The Nation Newspaper

Tag: youths

  • Okorocha to youths: be hungry for information

    Okorocha to youths: be hungry for information

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged youths to develop appetite for information as a transformation tool.

    Okorocha was addressing youths at the first Imo Youth Annual lecture series and Award, with the theme: ”Building an Ideal Imo Youth”, at the Imo Youth Centre.

    His words: “As the future of this great country and state, you must rise to convert your potentials into action. Arouse your kinetic energy and see results of what you can do or become in the future.

    “To do this, the very key is information. There is no difference between the rich and the poor, but information. Make friends with somebody you can answer ‘Sir’ to. Seek transfer of knowledge, rather than seeking for money, for money can finish but knowledge is always there.

    “You are created with something deposited right inside you, and never fail nature that expects you to rise to fulfil your dreams. Lack of vision brings poverty and the worst poverty is poverty of the mind. You must set lofty and achievable goals for yourselves.

    “Make yourselves available to other seminars, such as this, to acquire education and transfer of knowledge faster; this brings out the very best in you. Don’t make excuses in order to succeed; take responsibilities and admit it because you will only have yourselves to blame if you fail to develop your potentials.

    “Learn to start small so that you can tell your story and stop all forms of gossip and backbiting. Discover your talent, that which you find easy to do, and follow it; it is God’s will for you. A man who has started a journey and made a mistake is better than one who has not started at all”.

  • Govt told to engagement youths

    Govt told to engagement youths

    The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), has urged the three tiers of government  to ensure full engagement of youths in the country.

    In addition, the body stressed that it is only through meaningful involvement and inclusive policies and decision making processes of youths, that solutions to some of the key problems experienced by young people can be resolved.

    ASSBIFI’s President, M Comrade Oyinkansola Olasanoye, in a chat with The Nation said government  should engage the youth because economic engagement has become more challenging, owing to the lack of decent employment opportunities

    He said the respective roles  of young people, policy makers, and the institutions through which they work, should be clearly defined. While young people need to play a central role in addressing issues that affect them, they cannot tackle the multitude of challenges alone, particularly in the economic and employment area.”

    The ASSBIFI chief said with high youth unemployment and underemployment in many parts of the world, young people are finding it increasingly difficult to secure quality jobs that offer benefits and entitlements.

    He said employers have the advantage of being able to offer young workers contracts that provide career security, health-care benefits or pension schemes, knowing that young people with few other prospects are not in a position to bargain and are poorly aligned to organise into collective bargaining units to try and improve their situation.

    “As a consequence, many young people end up in precarious work situations, with a short-term or non-employee contract (or no contract), little or nothing in the way of pension benefits, and no health insurance or unemployment insurance.  This interferes with a young person’s ability to plan for the future and become financially secure.”

    She noted that greater attention should be given to youth engagement at all levels within the development agenda, adding that there has been increased recognition of the value of young people’s participation as it pertains to both youth and wider development, as well as formal acknowledgement of the need to actively address the many challenges facing a growing youth population, including unemployment and underemployment, poverty, inequality, political unrest, and social exclusion.

    The labour leader, however, urged the three tiers of government to initiate policies that would facilitate youth engagement through institutionalised processes, adding that countries experiencing power vacuums are particularly susceptible to the infiltration of violent groups and extremist elements as young people can often be coerced or otherwise forced out of economic necessity, for example, to join groups or organisations that espouse violence

  • Youths donate to Ondo school

    A non-governmental group, The Rhealyz Naija Kit a Child, a youth network has donated books and some kits to St Williams Primary School, Oda in Ondo State.

    Speaking duration the presentation, the team leader, of Rhealyz Green Network, Mr Ireti Adesida, expressed satisfaction at the success of the project and revealed that it was his dream to reach out to indigent kids.

    Receiving the gifts, the headmistress Mrs Atere thanked the donors for their assistance.

    The Project Manager (Kit a Child Project) Kelechi Gloria Ndukwe, said, her dream was to make positive impact on lives of people who are less privileged.

    The excited pupils, villagers and teachers described the NGOs project at the school as a life changing experience. The donation was aimed at improving literacy level of the pupils.

     

  • ‘Youths promote stable economy, accountable govt’

    A new book which offers varying perspectives on the importance youths in building a stable and accountable government in Nigeria and others countries has been launched.

    The 2017 Lagos Book and Art Festival was preceded by a reading from ‘How to Win Elections in Africa: Parallels with Donald Trump’, the new book by the co-founders of RED, Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams.

    StateCraft Inc in conjunction with the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) hosted young and politically-aware Nigerians at a symposium, focusing youth involvement in elections and the creation of the next world order.

    According to Williams, the book is intended to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding the key factors that contribute to the success or otherwise of any elections, especially with insights from their roles in the election of three presidents in Nigeria and Ghana, including global epochal events such as the election of Donald Trump and the Brexit vote.

    An interactive panel session moderated by award-winning journalist Tolulope Adeleru Balogun followed immediately, with Dayo Israel, an International Development Specialist and Lagos-based politician, Okechukwu Ofili, the CEO and founder of Okada Books, Vimbai Mutinhiri and Adebola Williams as members, all offering varying perspectives on the importance youth participation in building a stable and accountable government in Nigeria and others.

    Speaking during the session, Ms. Mutinhiri stated that youth apathy in Zimbabwe has contributed to the 30-year long leadership of the Southern African nation, while Adebola Williams and Dayo Israel gave practical examples on the involvement of the youths involvement in unseating the incumbents in Nigeria and Ghana during the respective 2015 and 2016 elections. Despite these recent developments in West Africa, Mr Ofili offered the caution that the youths must not relent as it remains important to ensure that elected officials are constantly engaged and held accountable with the use of social media.

    ‘How to Win Elections in Africa: Parallels with Donald Trump’ which was launched earlier during the week at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut has begun a tour around the United States of America. On Thursday, 9 November, 2017, Chude Jideonwo was hosted by the Africa in Ohio platform of Ohio University for a reading from the new book. The book tour is scheduled to continue in Washington D.C, Pennsylvania and neigbouring country, Canada.

  • Anambra youths urges INEC to conduct credible election

    No fewer than 1,000 Anambra youths under the auspices of the Coalition of Anambra Youth Assembly have protested against any acts of rigging or violence during the governorship in state scheduled to hold this Saturday.

    The youths who carried placards, marched to various places in Awka, the capital city, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to register their aversion to the purported discovery of electoral materials in a certain hotel in Awka.

    Speaking to reporters, the leader of the group, Chief Ogoo Egolum, said Anambra youths want existing peace in the state to remain, with no acts of criminality.

    Egolum called on INEC and security agencies to do the needful to ensure that ‘unscrupulous elements did not hijack the election’ and called on youths to be vigilant during the polls.

    Responding, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, re-assured the people of credible, free and fair election on the November 18 that would be acceptable to the generality of the people. He debunked rumours of police interception of two lorry loads of sensitive materials meant for the election, saying the sensitive materials had yet to arrive in Awka and could not have been delivered to a hotel room.

    Orji said there are laid down processes for delivery of sensitive election materials, which involve strict monitoring of the process by party agents, election observers, security agencies and the media.

    The REC who was represented by Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Leo Ikedife, said the materials allegedly found in a hotel room in Awka did not belong to the commission.

    On the alleged printing of the Register of Voters, Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides: “INEC shall publish the Register of Voters not later than 30 days before an election. It is customary for the commission to provide the register to political parties fielding candidates for an election.

    “This was done in a widely-publicised event in Awka on October 18, 2017 during which all the parties present collected the electronic register. However, it is pertinent to note that the register given to political parties by INEC does not have the same details as the one used for elections.

    “Indeed, several fields and security features are not included in the register given to political parties.”

  • Ambode, others task youths on wealth creation

    Ambode, others task youths on wealth creation

    The Lagos state governor, Akinwumi Ambode has impressed on the youths the need to be self-reliant rather than wait on government’s lean resources for socioeconomic empowerment.Ambode gave this charge yesterday when he delivered the keynote address at a public forum tagged: ‘Lagos Money Conference’ with the theme, ‘Financial Literacy: Antidote to Economic Recession.

    The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti was however quick to add that the parlous state of the economy notwithstanding, there are lots of opportunities for businesses, especially startups. He said the state government is doing everything within its limited resources to create opportunities for the financially excluded in order to support their quest for economic empowerment.

    According to him, Lagos state he said has approved N4.9b loans for over 6000 micro, and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These modest efforts, he maintained, is to assist the teaming population of youths out there just as he implored the youths to make the most use of opportunities like volunteering rather than staying idle.

    Speaking earlier, Mayowa Adeduro, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anchor Insurance Company Limited, who spoke on ‘Uncommon strategies for financial inclusion’ regretted that over 112million Nigerians, which represents 70% of the entire population of over 180million, are living below poverty line. He tasked youths to be ready to take up any opportunity that comes their way rather than daydream about hitting it big.

    Fielding questions from journalists, Pastor Ola Adejube, the convener of the conference said he is convinced that if they youths are equipped with the right skills set and knowledge their worldview will change for the better.

  • FCMB advises youths to embrace banking

    FCMB advises youths to embrace banking

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has advised youths in Nigeria to key into the financial system by adopting a savings culture and other financial management techniques that would help secure their future.

    The bank made the clarion call at an outreach programme it organised for thousands of students in 30 secondary schools spread across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria to commemorate this year’s World Savings Day held on October 31.

    The exciting and educative mentoring sessions, which are in line with FCMB’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability philosophy, were anchored by top executives of the bank at the schools. This is the second consecutive year the lender is carrying out this exercise in partnership with the Bankers’ Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the theme, ‘’Learn, Earn, Save’’. Last year, FCMB executed a similar programme in 12 schools nationwide.

    The World Savings Day is aimed at teaching and reinforcing the key fundamentals of financial literacy, savings culture as well as entrepreneurial skills in the youth. This is part of the bank’s strategic contributions towards securing the future of young Nigerians by encouraging the adoption of savings and other financial management techniques at an early age to enhance their general well-being.

    Speaking during the mentoring session for students of Holy Child Girls College, Calabar in Cross River State, FCMB’s Manager, Calabar Road branch, Charles Emefiele, said that imbibing financial principles at an early age will go a long way to help students and young ones manage their resources effectively, appreciate how money works and how it can be channeled to productive ventures now and in the future. ‘’When you regularly put aside a portion of the money you are given or earn in a safe place that pays interest, this is what is known as savings. Saving money from early age guarantees financial independence, prudent management, planning and overall success of individuals Commenting on the significance of FCMB’s involvement in the annual World Savings Day, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Diran Olojo, said that it is an extension of its commitment to drive and deepen prudent and effective management of resources among the populace, especially youths.

  • 10,000 youths for pipeline surveillance in N/Delta

    No fewer than 10,000 youths of oil and gas producing communities in the South south region will secure jobs for pipeline surveillance.

    Over 800 of them went through the first batch training yesterday in Rivers state.

    The National Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), who won the contract to train and supply personnel for the services, Dr. Mike Emuh, said the first trainees will serve as para-military and  provide tactical as well as intelligence surveillance.

    This, he said, will enable them stop all forms of menace associated with illegal oil bunkering and consequences in the environments and ecosystem

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training at the National Youth Service Corps, Orientation Camp in Nonwa Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of the state, Emuh said the training would last for two weeks.

    Men of the Joint Military Task force and tactical units of security agencies will handle the training, he added.

    He said the employment would end the hydra headed problems associated with pipeline vandalism in the region.

    According to him: “This programme is to provide employment for jobless youths. Mr President has graciously approved the training of 10,000 youths across Niger Delta region. The training sessions will be coming in batches.

    “In Rivers State we are starting with 800 youths drawn from the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.

    “Other training sessions will take place in Uyo and Umuahia. The trainees will be grilled in pipeline surveillance and monitoring from vandalisation and also protect the environment.”

    He lamented that those unfamiliar with the environments of oil communities have been in charge of pipeline surveillance in the past.

    Emuh commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the interest shown in the development of Niger Delta and assured the region is solidly behind him.

    He stated that the era of violence and vandalisation of oil and gas pipelines in the region is over.

  • Sheath your sword, youths urged

    Youths of Eredo Local Council Development Area, Lagos have been advised to shun violence.

    The council chairman, Adeniyi Saliu said this at the Second Peace and Security meeting held at the council secretariat, Eredo.

    He appealed to all warring factions to eschew violence and embrace peace.

    According to him, full wrath of the law would be brought to bear on anyone causing breach of peace irrespective of such person’s status in the area.

    Saliu praised the security agencies for being proactive in securing the communities in the council.

    He urged them to ignore partisan propaganda and unfounded rumours.

     

     

     

  • Youths and sports betting

    Sir: Globally sport betting has become a big income generator for participants. Those who bet dare the odds to achieve their aim while the betting companies do as much as possible to redeem their pledges to those who won. For those who bet, they see it as an easy way to get easy or extra cash to augment their legitimate income (if any).

    At no time in the history of Nigeria has her youths been engaged in this game of making fast money than now. The rate at which young Nigerians engage in betting is alarming. Some have turned betting into a full-time job and so sleep in betting houses and so bets in virtually every game with the hope of making millions overnight. Gambling is euphemistically called betting.

    Not surprising, as the numbers of those who bet swell so has the betting companies multiplied by the day. They go by different names but united by the word ‘bet’. On daily basis, sport fans throngs betting centres to check their tickets to see if they won or lost. The passion with which sport fans come to watch their teams and hope they win has given birth to something different. Watching football in viewing centres these days have become unusual. These days one hears first half draw, straight win, over1.5, over 2.5, go go, 10 minutes draw, anybody win, etc.

    These ‘betters’ commit as much as they can afford into this gambling and hopes it pays up. As one explained to me, the more one risk that a smaller and weaker team will beat a more formidable one, the higher amount he wins. So one is often greeted with regretting remarks as ‘my ticket don tear’ ‘Barca why’ ‘E remain one game make I chop’ and so on when their hope of winning are dashed. Hardly have I seen anyone celebrating his winning but my ‘ticket don tear’ is the popular comment among ‘betters’

    The sea of heads one finds in both the viewing and betting centres demonstrates the unemployment situation in Nigeria. It shows how desperate people want to make money not through paid employment which is not there, but by guessing the correct outcome of football matches and other sports. If these youths were gainfully employed, there is no way one will find them crowded in betting centres all day hoping to hit it big.

    If my secondary school knowledge of Commerce serves me right, we were taught that ‘’gambling is an insurable risk’. Many continue to wallow in the realm of day-dreaming that one day their bet winning will make them so rich to fulfill their life’s expectations.

    The rate at which some Nigerian youths engage in betting is so alarming that one begins to wonder if their lives depend on its little and in-frequent earnings.

     

    • Joseph Nkashi,

    Lagos.