The Nation Newspaper

Tag: youths

  • ITF, NECA train 3,000 youths in technical skills

    Three thousand youths are being trained under the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), ITF Director-General Joseph Ari has said.

    The training is holding in 18 industrial centres nationwide.

    Ari said the TSDP was one of the initiatives by both organisations create jobs.

    “Its primary objective is to reduce unemployment, promote sustainable wealth creation and give the youths entrepreneurial and attitudinal proficiency through technical skills acquisition,” Ari stated.

    He said the participants would be trained in 18 trades and crafts, including electrical/electronic maintenance, mechanical machinery and maintenance.

    According to him, they would also be trained in welding, fabrication, plumbing/pipe fittings maintenance, beverage bottle operation and information and communications technology.

    Ari listed others as building construction, carpentry and joinery, agriculture and agro-allied, animal husbandry, aqua culture, breeding and hatchery, livestock and aqua culture feeds, as well as fashion designing.

    ITF and NECA, he said, expected the participating organisations to equip the trainees with competitive skills to enable them get jobs after the programme.

  • Quit notice: ‘We will reconsider our position’

    Quit notice: ‘We will reconsider our position’

    The Coalition of Arewa youths that issued a quit notice to the Igbo residing in the north will reconsider their stand following the position of Southeast leaders, Alhaji Shettima Yerima said yesterday.

    Yerima, President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), one of the youth groups that issued the October 1 deadline, told our reporter yesterday that they were pleased that the Igbo leaders strongly condemned the pro-Biafra agitators.

    He said: “We are happy that the Igbo leaders have taken a step to curtail some people who have been trying to hold the country down through their actions.

    Yerima said ultimatum was issued because the leaders did not do anything to caution the agitators, who were hellbent in causing trouble for the country.

    “Now that they have said they remain committed to indivisible Nigeria, we will reconsider our position on the matter,” Yerima said, adding:

    “We will have to discuss with the stakeholders across the North, what the Igbo leaders did is a welcome development. If they had done this the past, we would not have reasons to take the step we took.

    “It is unfortunate that they allowed their position and leadership to be undermined by one fraudster, toying with the destiny of over 40 million people, which is not right.

    “We are also saying people should not just fold their hands and allow some people who are desperate for relevance to toy with their collective destiny. We will meet and discuss the matter because we are truly proud of Nigeria.

    “Now that they have done what we expect of them, we would have to reconsider our position. We will meet and make our position known to the world.”

  • Kano NDLEA boss laments youths’ drug addiction

    Commandant of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State, Hamza Umar, has expressed worries over the alarming rate of youths’ addiction to hard drugs.

    Umar, who spoke during activities to mark the World Drugs Day in Kano, noted that the trend has taken a disturbing and frightening dimension.

    Despite the persistent campaign against drug abuse, Umar regretted that uniforms and guns cannot halt the ugly trend, hence, his appeal to religious communities to help sensitise the youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

    He admonished religious leaders to complement the agency by preaching to their followers to desist from hard drugs consumption.

    His words: “There is no way we can sustain this war without the support of religious organisations because uniforms and guns cannot solve the country’s problems. The bitter truth is that in this society, almost every class, from the so-called elite to the downtrodden, are affected by drug abuse.”

  • Four die as vigilante, youths clash in Kontagora

    FOUR people have died in a clash between youths of Angwan Yaman in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State and men of the Vigilante Corps.

    The irate youths allegedly set ablaze a patrol vehicle and office of the Vigilante Corps following the death of a 17- year -old boy who was arrested, detained and tortured by the Vigilante Corps The incident occurred on Thursday night.

    The Vigilante men had arrested the 17 year old boy who was returning home late during the Ramadan period, and he was allegedly detained and tortured till the next morning.

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • ACF seeks punishment for Arewa youths coalition

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Federal Government to punish members of the Arewa Youth Coalition for making a hate speech.

    Speaking in its Eid-el-fitr message, signed by National Publicity Secretary Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the ACF said any plan to disunite the country or cause chaos should be resisted and dealt with accordingly.

    The ACF urged the Muslim faithful to adhere to prayers and acts of love, tolerance, unity and others good deeds carried out during the Ramadan fasting.

    The group said: “ACF commends the Federal Government for its proactive approach that douse the tension created by the Biafra agitators and the subsequent quit notice issued by the Northern Youth groups. The consultations held with the various group leaders and other stakeholders from the North and South East for the purpose of promoting unity and peaceful coexistence was appropriate and timely.

    “ACF has observed with concern that the hate messages and actions from the agitators have continued unabated. ACF therefore, urges the Federal Government to be firm and assert its authority, and ensure that the law takes its full course on those who consider themselves above the law.

    “The Ramadan period was an opportunity for Muslims all over world to fast, pray, and devote themselves to the reading and teachings of the Holy Quran, practices and sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It was also an occasion for Muslims to reaffirm their belief in the oneness of Almighty Allah (SWT) and the ideals of Islam.

    “Muslims also prayed fervently for peace, unity and understanding among the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general. They also helped the less privileged and the poor in view of the prevailing economic hardships and other inequalities among the citizenry.

    “ACF therefore wishes the Muslim Ummah a peaceful and Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration. It equally urges Nigerians to devote themselves to prayers for unity, peaceful coexistence and especially to the sick and our dear President Muhammadu Buhari. ACF wishes President Buhari quick recovery and early return home to continue with the daunting task of governance.

    “In the spirit of the season, ACF calls on Nigerians to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most civilised means to address grievances, rather than engage in hate speeches, threats and intimidation, that have unfortunately been trying to polarize us along tribal, regional and religious divides.”

  • Ogun govt cautions youths against drug abuse

    Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, has described as worrisome the increasing rate of drug abuse among youths.

    He said it was responsible for most social vices among youths.

    Ipaye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in Ogun State Health Management Board, Dr. Ayinde Adesanya, spoke at this year’s United Nations (UN) Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the theme: Listen First, jointly organised by the state government and the state’s command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The commissioner listed the social ills associated with drug abuse, saying parents and other stakeholders should interact with youths to inculcate the right attitudes and morals into them to check the trend.

    He said the state government’s Committee on Control of Drug Abuse would increase its campaign against the menace as well as other ills, including child trafficking.

    Ipaye said: “In the effort to rid our schools of hard drugs, the State Drug Abuse Control Committee has successfully established drug-free clubs in 20 secondary schools across the state.”

    The state’s NDLEA Commandant Bala Fagge said drug abuse had assumed non-conventional means.

    He said addicts had resorted to taking overdose of cough syrup and other dangerous substances to get high.

    The NDLEA officer added that it was imperative to vigorously pursue public enlightenment and prevention campaigns on drug abuse.

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • Quit order: Southern leaders seek sanctions against Arewa youths

    Some southern leaders yesterday urged the Federal Government to address the quit order issued by some Arewa youth groups to the Igbo to vacate the North.

    They spoke after a meeting at Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s house in Lagos. It was attended by leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by its President Nnia Nwodo, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Chief Albert Horsefall and former Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ikiweý (rtd).

    The leaders said the ultimatum was been handled with levity, adding that it was a threat to Southern Nigeria.

    The communique of the meeting read by Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “We the people of Southern Nigeria, comprising Southeast, Southwest and Southsouth of Nigeria, decided to come together to forge a common and formidable front and sustenance of sound principles of national development ,equity, fairness, social justice and political emancipation.

    “The meeting held against the backdrop of the ultimatum given by the Arewa youths to the people of Southeast and by extension to all southerners to vacate the North by October 1, 2017 and the refusal of the Nigerian state to activate the law against any of them, giving us the impression that these youths are not acting on their own, but with the backing of their establishment.

    “We consider the need to avert the impending danger arising from the ultimatum given by the Arewa youths.

    “We agreed that there is a growing demand by our people and other Nigerians to form a stronger federation in which principles and practice of true federalism are upheld. We observe that the cry for self-determination will continue unabated and become much more stringent unless the Federal Government sincerely address the issues of restructuring of Nigeria.

    “We, therefore, resolve that we reject the attempt to, reduce the current crisis in Nigeria, flowing from the unresolved nationality question to an Igbo and North affair. The meeting, therefore, insists that any further discussion on this crisis should be between the entire South and the North of Nigeria. The Southeast is advised to consider any further meeting where the Southwest and Southsouth are not involved as southern Nigeria because the issues involved affects all of us.

    “We also demand that Arewa youths and their sponsors must withdraw the quit notice given to the people of the Southeast as failure to do so, will be taken as an ultimatum given to the entire Southern Nigeria to quit their region and any attack against anybody from the South, will be considered an attack against the Southern Nigeria.

    “We advise the Federal Government to take seriously and live up to the primary responsibility of any government, which is to protect the lives and property of every citizen of Nigeria wherever they may reside.”

    The leaders said the consistent attack by Fulani herdsmen on communities in the Southwest was heating the polity, noting that government must stem the tide.

    “Now, we also resolved on the need for the restructuring of Nigeria and to uphold the principles of true federalism as agreed by the founding fathers of Nigeria and practiced effectively in the years before the first military coup in Nigeria.

    “Now we also resolved on the need for the restructuring of Nigeria and to uphold the principles of true federalism as agreed by the founding fathers of Nigeria and practised effectively in the years before the military took over power in Nigeria.

    “We affirm and resolve in the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference aimed at complete transformation and restructuring of our country and to build and confederate Nigeria unity through peaceful and harmonious unity, progress and genuine development.”

  • Ikpeazu urges youths to prioritise

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called on youths to channel their energies to worthwhile ventures and uplifting values, and shun mundane issues with which they seem to be preoccupied.

    Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital, at the maiden edition of the Social Orientation Programme for Youths organised by the state government in collaboration with the Vicar Hope Foundation, Ikpeazu said that the need for youths to de-emphasise mundane issues cannot be overemphasised.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, observed that the blissful future of Nigerian youths was constantly being challenged by uncertainties arising from involvement in cultism, alcoholism, drug addiction and armed robbery among many vices.

    He stated that his government recognised the enormous responsibilities facing families, schools, churches, mosques and society in the total upbringing of the child and assured that he is assiduously committed to the welfare of the youth and that no stage of a child’s upbringing in Abia State would be taken for granted.

    Also speaking, the wife of the governor and founder of the Vicar Hope Foundation, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu stated that her foundation conceived the social orientation programme as its special gift to children in commemoration of the 2017 edition of the Nigerian Children’s Day celebration.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu observed that children are the future of the nation and there is a compelling need to better prepare them for that future by consciously and deliberately mentoring them through programmes that point out the way they should go and by making them engage in activities that cater for their mental as well as corporeal facilities.

    In a goodwill message, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chikwendu Kalu stated that the Abia legislature would, through robust and well-thought out legislation, create a conducive environment that will ensure that all youth attain their potentials in life irrespective of their family backgrounds.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Prof. Uche Ikonne  who was represented by Prof. Maxwell Ogbolo stressed the need for the youth to be disciplined and focused on activities that are germane to the progress and development of society such as honesty and hard work.

    The programme featured lectures, dance-drama and the unveiling of a 15 chapter book titled Toward A Better Tomorrow whose production was commissioned by Mrs. Ikpeazu and whose contents are tailored toward the needs, challenges, aspirations and endeavours of children.

    The programme was attended by 3200 students aged 13-17 years and drawn from selected public and private secondary schools in the 17 local government areas of the state.