Tag: Youths

SGF Visits Adamawa, Asks Youths To Shun Crime

A file photo of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

 

 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustafa, has called on youths in Adamawa State to be more committed to education, hard work, patriotism, and discipline to facilitate their success in life.

Mustafa made the call over the weekend in Yola while commissioning a computer centre, borehole, and empowerment scheme in Nasarawo Primary School located in Yola North Local Government Area of the state.

He appealed to the youths to shun all forms of vices and embrace the several opportunities available in the country to excel in any endeavour of their choice, instead of turning into a life of crime and social miscreants.

The SGF believes with education, the right attitude, and commitment to hard work, the youths can achieve their dreams in life.

Education has been described as the foundation for development in every society – a reason why it is being prioritised.

However, government schools that have produced most of the leaders in Nigeria have been abandoned as most people prefer to take their children to private schools.

This is because the schools are better equipped with modern educational facilities and well-paid teachers, at the instance of the government-owned schools.

As part of his efforts at giving back to the community and impacting on the less privileged, the SGF visited Adamawa for the inauguration function which he sponsored.

Mr Mustapha is a former student of Nasarawo Primary School while his father, Late Baba Wesley Mustafa, was the longest-serving headmaster of the school.

He commissioned the facilities in company with his old schoolmates, traditional leaders, and members of the Nassarawo communities among others.

The SGF assured the people of Nassarawo Ward and citizens of the state of his commitment to continue to contribute his quota in giving back to the society.

He also urged them to sustain the support to the Federal Government in its effort at transforming the country.

‘Underage’ Motorcycle Riders Threaten Nasarawa Traffic

Gunmen Kill 15, Injure 11 In Nasarawa Village Attack

 

Some youths in Nasarawa State have been engaging in commercial motorcycling to fend for themselves and augment family finances.

The greater part of these youngsters who are mostly viewed as inexperienced are viewed as the reason for accidents on the roads.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the rate of unemployment in Nasarawa is 27.4 per cent while underemployment rate is 24.3 per cent.

Despite the employment rate of 48.3 per cent, a number of young persons have been forced into embracing vocations considered not suitable for their ages.

The most noticeable is commercial motorcycling as the two-wheeled vehicle fills in as the commonest method for transportation.

This is often seen as most preferred by residents as it goes down the nooks and crannies with rates as low as N30.

Residents who are not car owners are left with two choices, the motorcycle or the tricycle with their destination determining their choice.

 

Threat Of Underage Riders

A cross-section of people who want to access a hard-to-reach area – in haste or desire to resist gridlock – simply hop on a motorcycle while those whose movements are within the city prefer to ride on tricycle.

Regardless of the worthiness and acceptability of the two-wheeled vehicle in the state, there are growing concerns over the expanding number of underage riders out and about.

In spite of this, motorcyclists have advanced a resistance over the menace, although they want the menace checked.

One of the commercial motorcyclists in the state, Ahmadu Ahmadu, shared his opinion in an interview with Channels Television.

He said, “Before a rider is registered, he should be assessed if he is suitable to ride or not. This shouldn’t be a difficult task for the concerned authorities.”

Some of the underage riders who spoke to Channels Television attributed their choice of livelihood to the absence of better options.

They, however, said they were willing to quit if provided a better means of bringing food to the table.

An underage rider, Muhammad Nura, said, “If we don’t do this business, we have a challenge because it is what we use to cater for ourselves and parents.”

Aliyu Musa also said, “it is my business; I grew up to it and If I don’t do it, I don’t have anything to do,” while another rider Aliyu Yusuf promised to quit the job if the government would cater for him.

This caught the attention of the government as the Secretary to the Government of the State, Tijjani Aliyu, gave assurance that there were plans to get young persons out of the streets.

“Very soon our incubation plant will be ready and we will use it for training our youth on various trades. We are making an effort to get them out of the streets,” he said.

The use of motorcycles for commercial transportation in the state was borne out of the necessity to fill the gap of inadequate transportation.

Yet, the attitude of these riders remains a source of worry to residents who believe the young persons are undermining such efforts.

Some of them believe the actualisation of the government’s youth empowerment plans will turn the attention of the underage riders to suitable opportunities and in turn minimise road accidents in the state.

Youths Shut Down Minna-Suleja Road, Protest Neglect By FG

 

Some youths in Niger State have shut down the Minna-Suleja Road to stage a protest.

The demonstrators stormed the road in large a number on Monday morning to protest what they called neglect by the Federal Government.

They accused the Federal Government of neglecting federal roads in Niger State and called on the President to come to their aid.

During the protest, some of the protesters dance to a song by hip hop singer Eedris Abdulkareem, in which he called the attention of the government to the plights of Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Kaduna LG Workers Receive N30,000 Minimum Wage

 

The protesters in one of their placards and banners called on President Muhammadu Buhari to save them.

According to them, people die every day in the state and Niger is part of Nigeria.

Some travellers on the Minna-Suleja Road were left stranded as a result of the protest.

However, officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrived at the scene to calm the protesters.

The Minna-Suleja Road connects Niger State to Abuja and generally links the north-west region of the country to the Federal Capital Territory.

International Youth Day: Gbajabiamila Seeks Transformation Of Educational System

 

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has urged governments at all levels to fashion out ways of transforming the Nigerian educational system to strengthen the capacity of the youth.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, in which he was commemorating the International Youth Day, the Speaker noted that the government has the primary responsibility of ensuring that every Nigerian is given access to basic and qualitative education.

According to him, the essence of education is to proffer solutions to challenges confronting humanity.

The Speaker further stated that democracy and good governance would thrive in an atmosphere where a sizeable proportion of the populace is educated and well enlightened about their civic responsibilities.

While assuring that the 9th House of Representatives under his leadership would prioritise issues concerning the education sector, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila emphasized that revamping the sector has become imperative.

The Speaker had in 2016 during his tenure as the House Majority Leader sponsored a bill to provide access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-free loans.

The Bill, which has been reintroduced in this Assembly and has gone through its first reading, proposes a Nigeria Education Bank, which will be established by law to provide education for all Nigerians without any discrimination.

He said: “As we celebrate the International Youth Day, I intend to use the office of the Speaker and the instrumentality of the law to fast-track the passage of this and others Bills that are capable of restoring hope to our youth to reposition them for the tasks of nation-building and global competitiveness.

“It is indisputable that the global economy is knowledge-driven, while the private sector has continued to play a leading and pivotal role in the economic development of states and nations.

“This is why we need to transform the Nigerian Educational System and why the youth should be encouraged to broaden their skills,” the Speaker said.
Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila added, “I wish all Nigerian youths a happy International Youth Day”.

Police Disrupt Protest By Jigawa Youths Over National Security

Police Disrupt Protest By Jigawa Youths Over National Security

 

The police have disrupted a peaceful protest organised by a group of youths in Jigawa State over the security situation in the country.

Chairman of the group – Concern Youth of Jigawa, Mr Umar Danjani, told reporters on Monday in Dutse that they had informed the Jigawa State Police Command before embarking on the demonstration.

He explained that the youths were disturbed by the rate of killings and kidnappings among other crimes in parts of the country.

READ ALSO: Osinbajo Asks Governors To Boost IGR To Reduce Poverty

According to Danjani, the level of insecurity in the country is in a sorry state and it is gradually flowing to Jigawa, hence the need to alert the state government before banditry overwhelms it.

Although the Commissioner of Police in the state confirmed the development, he defended the action of his men.

Mr Bala Zama explained that the letter submitted by the group was wrongly addressed to him in person and not the police.

He added that despite the error, he called the group for dialogue but ended in a deadlock.

The police commissioner said after proper investigation, the command realised that the group has not secured the venue they intended to use for the gathering.

He stressed that this prompted the police to deem it necessary to stop the youths from embarking on the demonstration.

”We have come to understand that the protest is politically motivated. One politician recently did a press conference in Kano and all that he said has similar content with the letter they sent to me,” Zama said.

“The protest ought to be in states where the insecurity is prevalent, not in Jigawa where it is relatively peaceful.”

Some armed men had attacked Garin Maidawa, a village in Dutse, the state capital on April 18.

The attack left one person killed and nine others hospitalised while the police said the assailants were armed robbers.

See photos below:

2019 Elections: Youths Are The Biggest Disappointment, Says Moghalu

The presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has taken a swipe at Nigerian youths for the role they played during the recently held general elections.

Moghalu, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, regretted that the young populations did not make their presence felt during the polls.

“The biggest disappointment was with the youths. The youth vote was absent. They make a lot of noise, they rant and rail but you will not see them on the voting day. And when they vote, they don’t vote in line with their rhetoric,” he said.

When asked if the polls witnessed improvement when compared to 2015, Moghalu noted that chaos marred some polling centres coupled with an alleged organisational efficiency and effectiveness shortly before the commencement of voting.

YPP presidential candidate, Professor Kingsley Moghalu speaks on the outcome of the 2019 general elections on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April 12, 2019.

“The organisational efficiency and effectiveness of the election was generally weak. We saw it. First, it was postponed at the last minute and in many parts of the country, there was chaos at the polling booths especially in rural areas.”

READ ALSO: 2019 Elections: Our Votes Were Stolen, Diverted And Suppressed – Moghalu

Reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the polls, he advised the current administration to justify the votes and work hard to restore Nigerians have reposed on the President.

In doing that, he wants the Federal Government to focus on three cores areas bordering on national unity, building a vibrant economy and the nation’s security.

Speaking on security, he decried the poor funding of the police, calling on the government to properly equip its personnel with the modern tools to properly secure lives and properties.

Moghalu, who is also an economist and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) however wants the complete removal of subsidy.

He also wants the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to be privatised because it “is not a very profitable corporation, it is not a transparent corporation.”

Asked if he would still throw in the hat for the 2023 presidential race, his response was “it’s too early to make that kind of decision.”

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the YPP candidate wants the presidency to be zoned to the south-east.

Youths Protest In Plateau, Other States, Demand Speakership For North-Central

 

Some youths in Plateau, Niger, and Nasarawa states have demanded that the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives be zoned to the north-central region of the country.

The youths made the demand in separate protests held on Monday in their respective states.

In Plateau, the demonstrators under the auspices of North-Central Concerned Youths held a peaceful protest in Jos, calling for the zoning of the speakership to the region for equity and justice.

READ ALSO: New Waves Of Cybercrime, Terrorism Threatening Positive Strides, Says Buhari

They gathered at the office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jos, carrying placards with various inscriptions.

The protesters stressed the role of the north-central region in the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and the performance of the party in the 2019 general elections.

They, therefore, called on the leadership of the APC to intervene and ensure that the region was not marginalised, regarding the leadership of the National Assembly.

A similar protest held in Minna, the Niger State capital where the youths accused the leadership of the party of a plot to marginalise the north-central.

The youths who carried placards with different inscriptions urged the President to intervene in the matter and ensure that the principle of Federal Character was observed.

They added that any attempt to deny the region from producing the Speaker for the ninth Assembly would not do good to the unity of the country.

Some youths in Nasarawa State also took to the streets of Lafia to demand that the north-central region be given the opportunity to lead the House of Representatives.

See photos below:

Pleateau State

Niger State

Nasarawa State

Buhari Celebrates Re-election With Youths From Campaign Council

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has hosted some youths from his campaign council to a dinner following his victory in the Presidential elections.

 

 

The private dinner took place at the banquet hall of the State House in Abuja on Wednesday evening, with the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, leading the group.

 

 

Speaking to Channels Television, the minister explained that the visit was a way of appreciating the efforts of the young people.

He also believes the invitation puts meaning to the Not Too Young To Run bill recently signed by the President while giving the youths a sense of ownership.

 

“The way to victory was littered with the sacrifices of so many young people and to appropriately call them to this place to have a short cocktail and a thank you meeting with them and I think that it would inspire those children in no small way.

“It’s a privilege to be in this place. Not many in their lifetime will ever get the privilege to enter into the villa and it puts meaning to the Not Too Young To Run bill that the president signed and the commitment to developing Nigeria from the base right through to the top and to build a country where everybody feels a sense of ownership and through these young people, there’s so many other people in the various states and local governments but I think through these privileged few, so many of them will feel this sense of ownership that this country truly belongs to them and there’s a place for everybody”.

Elections: DSS Warns Politicians, Youths To Shun Violence

Elections: DSS Warns Politicians, Youths To Shun Violence

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned politicians and youths to flee from violent related activities in the country.

The agency gave the warning in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Peter Afunanya, on Monday, less than one week to the elections.

“Politicians and the youth are expected to shun all acts of violence the same way observers are urged to keep to the fundamentals and principles of election monitoring as allowed by law and global best practice,” Afunanya said.

He added, “Without doubt, the Electoral Act is clear on the roles of stakeholders.”

The DSS spokesman, however, urged all stakeholders including politicians, voters, and observers among others to be law abiding and observe the rules of engagement.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram: PDP Berates FG As APC Insists Insurgents ‘Have Been Caged’

He explained that doing so was relevant to the success of the exercise while the Service would commit itself to the provision of adequate security throughout the period of the electoral process.

“The common aim of all and sundry should be for Nigeria to hold successful elections that will be adjudged free, fair, transparent and credible and accepted nationally and internationally,” Afunanya said.

He added, “Everyone is urged to conduct themselves properly before, during and after the elections and avoid actions that may cause breakdown of law and order.

“On its part, the DSS will professionally discharge its statutory mandate which, among others, is to detect and prevent threats and crimes against the internal security of Nigeria.”

The DSS spokesman added that the Service would engage stakeholders appropriately in a bid to ensure the protection and success of the elections.

He stressed that ensuring security that would make the electoral process acceptable to participants and their supporters was important to the Service.

In this regard, Afunanya said the DSS was determined to identify and arrest criminals and their collaborators whose activities oppose the objective of achieving peaceful and orderly elections.

He, thereafter, warned that the Service would not condone fake news, incendiary or hate speeches aimed at whipping up dangerous ethnic, religious, and political sentiments capable of promoting violence.

“Prospective lawbreakers are forewarned to steer clear of acts capable of undermining national security and stability,” Afunanya said.

“The Service will, however, not stand idly and watch miscreants and mischief makers bring avoidable chaos and disorder upon the nation.”

The DSS spokesman urged Nigerians to support the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct violence-free elections.

He also them to promptly provide the agencies with information regarding suspected thuggery, theft of electoral materials, and violence of any kind that can bring the nation’s democratic journey to question.

Afunanya said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the following telephone lines and e-mail address (07055655591; 09030002189 and [email protected]) can be used to reach the Service during the period under reference.”

#2019Elections: ‘Not Voting Is Not An Option’, Saraki Tells Youths

#2019Elections: ‘Not Voting Is Not An Option’, Saraki Tells Youths

 

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on youths across the country to ensure they go to the various polling units where they registered and cast their vote.

He made the call in a short video clip on his twitter handle on Sunday, less than one week to the general elections.

Saraki, who is also the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, urged the youths not to consider ignoring the polls as an option.

“This message is to our youths. With over 40 per cent of registered voters, you can decide the direction of our country through your votes,” he said.

The Senate President added, “You may not be entirely satisfied with the political process, but not voting is not an option.”

READ ALSO: No Names Of Alleged Corrupt Contractors From Our Record, Fashola Tells SERAP

In the one minute 25 seconds video, he commended the youths for collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Saraki, however, insisted that it was important to vote in the elections, noting that they have the major role to play in deciding the future of the country.

He said, “You have started the process by collecting your PVCs, you must follow through and vote next Saturday.

“Today, all over the world, your generation decides who leads their various countries; Nigeria must not be different. You guys are hardworking, innovative and patriotic, so you must play a role in deciding who leads us for the next four years.”

“Come Saturday, February 16, you must come out en mass and vote. To sit at home is not an option. You have a big say in your future only if you vote,” the lawmaker insisted.

On the purported reports that the elections might be rigged, he explained that that could only happen when electorates don’t show up at the polling units.

Sakari also used the opportunity to seek support for the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Peter Obi.

According to him, the duo would provide larger youth participation in governance, as well as get the economy working and provide jobs for the youths if elected in the coming polls.

Watch the video below;

Properties Destroyed As Oguta Youths Clash With Police In Imo

 

There was an outburst of anger when youths of Osemotto community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State set three police vehicles and a bulldozer ablaze following a clash between them and policemen.

The clash follows a report that a court bailiff and some police officers demolished the house of the former Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) and a House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Henry Okafor.

Okafor’s house was reportedly demolished in line with a supreme court order.

An eyewitness told Channels Television that a man who claimed to be a court bailiff and about 20 policemen came in about 3 trucks fully armed with a bulldozer claimed to have got a Supreme Court order to demolish the building.

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Reacting to the development, Mr Henry Okafor while speaking to newsmen denied knowledge of any court judgment because neither the police nor the court bailiff failed to show him any court judgment ordering the demolition.

“The issue here is that my property has been destroyed and it was led by the police and the people that destroyed it. And I rescued those policemen, those whose guns were collected, I had to fight and returned it to them. Those who would have been killed, I rescued them irrespective of the fact that they damaged my property.

“So I think it is the police who should tell me who have asked them to come and damage my property. So Nigeria Police destroyed my property, they know their collaborators. So if there is any court order at all, it is a mistake of identity, the execution was done in the wrong place,” he stated.

See photos below:

‘Youths Are The Active Breadwinners Of Nigeria’ – Ajimobi

 

Florence Ajimobi, the wife of Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has described the youths as the active breadwinners of the nation.

She stated this on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, youths and women constitute nothing less than 75 per cent of the critical mass required to successfully prosecute our re-election bid. They are the young blood of our country and the active breadwinners of our nation.”

The First Lady believes that the youths and women play a crucial role in the re-election bid of the President.

According to her, they cannot be ignored in ensuring the party’s victory in the general elections that are a few weeks away.

“Consequently, this critical mass cannot be underestimated in our quest as a party to take the country to a next level,” she stated.

She stated that the current administration has done quite a lot to handle the welfare of the young people since its inception in 2015.

Ajimobi explained that under the N-Power scheme, President Buhari’s government has gainfully employed over 500,000 youths in parts of the country.

In food production, she noted that the Anchors Borrowers programme of the Federal Government has succeeded in boosting various agricultural enterprises across the federation.

With the presidential election that is about a month away, Mrs Ajimobi appealed to the young people to vote for the ruling party for the re-election of President Buhari.