2005, your company has been sponsoring this literature prize along with the prize for science. How has been the experience, in terms of support and its impact on the quality of writing?

    It has been an exhilarating experience. It has been also very fulfilling, giving a feeling that one is doing something noble and seeing the result. You can tell from the observations on the quality of books. I am not just talking about the content, which has shown a lot of improvement. But just look at the very essence of the book, its cover, its production, and the interest in our writing, you’d see a progressive improvement in our literature over the years. You also see that all the stakeholders are making maximum effort to push the envelope of excellence; and that’s really what counts for us. Before noon today, one person will win the prize, but that’s not the real harvest. The real harvest is the mass impact that is generated in the pursuit of that prize. One that makes publishers brace up, makes editors brace up, makes writers to brace up and makes everyone in the chain to brace up. And at the end, it is the country that is the beneficiary.

    So, through the prize, we are developing higher standards of literature. On this year’s initial shortlist, are the whole spectrums of the generation of Nigerian writers that are alive today were represented. Besides that, this prize enables us to showcase excellence as a culture, because people often say that Nigerians do not care about excellence. That we just want to do shortcuts, no! This prize demonstrates that we are hard-working, painstaking people who take improvement and continuous improvement seriously. And you can see that manifest in the journey of this prize.

    Speaking of journeys, some literary critics believe that Nigerian literature has come of age. Compared to the literature of world, what do you think?

    I think Nigeria is dominant. You cannot mention the literature of the world and not mention Nigeria for God sake.

    That is being patriotic…

    I am not just being patriotic. Look at the continent of Africa for example, where do you have the multitude of writers that we’ve produced? Which country compares … I challenge you. And look the basic prizes known around the world and see how many times Nigerians have won them. In fact, some people say some prizes have been colonised by Nigerians.

    What would we be expecting from this year’s edition?

    You should expect that the best book would emerge the winner. I would like to commend this year’s judges, led by the distinguished Professor of English Language of Prof Dan Izevbaye, Bowen University, for their painstaking efforts so far, and the Advisory Board, led by Emeritus Prof Ayo Banjo, in their efforts to help midwife this year’s edition. I have faith in their decision.

  • ‘Youth development key to nation-building’

    ‘Youth development key to nation-building’

    That youths play critical roles in nation-building cannot be over-emphasised. JEREMIAH OKE, who attended this year’s celebration of the United Nations’ International Youth Day held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, reports that with the involvement of the newly-created Peace Corps in Nigeria, there is hope for a better future.

    The role of youths in the development of any country is eye-catching. This is so considering their teeming number, energy and vibrancy. This, many analysts say, is the reason a day was set aside to celebrate and discuss issues affecting them.

    The United Nations International Youth Day was first celebrated on August 12, 2000 after a resolution by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly was ratified.

    This year’s International Youth Day which has its theme as “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production”, was aimed at highlighting the role expected of the young people in poverty eradication and attaining sustainable development.

    As a member state of the UN, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate this important segment of the society.

    Specifically, in Ibadan the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Oyo State Command, used the event as a platform to harp on the need for youths to contribute to nation-building. All tiers of government have, therefore been urged to make youth development one of the focal points of their policies.

    Peace Corps of Nigeria was founded in 1998 by Ambassador Dickson Akoh, as a non-governmental youth organisation that focuses on building, harnessing and redirecting their energies towards the advancement of the country. Instructively, a bill seeking to make the body a legalised paramilitary organisation has been passed by the House of Representatives; and currently awaits Senate’s approval.

    Speaking as a guest speaker at the event commemorating the youth day, the Oyo State Commandant of PCN, Patriot Oludare Adesina Adigun enjoined youths to contribute to nation-building and national issues, saying there was hope for better tomorrow.

    The event, which was organised by the Impact Business Radio 92.5 FM, Akobo Ibadan was the brainchild of two presenters of the station, Mr. Olutayo Ogunade and Miss Opeyemi Ojabanjo.

    On the essence of this year’s International Youth Day, Adigun said there were more youths on the planet than ever before.

    He said: “The young people are not only our future, they are also our present. Our planet has never been suffused with so young people, as young women and men constitute 1.8 billion of the earth’s over two billion people. They are the most connected, the most outspoken and most open-minded generation the world has ever had.

    “They are powerful change agents, essential towards moving forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is not enough to hope for a better tomorrow; we must get it now. Change is underway and millions of citizens are already transforming the way to produce, consume and behave.”

    Continuing, he said: “The 2016 International Youth Day was not a chance to change the world but to change their lives. Youths should leverage on the information age because they are the luckiest generation.”

    The Peace Corps chief advised youths to contribute to national development, participate in the electoral processes, learn a skill, start a business, contribute to national issues and take responsibilities.

    He noted that youths needed an enabling environment, saying that government needed to relax some of its policies and tilt them towards poverty reduction.

    Emphasising the need to entrench enterprising culture in the country, the entrepreneur-cum-technologist said:”There is a general presumption that a society may have potential entrepreneurs, but only becomes entrepreneurial if it has a culture that supports innovation and initiative.”

    Drawing a comparison between lack of policies that promote entrepreneurial culture and poverty, he said: “Poverty is not created by the poor themselves, it is not because they lack skills that they are poor. Poverty may rather be created by institutions and policies and systems surrounding them.

    “In order to eliminate poverty, a new institution must be created, using a methodology that will target the financial needs of the poor and give them access to credit on reasonable terms.”

    Suggesting a way out of the socio-economic problem, the security chief said: “Charity is not the answer to poverty. It only perpetuates on a vicious cycle by creating dependency and killing the individual’s initiative to struggle out of poverty. The answer to poverty is the creation of a culture of entrepreneurship that unleashes the energy, which will engender a sustainable and enduring peace in the country.”

    The chairman of Impact Business Radio, Mr Owolabi Oladejo, emphasised that capital should not be an issue in starting up a business for youths.

    “What we need is human capital. Start with the people you trust and create something. This country must not frustrate you,” he said.