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Tag: youths

  • Osun, World Bank empower 1,131 youths

    Osun, World Bank empower 1,131 youths

    The Osun State government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has empowered 1,131 less-privileged youths.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on International Relations, Dr. Michael Odugbile, who spoke at an orientation and training programme for beneficiaries at Ede, noted that the World Bank supported the initiative under the state’s Youth Employment and Social Support Operation.

    According to him, the programme is one of the bank’s projects for supporting Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s agenda to banish unemployment and poverty.

    He said: “YESSO programme is supporting the poorest of the poor unemployed youths between ages 18 and 35 years, especially those who do not have more than the Junior Secondary School Certificate (JSSC).”

    Also, Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement Mrs. Foluke Adegboyega said the YESSO is the  offshoot of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme  (O’YES).

    She said the programme was designed to rescue the underprivileged.

    The commissioner said beneficiaries, with lower certificates or none, were those who demonstrated outstanding character.

    Mrs Adegboyega said the 1,131 were selected by their communities.

    She said: “The beneficiaries will be entitled to a stipend of N7,500 per month and this will be based on their participation in activities of the programme.”

    The commissioner added that the deployment of YESSO beneficiaries will be based on needs of communities.

  • NISDP: ITF training 11,000 youths 

    NISDP: ITF training 11,000 youths 

    As part of its continued efforts to create jobs in line with the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has commenced the training of 11,000 youths nationwide under the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

    The training, which commenced last week, is the second phase of the 2016 NISDP, which trained 10,000 youths from 18 states. Under this phase, 300 youths, each from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will be equipped with requisite skills in tailoring and fashion designing, plumbing and pipe fitting and welding and fabrication. Reports from across the 3,700 centres, indicated that all the expected trainees have turned up for the exercise.

    In a release by Head, Public Affairs Unit of the ITF , Suleyol Fred Chagu, said in order to ensure that trainees of the programme realise their potentials and dreams, supporting equipment in the trade areas will be provided to all trainees as starter pack, adding that this will serve as empowerment for all participants.

    The ITF urged all the selected trainees to make good use of the opportunity by displaying high level of commitment throughout the period of training in order to achieve the intended result.

    “The NISDP, which is the hard skills component of the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), has equipped over 100,000 Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship,” she said.

  • Anambra: APC, youths and Nwoye factor

    Ahead of Anambra November 18 governorship election, candidates of 37 political parties and their running mates have emerged. There are contenders, but great majority are pretenders in the race. There are parties to watch and parties to mock. Among the three senatorial zones in the state-North, South and Central, the North holds the ace, having produced candidates of the major parties in the election-All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    While the candidates of APGA, Willie Obiano and that of the PDP Oseloka Obazee are of the old political order in the state that needed to be changed, that of the APC, Tony Nwoye is a paradigm shift from the old order. Nwoye’s emergence and overwhelming victory in the primary signalled a new order in the politics of the state. It is a true manifestation of his acceptability in the state, especially among the youths in the grassroots, who are the majority voters. Coming at a time, the National Assembly is considering a bill on “Not Too Young to Run” is quite timely.

    Luckily for the people of the state and entire Igbo land, the choice of Nwoye at a time the South-east zone is in dire need of reconnecting with the “centre” is a blessing in disguise. This is because Nwoye’s victory in the forthcoming election will serve as a huge vehicle to take the zone to the centre ahead of 2019, when other states in the zone will definitely join the moving train there in 2019. This will not only give the people of South-east complete sense of belonging politically, they will have their due share.

    With Nwoye’s leadership records and achievements over the years, he has shown that he is a leader to be trusted with huge responsibility any day, any time, especially when it has to do with his home state Anambra. This is where Nwoye was born and brought up and has always identifed with his people, especially in time of need.

    Nwoye’s giant strides in leadership are not a thing of today. It began at a time not many medical students in the university delve into Students Union Government (SUG) politics because of the enormity of their academic and practical schedules, but Nwoye braved the odds.

    Asa junior student at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), he maturely led members of the University of Nigeria’s Medical Association (UNMSA), to pressure the university authority to lift the ban on students’ unionism after many years of ban. He later won a seat to represent the medical students in the student’s union House of Representatives. From there, he contested and won the Speakership of S.U.G House of Representatives, becoming the first medical student to serve in that capacity in the history of university.

    Not resting on his oars, with his always-ready-to serve-or-lead attitude, huge leadership responsibility beckoned on him in 2003, when against all odds, he was elected National President of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS). That was how he became the first Igbo man to occupy the position till date.

    Realising the need to maximise his leadership qualities as a vibrant youth, the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State elected him Assistant Secretary of the party in 2005. Following his exemplary performance, he was made the substantive chairman of PDP in 2006 at the age of 21. It was under his leadership that PDP won majority of the seats in state and National Assembly elections in 2007.

    Having provided leadership that was embedded in strength of character, Nwoye was invited by his people to contest House of Representatives in 2011. He contested and was massively voted for only for some forces of darkness within and outside the state to connive and thwart the peoples’ wish by declaring another person winner of the election. Nwoye and his people fought the injustice in court and his stolen mandate was returned to him.

    It is of note to also recall that in line with the confidence and trust the people had in him, Nwoye emerged the PDP governorship candidate in 2013 election. This was despite a protracted legal tussle between him and other bigwigs in the party over the ticket. It took a high level conspiracy between the then APGA-led government of Peter Obi in the state, President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency and other external forces to influence the election in favour of Obi’s now estranged godson and incumbent governor, Willie Obiano. Nwoye emerged second runner up.

    It was in compensation of the injustice meted to Nwoye in 2013 that made his people to re-elect him into House of Representatives in 2015. Having seen that PDP has lost its original vision, coupled with the leadership crisis that hit the party, Nwoye consulted his people who advised him to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and serve them better. That was how and why Nwoye defected to APC.

    With the wealth of practical leadership experiences that spanned over a decade, there is no doubt that Nwoye is the man to beat in the election. Nwoye stands shoulder high above all other candidates in the race, including the duo of Obaze and Obiano, who are offshoots of Obi’s shaky political dynasty. APC’s choice of him was not by accident, but popularity, quality and grassroots-based. Nwoye represents hope for youths in the leadership of Nigeria.

    So far, Nwoye has proven that age is just a game of number in leadership. With the way events are unfolding in the state ahead of the election, it appears the people of Anambra have decided to effect leadership change that will place governance in the state on the shoulder of a viable and accessible youth like Nwoye. This is also in fulfilment of the saying that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Nwoye’s success story in the leadership positions before now raise hope that being given a higher responsibility of governor, he will serve better and selflessly for humanity.

    Nwoye is not only a consummate leader and tactical politician; he is a medical doctor, who decided to suspend practice for a while to serve his people, having seen that leadership challenge has become a recurring decimal. With Nwoye as a leading candidate in the poll, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the APC, youths and people of Anambra State.

     

    • Chimanya, a cleric wrote Awka, Anambra State.
  • Wema Bank promotes home ownership for youths

    Wema Bank promotes home ownership for youths

    Wema Bank Plc has reiterated its commitment to give the millennials (the youths) the opportunity to save and have their own homes, own cars or go on vacation.

    Armed with over seven decades experience on providing banking services, Wema Bank introduced an insight-driven, innovative digital offering to Nigerians earlier in the year.

    The ALAT is Wema’s Digital Bank, the first fully digital bank in the country. Through the product, the lender hopes millennials will be encouraged to save more towards projects they would love to undertake.

    As the government strives to improve housing in the country, Wema Bank is encouraging Nigerians to exploit the opportunity it presents to start saving for their homes.

    “Even if you would access mortgage loan, you still need to save towards a down payment,” explains Funmilayo Falola who manages Wema Bank’s branding and marketing communications. “With your ALAT savings goal, you can save at your own convenience towards this.”

    “ Save for your next home and Wema Bank will furnish it. All you need to do is open an ALAT account by downloading the ALAT app from your Google Play Store or iOS App Store. Then, create a Savings Goal and make the title My Dream Home”.

    “You can determine how often you save but saving is automated once you make your choice. But make sure you have figured out where and how you want to live, how much home you can afford (considering your current income, expenses and future goals),” the bank explained.

    “If you are taking a mortgage loan, you’d also consider the down payment, which may be up to 30 percent of the total value of the home being purchased. There are other associated costs, including furnishing, which Wema Bank has offered to pay for,” it said.

    The need to boost housing availability follows Nigeria’s rising housing deficit, estimated to be about 17 million units. “While the government has often assured citizens of its commitment to providing affordable housing, and reducing the deficit, the minister in charge of Housing Babatunde Fashola said in November 2016 that the size of government resources and its ambition will determine the success of its housing plans,” it added.

  • Use sports to unite Nigerian youths-Gwegwe tells FG

    Use sports to unite Nigerian youths-Gwegwe tells FG

    The federal, state, and local governments have been called upon to use sports to unite youths in the country.

    Vice President of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) in charge of the South-South Zone, . Kali Gwegwe who made the call, added that they can achieve this by sponsoring their youths to as many tournaments as possible.

    Sports, according to him remain the most potent platform for uniting Nigerian youths from the various political, cultural, and religious divides.

    Gwegwe was speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state ahead of the 2017 edition of Oba of Benin National U-13 Boys and U-18 Girls Soccer tournament coming up in Benin, the Edo State capital from the 13th to 20th October 2017.

    The YSFON boss argued that no youth involved in sports will have time to hate or be involved in crime and other anti-social activities presently hunting the peace of the country.

    He equally canvassed for increased allocation for sports noting that the sector has been poorly funded in the last four years.

    “Investing in youths and sports is one sure way of ensuring a better future for any Nation,” he said even as he revealed that the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the Edo State government are doing everything possible to host a successful tournament.

    He called on states to prepare ahead of time as the winners and first runner up will represent Nigeria in international youth tournaments in Europe next year.

  • Commandant urge Rivers youths to shun violence, embrace peace

    Commandant urge Rivers youths to shun violence, embrace peace

    The Rivers State Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Oyemike Oyemike, has urged youths to shun violence and embrace peace.

    He spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, at a public lecture to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace.

    Oyemike noted that the international day of peace was an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace.

    He said: “It is necessary for Nigerians from different religions and ethnic backgrounds to do away with sentimental beliefs and pursue the virtue of peace, law and social order.

    “The act of conflict prevention, peace building, peace making and post-conflict transformation, the cornerstone of thriving democracy and sustainable development, involve all, especially the government, individuals and the larger society.”

    The commandant also stated that it is in preparing youths towards embracing the culture of peace and the act of non-violence that the founding fathers of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, in their wisdom, initiated the scheme, tailored at redirecting the productive energy of youths, to make them useful to their families and nation.

    The guest speaker, Dr. Raimi Lasisi, who spoke on “Together for Peace, Respect, Safety and Dignity for all,” insisted that efforts must be made to ensure peace to have development and make progress.

    Lasisi said: “While the United Nations, which acts as the global watchdog, is doing everything possible to ensure global peace, the actions or even inactions of individuals and select groups continue to provide incentives for violence, conflicts and war in many parts of the country and the world in general.

    “Anti-peace drums are being sounded across Nigeria, as the old evil of Boko Haram struggles to maintain its deadly status in the North, in addition to the migratory character of the herdsmen violence. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is corroborating their efforts in the East. This is in addition to widespread discontent and in most cases social antagonism among Nigerian citizens concerning the economic hardship in the country.

    “In Nigeria, the threat to our collective conscience (togetherness), sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity emerged as a result of structural historical circumstances that were not humanely addressed and now, they have festered to the extent that it is almost difficult to exorcise their ghosts.

    “While economic conditions, notably poverty, are the major drivers of violence and crime around the world, especially in developing societies, cultural and religious indicators are by far the most devastating, with regard to living together for sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity around the world.”

    The guest speaker also stated that coming together to ensure sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity for all in any society would require mutual respect for diversity, especially in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria, stressing that sustainable peace and respect would provide the necessary pathway to safety and dignity for all.

    He pointed out that the importance of good governance in cementing relationships among citizens in any society could never be overemphasised, stressing that good governance would create an enabling environment for citizens of any country to feel the positive impact of governance, have respect for the institutions and succumb to the rule of law.

    Lasisi noted that government must ensure that youths were empowered through healthy employment opportunities, stating that the absence of sustainable jobs, especially for the youths, would make them a ready army for all kinds of illicit socio-economic activities that would undermine sustainable peace, respect, safety and dignity for all.

  • ITF begins training of 11,000 youths

    ITF begins training of 11,000 youths

    Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has begun training of 11,000 youths nationwide, under the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

    This is part of its efforts to create jobs in line with the policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    A statement by the Head, Public Affairs Unit, Mrs. Suleyol Shagu, in Jos yesterday, said: “The training, which began on September 18, follows the second phase of the 2016 NISDP that trained 10,000 youths from 18 states.

    “Under this phase, 300 youths each from the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory will be equipped with skills in Tailoring and Fashion Designing, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Welding, Fabrication, etc.

    “Beneficiaries, mostly youths, responded by being present at the 3,700 centres across the country, to start the training.

     ”To ensure the trainees realise their potential and dreams, equipment in the trade areas will be provided for the trainees as starter packs. This is to serve as empowerment for participants to set up on their own and boost the entrepreneurial sector. “

    ITF urges trainees to be committed, in order to achieve result.

    NISDP, the hard skills component of National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), has equipped over 100,000 Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

  • APCOMN advises youths on peace

    Members of the Association of Peace and Conflict Mediators in Nigeria (APCOMN),  Southsouth zone, have appealed to youths to desist from violence and conflict agitation.

    The group spoke at this year’s International Day of Peace in Port Harcourt,  Rivers State, yesterday.

    It  maintained that the peace and unity of the nation is non-negotiable, calling on youths to form a political party to pursue their political aspirations instead of continuously crying about marginalisation.

    According to APCOMN, youth dissatisfaction on leadership  and appointments   triggers violent agitation and killing.

    Speaking through its National President,  Famaa Bariledum,  it said “genuine agitation cannot be achieved with violence.”

    Bariledum said: “Instead of youths to continue to engage in quarrel and cry for recycling of the old political class into power in the country, since they are in majority and election is a game of numbers,  they should mobilise themselves through various youth groups, register a political party and vote themselves.  This way, they will be able to chase away the old people occupying power and assume their true position as leaders in politics without violence.”

    He urged  politicians to place national peace above their selfish interest, adding that they should respect the rule of law while going about their political activities.

    He also urged the military to develop a  healthy relationship with civilians to avoid   carnage between them and  the public.

    APCOMN said  the Federal Government should douse tension in the country and prevent conflict arising from religion, ethnicity and political dispute.

    It called on stakeholders to ensure that hostile parties are brought to the negotiation table.

  • BoI: Killing the dream of Nigerian youths?

    SIR Contrary to the notion of job creation through capacity building and funding of enterprising ideas, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Support Programme (YES Programme), through the Bank of Industry is gradually derailing from its classical foundation of helping young aspiring entrepreneurs. Whereas the government came up with the very beautiful programme to support jobless Nigerian youth, the Bank of Industry has turned it to something else. More than a year down the line, there has not been any significant achievement for a programme designed to create about 36,000 jobs annually. The manner and approach by which the bank is handling the programme is parallel to its set objectives. My experience bears this out.

    I applied for the BOI YES Programme and became one of the successful applicants. I participated in the three months online training with the African Management Initiative and was finally selected to advance to the next phase of the programme which was in-class training. I was posted to Kano for the training which lasted for five days. I spent my life’s savings in the course transporting myself from Abuja to Kano and paid for my five-day hotel accommodation as well as dinner as breakfast and lunch were regularly served throughout the training.

    During the in-class training, officials of BOI advised us to among other conditions, to register our businesses with Corporate Affairs Commission as an enterprise and secure a business premises as equity contribution.

    I secured a business premises at the sum of N 140,000.00/year on November 16, 2016 immediately after the in-class training as advised by BOI officials during the training. The tenure of the rent is about to elapse in the next two months. The premises have since been inspected by the staff of the Bank of Industry. I also registered and obtained a certificate of business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission on December 14, 2016 at the rate of N15, 000.00. This is also part of the conditions set out by the bank.

    I was asked to submit a copy of my National Identity Card or Driver’s License or International Passport as part of the conditions precedent to disbursement. As at that time I had only one means of identification; temporary national identity card which could not be accepted by the bank. I quickly rushed to obtain an International Passport which cost me N30, 000.00.

    The Bank after fulfilling the above requirements demanded one percent appraisal fee which is mandatory and non-refundable. I paid the N26, 800.00 at a time I was exhausted and virtually left with nothing to sell-off to pay for the prescribed amount. I decided to approach my neighbour to borrow the N26, 800.00 which I promised to pay back immediately after disbursement of the loan.

    In the end, I got my application rejected. The disqualification was based on the submission of my final statement of results (bachelor degree) not certificate which was still not ready. This was in spite of explanation rendered to the BOI by the Registrar of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in a letter dated August 29 which confirmed that the original certificate of my degree is still in process and would be released as soon as it is ready. The Registrar implored the Bank to treat my case in view of the certification. Meanwhile, the bank categorically posted on its official website (http://www.boi.ng/yes/) that it accepts alternatives to degree/HND certificates such as final statement of results or other verifiable evidence of course completion.

    Now that I have been made to spend the money I saved during my national service to start business immediately after the service, and being a jobless graduate with no any source of income, I am now left with no idea of what to do next than to wait until I get a job. I am now battling to pay back the money I borrowed from a neighbour which I paid to the bank as appraisal fee.

    I call on the federal government, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to look closely into the activities of the Bank of Industry to ensure that it does not take advantage of hapless youths. Currently, there are allegations that the N10billion released to the bank by the federal government for the purpose of the programme has been mismanaged.

     

    • Al-Amin Usman Funtua,

    Katsina State

  • Are youths ready to lead

    Too often have different groups and individuals talked about youths being leaders of tomorrow. However, are the youths truly the leaders of tomorrow?

    So many questions like can we count on the present generation to lead our country and are the youths really ready, beg for answers.

    These are just a few out of the platoon of questions to consider before giving thought to the idea of this present generation taking over from the reigns of the previous.

    Meanwhile, one needs to know what defines a leader. No denial that factors that make anyone a leader include but not limited to maturity which is not just about age, temperaments, mindsets, exposure, failure as success experiences, etcetera.

    To become a leader is not a day job. Parents, teachers and the society all play a vital part in the process of brewing an outstanding leader, one that is able to gain the trust of followers that later emerge leaders in different spheres of life.

    Nowadays, college graduates feel they are equipped with the tools to take on the world by merely obtaining a degree from the tertiary institution. Frankly speaking, not everyone is poised to lead or to become a leader.

    The world we live in today is far different from the world of 100 years ago. Youths of today are more concerned with technology, social media, gadgets, fashion, innovations, etcetera. Irrespective of the fact that technological advancement has changed our perspective of the world.

    Unfortunately, the more the innovation and technological advancements, the more the younger generations are becoming irrelevant. No hard feelings, it is just sad that most young people have failed to brace up to occupy the spaces that science and technological disruptions are creating in different field of endeavour.

    They only lazily enjoy the ease of work that comes with these disruptions as they hardly need to open a book, Bible, Quran or newspaper, with virtually every information available online.

    Dynamically, there is no good without evil. Do we admit that Social media is playing the role of being the evil here for setting our youths off course. Of course no, because the same Social Media has created jobs for several people as marketers, strategists, managers, consultants, etc.

    Incredibly, statistics show that 65% of young people are on more than one social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp and so on. Interestingly, children aren’t left out of the action with eleven, twelve year olds owing a social media account that their parents are not familiar with.

    The blame can’t be solely laid on social media and technology only. The government too is at fault. Not all youths are privileged to be educated, even those that do are either half-baked by institutions or self-inflicted failure, while the crop of others are not well-transitioned from adolescence to adulthood.

    Promisingly, there is yet the strong believe that a meaningful proportion of our youths are ready for leadership roles. The hope is hinged on the fact that the University political system, the Student Union Government (S.U.G), produces credible leaders who often fight for the rights of their colleagues.

    As it is currently, the younger generation may want to learn to stay together to pull the required strength as against a few who are loyalists of the older generations that have looted the treasury of the country and are not willing to give up just yet.

    Like the current crop of leaders, some young people trail the parts of non-challancy and lack of respect for the people who voted them into position. Well, there are some who care and devoted to the mission and task of improving the office when they step in. And for those who only fancy social life and aren’t ready to take on responsibilities, the time is now to face reality.

    Bill Bradley cannot be faulted when he claimed that leadership could also unlock people’s potentials to become better. On the other hand, leaders are born while some are made. People often relate leadership to politics and that’s blatantly wrong.

    Parents, teachers, entrepreneurs are all leaders in their respective fields and they help to shape the world we live in. Onus, thus, falls on young people to shape the world the way they want it to be for their children and the generation next.