The Nation Newspaper

Tag: youths

  • Epe youths hail lawmaker

    A coalition of youth bodies in Epe Local Government  of Lagos State, under the aegis of Epe Youth for Progressive Governance ( EYPG), has hailed  the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency,  Wale Raji, for his quality representation.

    Raji, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), once served as the permanent secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperative and Commerce.

    In a joint statement by the Convener, Bamidele Ahmed and Secretary, Folorunsho Oluwakemi, the group praised the legislator for fulfilling his promises.

    It described Raji as a ‘trailblazer’, whose achievements in his first 20 months were commendable.

    “Governance is all about catering for the people. While politicians are fond of making promises during campaigns and not fulfilling them, the indefatigable lawmaker has shown that the path of honour is possible to follow by matching  promises with fulfilment.

    “His empowerment scheme within this short period has achieved a lot that will remain  indelible in the minds of people.”

  • Tambuwal enrolls youths on Naija Green card

    As part of efforts to encourage enterprise among its indigenes, the Sokoto state government has enrolled several high school students, undergraduate as well as those on National Youth Service scheme on Nigerian Students and Youth Corps members Discount Card (Naija Green card), a discount platform for goods and services across the country, The Nation has learnt.

    Giving this hint at the weekend was the Initiator of the project, Bimbo Daramola. He spoke at the one year anniversary Naija Green card initiative.

    Daramola hinted that the Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bridge Concept to enroll students and youth corps members from the state on the platform.

    The state government, he disclosed, signed the agreement with a view of easing pressures associated with insufficient funds for senior students from the state wherever they may find themselves in the country.

    The card enables holders to enjoy between five to 70 percent discount on goods and services from partners on the project.

    According to him, the prevailing economic realities of the country might be major reason behind the decision of the state to embark on the project.

    The MoU, he stressed, will enable senior students and youth corps members to enjoy a variety of discounts on goods and services they wish to enjoy from 10,000 commercial around the country and business organisations.

    “Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Speaker who has done so well being the very first state to have a deep reflection of what it takes for social security to be impactful. Now everyone is talking about social welfare and palliatives. The other day I saw on television, Bauchi state talking about social protection for young people and so on, that’s wonderful and this is the heart of it,” he noted.

    “When Tambuwal decided to sign an MoU between Sokoto state government and Naija Green card, it is to tell the world that he does not want destitute persons, prostitutes, fraudsters, Yahoo-Yahoo and other preventable crimes among his youths in his state but a bunch of young people who are not under pressure.”

     

  • ‘The rich should help youths’

    A member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Zonal Youth Leader, Southeast, Sir Paul Chukwuka Chukwuma has urged the well-to-do to support youths and help them lead productive lives.

    Sir Paul was speaking in Awka, the Anambra State capital, at the birthday ceremony of a notable philanthropist Dr Obinna Uzo, who marked his 54th birthday.  The APC leader said Uzo’s philanthropy was worthy of emulation.

    Sir Paul also spoke glowingly of former governor of the state Peter Obi, who he said would be remembered in the state and beyond for his verifiable achievements including helping to elect for the first time a governor of Anambra North extraction.

    Chukwuma, an APC governorship aspirant in the state, said his overriding interest and campaign are on policies and how to lift the profile of the state in his quest for the state’s Government House.

    He hailed Obi as well as Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, who also governed the state. He said Ngige ended the era of godfathers in Anambra politics, adding that the quality of infrastructure, especially roads put in place by the Ngige administration remains unparalleled.

  • ‘Bank of Industry ‘ll support youths in agric’

    ‘Bank of Industry ‘ll support youths in agric’

    The Bank of Industry (BoI) has pledged more funding support for youths willing to venture into processing of agricultural commodities.

    A representative of the bank, Mr. Tolulope Toluwalase gave the commitment during the closing ceremony of Champions for Change Leadership in Agriculture short course in Abuja.

    The training was organised by Africa Lead in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

    Toluwalase said the bank is willing to release as much as possible funding to support the trainees without stringent collaterals.

    According to him, graduates among other interested youths could make use of their certificates as a guarantee to access the loans.

    “The training will increase their capacity especially to approach BoI for assistance in whatever project they might be interested in agriculture. At BoI, we have lots of products participants can make use of. There is facility for women and youths.

    “We have interest rates that are attractive, tenores that are good and security arrangements the youths can meet; so whenever they are ready to harness their potentials, access funds, BoI is open and willing to attend to them,” Toluwalase said.

    Earlier, West Africa Regional Head, Africa Lead, Mrs. Carla Denizard said the training on change management for women and youths was to equip the participants on principles of African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

    She said it was designed to inspire, energise and mobilise innovative leaders, champions and thinkers who are committed to creative new approaches to achieve food security in Africa.

    Describing Africa Lead as primary capacity building program in sub Saharan Africa, she said the initiative remained committed to realising the Feed the Future (FTF) goals to reduce hunger and poverty by building capacity of agriculture professionals.

    She identified need to promote strategic leadership, planning and evaluation to achieve success in agriculture development programmes.

  • Youths seek appointment of Imo representative on NDDC board

    Youths seek appointment of Imo representative on NDDC board

    Imo State youths have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint another state representative into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.
    They told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri the delay in appointing the representative amounted to injustice.
    NAN recalls that President Buhari appointed Senator Osita Izunaso, who is not from an oil-producing area, a board member, but he later resigned.
    Mr. Chigozie Ohiri, the president, Niger Delta Youth Movement, Imo State chapter, appealed to the president to appoint an indigene of oil-producing area into the board.
    He said the appointment of a representative of Ohaji/Egbema or Oguta Local Government, oil-producing areas, would give the people a sense of belonging.
    Ohiri complained that none of the N30 billion contracts the commission awarded was located in the two local governments.
    “Our investigation shows none of the 15 road contracts awarded by NDDC at the cost of over N30 billion is located in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta.
    “These are the two oil-bearing councils.
    “This is an abuse of NDDC intra-state sharing formula as enshrined in the act establishing the commission,’’ he said.
    Mr. Ozor Okorie said it was necessary for the President to appoint a representative from the oil-bearing part of the state into the board.
    He said it would guarantee justice and fair play.
    According to him, most communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local governments have no electricity and potable water, while the roads are bad and the school buildings dilapidated.
    “It is painful to note that a lot of communities in these areas lack basic infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, potable water and good school buildings.
    “This neglect was part of the reasons we embarked on a struggle before Governor Rocha Okorocha brokered peace,’’ Okorie said.

  • ‘Youths, develop your business skills’

    Youths’ ability to develop their entrepreneurial skills has been described as one of the factors that can reposition them for leadership.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Transportation and Construction Services Limited, Mr. Babagana Dalori who made this known in Abuja while receiving an award from the FCT branch of the Nigerian Youth Council of Nigeria, described a regenerated entrepreneurial drive among youths as a major tool to fight economic recession.

    Dalori urged youths to be willing to take risk as he did when the decided to venture into tricycle business with what he earned during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    While adding that the award would spur into doing more for the youth, he said his decision not to wait for white collar jobs has benefited thousands of young people in the country.

    “I am advising them even before they can graduate from their various tertiary institutions; they should have a plan B in case they did not get any white collar job. They can at least start something with their plan B before they can secure a job,” he said.

    The president of the FCT branch of NYCN, Solomon Imoiveghe said Dalori was honoured as the role model of the Nigeria youth because of his initiative to empowering the youth and taking them from employee to employers.

    He said youths can learn and look up to him as he is an epitome of a silent achiever, who was not born with a silver spoon but has forged a name for himself yet with little no attention.

  • Youths seek appointment of Imo representative on NDDC board

    Youths seek appointment of Imo representative on NDDC board

    Imo State youths have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint another state representative into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.

    They told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri the delay in appointing the representative amounted to injustice.

    NAN recalls that President Buhari appointed Senator Osita Izunaso, who is not from an oil-producing area, a board member, but he later resigned.

    Mr. Chigozie Ohiri, the president, Niger Delta Youth Movement, Imo State chapter, appealed to the president to appoint an indigene of oil-producing area into the board.

    He said the appointment of a representative of Ohaji/Egbema or Oguta Local Government, oil-producing areas, would give the people a sense of belonging.

    Ohiri complained that none of the N30 billion contracts the commission awarded was located in the two local governments.

    “Our investigation shows none of the 15 road contracts awarded by NDDC at the cost of over N30 billion is located in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta.

    “These are the two oil-bearing councils.

    “This is an abuse of NDDC intra-state sharing formula as enshrined in the act establishing the commission,’’ he said.

    Mr. Ozor Okorie said it was necessary for the President to appoint a representative from the oil-bearing part of the state into the board.

  • Youths burn lorry after crushing teenager to death

    Youths of Saint Saviour Street in Ikpoba-Okha local government area have set a tipper ablaze for crushing a five-year- old girl to death.
    The victim, Onyinye Chukwugbu, was crossing the road with her uncle from Saint Saviour Street to Upper Sokponba road when she was crushed.
    Her uncle, Emmanuel Okoye, said he had already stopped a bus to allow them cross but didn’t know where the tipper with full load of sand emerged from.
    Emmanuel said he didn’t see the driver after the accident.
    The disappearance of the driver made the youths set the tipper ablaze.
    As at press time, the body of the deceased has been removed by policemen from Ugbekun Police Division.

  • Avoid ungodly relationships, youths advised

    The Associate Pastor of Kingsword International Church Lekki Lagos, Oluyele Olubiyi, has advised Christian youths to shun all forms of ungodly relationship capable of distracting them from God’s purpose.

    Olubiyi spoke at a seminar by the Youth Fellowship of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Higher Ground Parish, Alakuko, Lagos.

    The event tagged Rethinking Relationship featured prayers, bible teachings, song rendition and networking session, among others.

    She lamented many youths have lost focus and purpose in life because of wrong relationships.

    Any relationship that does not have its root in Jesus Christ, she stated, is prone to abuse, heartache and disappointments.

    “We are not unwanted pregnancies. God was not distracted when we were conceived. So, we must involve God in all that we do, especially in the relationships that we keep.

    “We must love God and when we are in love with someone, we do all in our power to make them happy and fulfil their hearts’ desires. It’s God’s heart desire that we stay pure and remain a virgin till we get married.”

    Olubiyi advised young people confused and bound by pressure to do wrong: “You need to speak with someone. Don’t be ashamed. You are not the only one struggling to live a life of purity.”

    Staying sexually pure for Christian youths, she said, was not just an old time tale but God’s command.

    “You can decide to use your background as a reason to wallow in self pity and bad decisions or you can choose to make something good with your life. The choice is always with the individual,” she said.

  • BoI trains youths on tomato processing

    BoI trains youths on tomato processing

    In its determination to boost small and medium scale enterprises in the country, the Bank of Industry has organised workshop on tomato processing and packaging for Nigerian youths in Lagos and Kano.

    While declaring the workshop open in Lagos, the acting managing director of Bank of Industry, BoI, Waheed Olagunju said, in pursuit of the mandate of transforming industrial sector in Nigeria, the bank of industry has identified over 40 small and medium scale clusters that include food processing for strategic intervention.

    Olagunju who spoke through one the directors of the bank, Akinsola Adetokunbo stressed that, in the course of exploring the best strategy for BoI in tomato sector, the bank and its development partner identified a production method and sustainable equipment for the scale up of tomato processing by micro and small medium enterprises across the country.

    Olagunju observed that out of yearly 1.8 million tons of fresh tomato produce in Nigeria, over fifty percent of them are lost to poor storage, poor transportation and lack of processing facilities.

    He also noted that Nigeria tomato paste market that is now estimated $1.5billion by raw materials requirement council solely rely on importation, and therefore underscores the need for Nigeria to develop strategies of development tomato value chain, especially for the manufacturing of tomato juice, paste, cature, Perry and powder.

    The bank chief emphasised that at the end of the two-day training, participants that are certified to acquire tomato processing skills and subsequently, into entrepreneurship capacity training programme in the bank, will be funded in form of loans at a single digit, to cover the cost of equipment and work capital requirement of the proposed project.

    “In line with Nigeria revolution plan, one of the ten new crops identified by BoI for priority development under food processing cluster is tomato.

    “And because tomato contains a lot of liquid, they are highly perishable and therefore requires preservation in cold condition storage medium or processing into paste,” he said.

    Also speaking on the rationale behind the workshop, the facilitator and chief executive Beta Mark Production Company Limited, Duro Kuteyi said the manner at which tomato are being imported into Nigeria and the wastages sustained by tomato farmers in the country are enough reasons to be compassionate and develop strategies to process it to replace the foreign tomato paste imported into Nigerian market.

     

    …Partners Diamond Bank on micro loans to petty traders, farmers

    BoI has partnered Diamond Bank in providing soft loan to traders, artisans, cooperatives, youth and farmers across the country.

    The Acting Managing Director, BoI, Mr Waheed Olagunju, disclosed this at the launching of the programme in Lagos.

    Olagunju said the federal government introduced the scheme because of its passion for sustainable business growth and empowerment of micro-entrepreneurs. He explained that the scheme, tagged: Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the partnership would disburse N140 billion to micro-entrepreneurs.

    According to him, GEEP is one of the social intervention programmes of the federal government executed by the bank of Industry.

    He said that government seeks to promote financial inclusion and access to credit for 1.6 million market traders, artisans, cooperatives, youth and farmers through GEEP’s MarketMoni product, which is known as is a microcredit loan, easy to access between N10,000 to N100,000 and repayable in six months.

    He explained that the idea is to make the loan easily accessible and affordable to the beneficiaries provided the beneficiary has a Bank Verification Number (BVN) and belong to a market association. He further explained that the loan is affordable and without interest rate, except for administrative fee, which is five per cent flat.

    “That means, if you take N20, 000 loan you will repay N21, 000 at the end of six months. The beauty is that it is a weekly repayment so it is easy for the beneficiary,” he said.

    The BoI boss represented by Mrs. Toyin Adeniji, Executive Director, Financial Inclusion and Micro Enterprise, BoI, said the partnership was to enhance the participation of the informal sector in the banking sector.