Tag: Youths

Reps Determined To Resolve ASUU Issues, Empower Youths – Gbajabiamila

(File Photo) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fem Gbajabiamila.

 

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the parliament is determined to resolve the issues facing the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Gbajabiamila disclosed this on Wednesday when he met with a group of young lawmakers from the House under the aegis of ‘Young Parliamentarians Forum’ of the National Assembly in his office.

According to him, some of the demands of the youths following the EndSARS protests would be addressed constitutionally.

“We are determined to resolve the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) matter, and if we can resolve two out of three issues, I think we would have gone a long way to help the lecturers who are on strike,” Gbajabiamila was quoted as saying according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi.

“There’s a bill on vocational education, I think from the 8th Assembly that was even my bill. We’ll pick it up again and pass it to you (Young Parliamentarians Group) to polish it up and add it to whatever ideas you have.”

On youth empowerment, Gbajabiamila said: “This government has done a lot about youth empowerment and is ready to do more. We can never be bereft of ideas.

“If you have anything that we need to look at, the House is willing and ready to add to those ideas. We will be happy to accelerate bills on youth development.”

Speaking on police reforms, the Speaker called for more reformed police that will serve Nigerians better.

He explained that the parliament was liaising with the Nigeria Bar Association in achieving the target of 30 days.

“We gave ourselves 30 days, and since then, we’ve been working night and day, especially with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

“We thought the best way to go about it is that we amend the Police Service Commission Act, and that has been done and the report has been concluded and soon, it will be published and be on the floor,” he added.

Oyo State Govt Orders Employment of 5,000 Youths, Earmarks N500m For MSMEs

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde

 

The Oyo State government has ordered the employment of 5,000 youths in the state into various government agencies.

The state governor, Seyi Makinde made this announcement on Monday during a stakeholder meeting with traditional rulers, security chiefs, religious leaders, and chairmen of the 68 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.

He said the 5,000 youths will be employed across the state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies including OSRMA and OYOWMA.

“I have directed the employment of 5,000 young persons across all government agencies over the next few months.

“We have been talking to Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OSRMA), Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA), before now. We have been talking to AMOTEKUN. We have to, immediately, wrap some of those recruitments up and put these people off the street. The criteria for employment and the dates for assessment will be announced by the agency authorities,” Makinde said at the meeting.

The sum of N1billion has also been earmarked by the state government as compensation for victims of police brutality and injustice and a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) scheme, for youths.

The package includes an initial deposit of N500 million for MSMEs and another N500 million as compensation to victims of police brutality and injustice.

“Let me also state that we have set up an initial Five Hundred Million Naira (N500million) Compensation Fund for victims of injustice. So, I encourage everyone who has suffered any form of injustice in the past or as a result of the #EndSARS protests, to please take advantage of the platforms we have provided to log their cases. We have an email service and a direct reporting portal on the Oyo State Government website. A judicial panel for Oyo State will be inaugurated in the next one week to look into cases of injustice.

“We have taken the immediate actions to address some of the issues raised by the youths during the protest: I have directed that a 500 Million Naira MSME fund be set up. This fund will be disbursed to youths who have bright entrepreneurial ideas that will provide further employment and improve the economic landscape in Oyo State,” Makinde added.

Stakeholders at the meeting with the governor include the Olubadan of Ibadanland,  Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso1; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, and other traditional rulers across the state; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Kwara and Delta States, Alhaji Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola; the State’s Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Joshua Akinyemi; the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Leye Oyebade,  and Service Commanders in the State.

 

#ENDSARS Protesters Hit Ojodu Berger Roads, Insist No Going Back

 

A large crowd of youths have hit the streets of the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos State to demand an end to police brutality.

The protest, which is part of the #ENDSARS demonstration ongoing in other parts of the state, held on Saturday.

A sizeable number of protesters were seen marching towards the entry points into Lagos, chanting various solidarity songs.

They comprise young Nigerians from various walks of life, including a commercial tricycle rider who branded his trike ‘END SARS’

The protesters proceeded to the New Garage end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

This has led to a gridlock on the inbound and outbound sections of the highway, leaving travellers and motorists stranded for hours.

A combination of photos of the scenes of the #ENDSARS protest held in the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos State on October 17, 2020.

 

It is more than a week since the #ENDSARS protests started with the population of protesters increasing by the day and spreading to more locations not just in Lagos, but across the country.

While some political, traditional, and religious leaders have shown their support for the protesting youths, others urged them to sheath their swords.

The protesters have, however, insisted that they would not back down as their demands were beyond the call for an end to police brutality.

They are also calling for a total reform of the police and good governance, among other demands.

Youths Protest Against Insecurity, Bad Roads And Epileptic Power Supply In Northern States

 

Youths in Bauchi and Niger states under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) staged a protest on Thursday morning to demand an end to insecurity, poor road infrastructure, and epileptic power supply in the north.

They believe the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team is in a better position to tackle various forms of security threats such as killings, banditry, kidnapping, rape, and including the terrorist group’ Boko Haram’ in the region if they are fully equipped and trained.

The youths in Niger state also decried the poor condition of road infrastructures in the state, which they describe as death traps .

READ ALSO: #EndSWAT Protesters Storm National Assembly

“This peaceful protest is not against any movement, it is not against any government, we are here to only show our grievances that as Nigerians we are not enjoying what we should enjoy’’ they noted.

They urged the Federal government to fix all its roads and address the issue of power supply in the entire northern states.

They explained that the empowerment of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit is a welcome idea but that what is most important is for security to be boosted in the northern region.

They also made stops at the police headquarters and government house to press home their demands.

‘I Shall Continue To Offer My Shoulders For You To Climb,’ Atiku Tells Nigerian Youths

Supreme Court To Hear Atiku's Appeal August 20
A file photo of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

 

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has assured Nigerian youths of his commitment to supporting them at all times. 

Atiku gave the assurance on Wednesday in a message to mark the 21st anniversary of the International Youth Day (IYD).

“I shall stay the course and continue to offer my shoulders for you all to climb because as youths, you are Leaders of Today,” he said.

READ ALSO: EFCC Arrests 32 ‘Yahoo Boys,’ Seize 12 Cars In Oyo

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hailed Nigerian youths for their doggedness and drive towards a better nation, saying this year’s theme, “Youth Engagement for Global Action,” captures how important young people are in the scheme of things.

“I salute the Nigerian youth in particular for their commitment and perseverance towards the attainment of a greater Nigeria,” Atiku added.

“This global picture, which has been on my mind, informed my decision of 40% youth inclusion in my 2019 presidential campaign; a promise I am committed to keeping for the futuristic benefit of our great Nation.”

 

A file photo of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Photo: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

 

 

He explained that with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, youths have a huge responsibility in fighting the disease as the future of humanity rests on their shoulders.

“Indeed, the survival of humanity rests largely on the shoulders of the youths, as vigour is required to wear out this plague,” the former vice president explained.

“The vigour and spirit that you embody as youth will play a crucial role in the socio-economic survival of the world, and its rejuvenation, post-COVID19.”

 

As future leaders, Atiku called on young people to preach and embrace peace, show patriotism, shun nepotism and promote competence.

“Only then can we truly have the Nigeria of our dream,” he said.

According to the United Nations (UN), the 2020 International Youth Day theme is to buttress the “ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.”

Killings: Benue Youths Accuse Police Of Bias

A photo showing the map of Benue, a state in North-Central Nigeria.
An image showing the map of Benue, a state in North-Central Nigeria.

 

The youths in Benue State have accused the Nigeria Police of bias over the killing of seven persons in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

This comes a week after the Defence headquarters in a statement confirmed the attack, renewing calls for the designation of armed herdsmen as a terrorist group.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Monday, President of the Benue Youth Forum, Terrence Kuanum, expressed the forum’s concerns over attempts to change the narrative and blame victims of the attack for killing themselves.

Kuanam noted that the reaction of the police authorities is in support of the herdsmen who have allegedly threatened to destabilise the state in the wake of the law banning open grazing of animals.

But reacting to the allegation, spokesman of the State Police Command, Sewuese Anene, said that hired gunmen were responsible for the killing.

Anene said the development is related to a mining field dispute between two brothers, leading to the attack after one of them was paid compensation by a mining company in Cheme village in Logo LGA.

Border Closure: Police Intercept Truckload Of Youths In Lagos

 

The police have intercepted a truckload of youths said to be from different parts of the north at the border between Lagos and Ogun states.

According to the police, the arrest was made following an intelligence report that the truck laden with tomatoes which was Lagos-bound, was also carrying a large number of young men.

The youths who appeared to be in their 20s and 30s were ordered to disembark from the truck, as the police said they would be taken to the task force office for further investigation.

There had been several cases of security personnel intercepting trucks carrying young men headed for the south mostly from the northern part of the country.

As a result of the development, many have raised concerns about the continued violation of the order restricting inter-state travel, as part of the measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

We Will Defend Our Youths Against Rape, Domestic Violence – Minister

A file photo of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare.

 

 

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has condemned the rise in the incidents of rape and gender-based violence in the country.

He also voiced his support for victims and survivors of such crimes, describing rape as “a brutal crime that attacks the mind, body, and soul.”

“The youth are the greatest victims of rape and we condemn this inhumane act in the strongest terms. We will join the vanguard against rape and ask for the stiffest penalty possible,” he said in a statement from his media office.

According to the minister, such acts must not be allowed to continue to take root in the Nigerian society and the ministry will champion the fight against the dastardly act as prescribed in the National Youth Policy.

“No Nigerian, whether male or female, should be discriminated against or made a victim anywhere in this country; we must unite to fight against rape in all forms,” he said.

Dare added, “All Nigerian youth must take the responsibility to be on the lookout for their female counterparts and offer them protection. Stigmatising victims must be stopped and completely outlawed.

“I am totally against a mindset that first, makes women victims, and then moves on to compound their suffering by blaming the survivor for the evil that has been inflicted upon her.”

He believes when people blame an individual for being raped, it discourages others from speaking out because each survivor and their families are afraid that they will be blamed and labelled for what happened to them.

The minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his resolute stand against rape, and the Minister for Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, for leading the charge.

“We shall stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this struggle, ” he said.

Dare, therefore, called on the Nigeria Police to review their methods of investigating cases of gender-based violence and rape with the objective of solving them with minimal pain to the survivors.

He also challenged civil organisations to deploy the use of technology to support their work against the social menace, adding that policymakers should be fearless and make laws that would deter future offenders.

Cross River Youths Protest Alleged Killing Of Colleague

 

Cross River youths have protested the alleged killing of their colleague, Archibong Effiong-Archibong in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.

The youths who stormed Calabar, the state capital on Friday accused a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Speaking to Channels Television, an eye witness said the incident happened at Ekprikang community in Bakassi while some people were trying to struggle over a gallon of fuel.

According to him, the NSCDC officials demanded money from the youths in other to allow them to operate their fuel business in the area but the youths refused.

“The NSCDC personnel demanded money from us to allow us operate on our fuel business and we said we don’t have.

“When we said we don’t have money to give them, they now opened fire on us and in the process, one of our colleague who is also an electrician was shot dead,” he said.

READ ALSO: Lagos Approves Prince Gbolahan Lawal As New Oniru Of Iruland

One of the protesters and a Youth Leader of Bakassi, Mr Eyo Asuquo-Etim, said they want the state and Federal Government to take care of the family of the deceased who left behind four children.

Reacting to the allegation, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Danjuma Elisha, said the youths were trying to smuggle fuel to Cameroon through the Bakassi border post when the incident happened.

Elisha noted that he had to dispatch a team of NSCDC personnel to stop them in order not enter Cameroon and in the process be infected with COVID-19.

“We had a tip off that they the youths were taking fuel to Cameroon and we had to move in to stop them.

“We parked the gallons of fuel into our vehicle and the youths were resisting because they said we have come to distract their source of income.

“In the process, they starting calling out their boys in their numbers to come out. I’m not sure if the person that was reported dead was shot by our men because all the personnel that were there said they never shot a single bullet,” he said.

The NSCDC boss also accused the youths of burning down the operational vehicle of the corps as well as the office command in Bakassi.

He however noted that investigation has commenced into the incident, stressing that the riffles and ammunition of his men were intact upon check.

PHOTOS: Youths Protest In Abuja, Condemn Sexual Violence

Protesters hold placards and banners in Abuja to raise awareness about sexual violence in Nigeria on June 5, 2020. Photo: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

 

 

A group of youths under the aegis of Coalition for the fight against Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) launched a campaign on Friday against rape and other forms of sexual violence.

The youths, during a protest in Abuja, called for a systemic action against the recent rise in cases of sexual and gender-based violence in parts of the country.

The protesters who were also at the Force Headquarters in the nation’s capital asked citizens to challenge their legislators on what was being done to protect women and girls.

They, however, said they were working with some lawmakers for urgent legislative action.

See the photos below:

Youths protest in Abuja to raise awareness about sexual violence in Nigeria on June 5, 2020. Photos: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

 

PHOTOS: South West Youths, Local Hunters, Others Rally In Support Of Amotekun

Youths, local hunters, community leaders and other concerned groups in the South-West region on Tuesday trooped out in support of the establishment of the security task force code-named Amotekun.

The security task force was recently launched by the six South-West governors with the aim of tackling kidnapping, banditry and other crimes in the region.

The peaceful rally by the youths follows Federal Government’s declaration that the operation is illegal and “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has established the Army, Navy, and Airforce, including the Police and other numerous paramilitary organisations for the purpose of the defence of Nigeria”

 

ONDO

In reaction to this pronouncement and in support of the security outfit, youths in Akure, Ondo State state capital held a peaceful rally. They insisted that the security outfit has come to stay.

 

 

OGUN

In Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, youths under the auspices of the Yoruba World Congress (YWC) held a peaceful rally at the popular Panseke market.

The group expressed support for the southwest governors, saying that the security outfit is to complement the effort of security agencies and not to rival it.

 

 

OYO

In Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, the Yoruba World Congress staged a peaceful rally at the Government House Arcade in Agodi.

Members of the civil society and vigilante groups at the rally chanted solidarity songs and slogans in support of the security outfit.

 

 

EKITI

Also in Ekiti State, a coalition of groups comprising socio-cultural organisations, Ekiti State Council of Elders, vigilante groups and youths held a rally.

They insisted that Amotekun is complementary to the existing conventional security outfits and urged the Federal government to support it.

The representative of the Ekiti State government at the rally also justified the creation of the security outfit by the south-west governors noting that they have simply danced to the tune of the people.

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.