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Int’l Youth Day: CSO urges FG to establish “education fund” for youth soldiers

Int’l Youth Day: CSO urges FG to establish “education fund” for youth soldiers

By Emmanuel Afonne
Fund
Abuja, Aug. 12, 2019 (NAN) A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative has urged the Federal Government to establish “education fund” to carter for the families of the country’s fallen heroes who are mostly youths.

Mr Solomon Adodo, the National Coordinator of the group, made the call in Abuja on Monday during a news conference to mark the 2019 International Youth Day.

Adodo while commending the Army hierarchy for prioritising the welfare of its troops at the war theatre, explained that the group chose to celebrate the nation’s fallen heroes at this time because of the ultimate price they paid to keep the nation united.

He pleaded with the government to ensure that the education of the children of the dead soldiers were paramount going by the theme of this year’s celebration, which is “Transforming education”.

“The Nigerian youth have proven over time to be brave and patriotic and the least the nation can do in appreciation is not to allow their dreams perish with them.

“More than 80 per cent of soldiers that have lost their lives fighting insurgents and other criminal elements are youths and these youths have wives and children.

“One of the ways the federal government can show appreciation for the ultimate price paid by these heroes is to float a fund that will see to the education and welfare of the deceased families.

“We acknowledge that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has taken initiative to ensure that troops are properly cared for.

“We are also aware that he has consistently extended a hand of fellowship to families of slain soldiers as well as given proper medical attention to wounded soldiers both home and abroad as the case demands.

“This is indeed a feat not just worth commending but worthy of full patriotic support,” Adodo said.

According to him, the youths have consistently sacrificed for the peace and unity of the nation and that it is high time the nation reciprocate this gesture.

“We herein appeal to the federal government to pay particular attention to the needs of the Nigerian Army and other security outfits for their arduous efforts in maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

“In view of the complexities involved in fighting insurgency, we use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians to be conscious of the comments they make about our Military and security agencies bearing in mind that whatever is said would either encourage or dampen the morale of the troops.

“All that we ought to do at this point in time is to show solidarity with our troops to completely flush out terrorists and other criminal elements in our country for the good of all.

“The Nigerian Military has recorded tremendous success and much more can be achieved with our renewed support,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations (UN) has mapped out Aug. 12 every year to recognise efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society.

The UN also aimed to use the day to promote ways to engage the youth in making positive contributions to their communities especially as it concerns making education more inclusive and accessible for all youths. (NAN)
EMAF/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Metro

Create opportunities for entrepreneurial skills in young people – ILO tells Nigeria

Skills
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Aug. 2, 2019 (NAN) The International Labour Organisation (ILO), on Friday urged Nigerian Government to create opportunities for entrepreneurial skills development to enable young persons meet challenges of unemployment.

Its Director General, Mr Guy Ryder, in a news conference in Abuja, said that the measure was necessary in view of the growing number of young people lacking the needed skills to meet up with the challenge of emerging labour markets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Ryder was answering questions following his two days visit to the country, on the sidelines of the Global Youth Employment Forum in Abuja.

According to him, education plays a major role in providing the skills gap perceived as promoting unemployable status in the youths.

Ryder said that it was worrisome to note that poor education was one of the factors fueling child labour in countries, calling for massive investments to ensure that children had the needed skills to compete with their peers globally.

“There is need for policy and investment in education and skills; we must provide young people with those that our labour markets really need.

“We talk frequently about the mismatch between the skills on offer and the skills that are needed. We need to do much better, and we need to make learning a lifelong process.

“Another area of action is active labour market policies; this can vary from employment service provisions, to wage subsidies and employment intensive investments all of which can ease the transition of young people from education into employment.

“These are the policies that allow the integration of young people into the labour market; we have to promote youth entrepreneurship and self-employment to harness the extraordinary energy and talents of our young people.”

He said that the conversations that the organisation has had with some of its social partners with the Nigerian government had confirmed that with population growth daily, efforts must be made to create enough jobs to address unemployment.

He added that there was the need to improve the ease of doing business, improve the regulatory environment and develop infrastructure to encourage private sector partnerships.

The director general said that ILO had adopted its Call for Action on Youth Employment which sets out five areas of action of pro-employment macroeconomic policies that enable job creation among youth.

He stressed the need for inter-sectoral collaboration between ministries of labour, the central bank, the ministries of planning, finance and industries towards creating an enabling environment to meet challenges of youth unemployment.

Ryder also called on government to be aware of, and respect the rights of young people, noting that young people were workers like any other and their rights needed to be promoted and respected in that regard.

On Nigeria’s minimum wage impasse, Ryder said that it should take into account the basic needs of families and the real productive capacities of economies.

NAN quotes the ILO as saying that globally, 255 million young people are not in employment, or in education or training.

It states that 136 million young people are working in extremely hard conditions, and yet they are still living in poverty.

The ILO says such conditions falls short of the ILO’s ambition of decent work for all. (NAN)
TAK/BOLA/ETS
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin and Ephraims Sheyin

Metro

FG lifts 5m Nigerians out of extreme poverty in 3 years – Presidency

Poverty
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Aug. 1, 2019 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari, says the Federal Government’s introduced National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), has in three years, lifted no fewer than 5 million Nigerians out of extreme poverty..

Buhari said this at the opening of the Global Youth Employment Forum of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that the forum was an opportunity for young persons to address the challenges of national economic stability.

Represented by Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Buhari commended the ILO for committing itself to youth employment.

He noted that the Federal Government had an in-depth understanding of the rapidly changing demographics and the emerging world of work.

“We note at this point that the issue of youth unemployment has assumed a global significant, and on the front burner of development discourse.

“The government of Nigeria understands the need to focus attention on youth empowerment by creating the enabling environment for job opportunities and capacity building.

“The present administration from the onset, made the investment in our people, one of the key goals of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, which is the national development blueprint from the period of 2017 to 2020.

“The implementation of the plan also has the flagship programme such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

“It has yielded some measurable outcomes in the form of increased school enrolment and the creation of more jobs.

“One of the key components of the NSIP is the N-Power programme and its sub-components has led to the creation of job opportunities in different sectors of the economy for young persons.

“For example, in the past three years, the programme has yielded over 2 million direct and indirect employment opportunities and has lifted over 5 million Nigerians out of extreme poverty,

“In addition to this achievement, some sectors of the economy with high propensity for massive job creation and employment generation were specifically target by the government for various forms of support.’’

Buhari noted that these sectors included agriculture, solid minerals, power, works and housing, trade and investment, and also in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The president said some programmes of the federal government were also targeted at the informal sectors, improving their capacity and boosting the domestic economy, such as the import restriction the executive order on ease of doing business.

The ILO Director General, Mr Guy Ryder, called on governments and the social partners to foster pro-employment growth and decent job creation through macroeconomic policies.

According to him, with right macro-economic policies in place, it will promote youth employability, youth entrepreneurship and rights to tackle the social consequences of youth unemployment.

“There is the need to promote macroeconomic policies and fiscal incentives that support employment and stronger aggregate demand, improve access to finance and increase productive investment, taking account of different economic situations in countries.’’

He recalled that at its 101st International Labour Conference in June 2012, the ILO adopted a Resolution calling for immediate, targeted and renewed action to tackle the youth employment crisis.

NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said the event was an opportunity to cross-fertilise ideas in addressing the global challenge of unemployment and under-employment.

He said that young persons have the potential to contribute positively to national development, stressing the hope that the forum would seek out solutions to the fundamental issues fueling the challenge of work.

Earlier, Mr Williams Alo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the forum reminded all countries to do things differently, saying Nigeria could not continue to do things differently  and expected a positive change.

“After three years of rising unemployment rates, the ILO 2018 World Employment Social Outlook forecast a slight drop in global unemployment rate from 5.6 per cent in 2017 to 5.5 per cent in 2018.

“However, with ever increasing number of person entering into the labour market to seek employment, youth continue to face substantially worse labour market conditions that their adult counterparts,’’  he said. (NAN)
TAK/KOO/AFA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Felix Ajide

Health

Ilorin youth group hails Buhari over UITH boss appointment

Ilorin youth group hails Buhari over UITH boss appointment
By Usman Aliyu
Appointment
Ilorin, June 28, 2018 (NAN) The Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing an indigene of the Emirate as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).
The association gave the commendation in a statement signed by its President, Alhaji Salaudeen Babatunde, and Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Uthman Jagunma, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ilorin.
NAN recalls that Buhari had on June 19 approved the appointment of Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf as the new CMD of UITH.
His appointment came barely three months after the expiration of erstwhile CMD, Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, who bowed out of office in March 2018.
The statement noted that the youth of the emirate were delighted that Buhari and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, acceded to the association’s request that an indigene be appointed.
The group pledged its continuing support for the success of the Buhari administration.
The association had in a letter written to the president requested for the appointment of an indigene of the community as the new boss of the UITH. (NAN)
AUO/JEO/MST
Edited by Janefrances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Skills acquisition: Adamawa Govt targets 100,000 unemployed youths

Skills acquisition: Adamawa Govt targets 100,000 unemployed youths
NAN-HG-7
Youths
Yola, Feb. 23, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa says his administration is targeting over 100,000 unemployed youths to be trained at various skills acquisition centres in the state.
Bindow disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of 300 graduates of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme by Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in Yola on Friday.
He noted that one of the cardinal objectives of his administration was empowering women and youths for sustainable development.
“We are targeting about 100,000 unemployed youths across the state who will be trained in different skills acquisition,” Bindow said.
He said that the aim of the programme was to reduce poverty among youths of the state.
The governor thanked the Federal Government for the training intervention, adding that doors are open for any meaningful collaboration.
The Director-General of ITF, Mr Josep[h Ari, who was represented by Alhaji Ishaq Shehu, Coordinator in charge of Adamawa, said that the programme was federal government’s effort through its policy of job creation and poverty reduction.
“This programme is the result of the committed efforts of the ITF in line with Federal Government’s policy of job/wealth creation and poverty reduction.
“By equipping as many youths as possible with skills for employ-ability and entrepreneurship,” Ari said.
According to him, ITF has taken steps from merely training to equipping the youth with knowledge, skills and providing them with start-up packs to enable them set up their businesses.
He said that the programme would benefit over 11,000 trainees across the 36 states of the federation.
He said the graduates received three months training in three trade fields, including tailoring/fashion design, welding and fabrication as well as plumbing and pipe fitting. (NAN)
AMA/IFY/MST
Edited by Ify Omowole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Council urges youths to disregard plan to divide Nigeria

Council urges youths to disregard plan to divide Nigeria

NAN-H-47
Youths
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, June 26, 2017(NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria has called on youths to disregard any act designed to promote disunity and division of the country.

The council gave the advice in a statement jointly signed by Mr Adedotun Omoleye and  Mr Obinna Nwaka, Director and Deputy Directors in charge of political and democratic matters of the council.

The council said that it was not in support of the recent proclamation of a quit notice to Igbos in the Northern part of the country by a coalition of some Northern youths.

A coalition of Northern youths on June 6, issued a deadline to the Igbos in the Northern part of the country to vacate the region before October 1.

The quit notice, had elicited several condemnable reactions from Nigerians, with the Federal Government re-stating the indivisibility of the country.

Government through the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo maintained that the unity of the country could not be compromised.

The council said it was interested in the well being, safety and interest of every Nigeria youth hence it was against the notice.

It said its primary role was to bring Nigerian youths together to help promote peace and unity in the country.

The council said it was vigorously pursuing the unity of the country regardless of tribe and religion.

It called on the promoters of the quit notice to desist from such unpatriotic act, noting that such tendency was capable of instigating crisis in the country.

“ We  implore those pulling strings from behind to desist from such act as such actions could further deteriorate the peace and unity of our beloved country,’’ it said.

The council also advised the youths to ignore the purported statement and desist from supporting any politician or business man canvassing support for the quit notice.

It urged security agencies arrest and prosecute persons responsible for such act without further delay in the interest of national unity and peace.

The council called for speedy implementation of  the budget  to enhance  service delivery and creation of  jobs for the  teeming unemployed youths.

It commended the acting President for his role at re-affirming the unity of Nigeria and his swift response to the mayhem in Taraba. (NAN)
KC/JPE/AFA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Felix Ajide

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General news

National Youth Council begins formation of anti-corruption clubs in schools

National Youth Council begins formation of anti-corruption clubs in schools

NAN-H-26

Corruption

By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, May 13, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) says it has started to establish anti-corruption clubs in schools across the country in order to imbibe anti-corruption awareness on Nigerian youths early in life .

The National President of the Council, Mr Muritala Garba, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

Garba said that the clubs were being established in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to create awareness on the dangers of corruption.

“We have a Directorate of Youth and Students that is going round all the higher institutions, organising anti -corruption clubs for students.’’

According to him, the anti-corruption programme is tagged “Catch Them Young.’’

Garba said that the reason for initiating the programme was to make the youths imbibe right ethics, values and ultimately become anti-corruption agents before graduating from higher institutions.

He commended the Federal Government’s anti-corruption measures, noting that corruption remained the greatest challenge of Nigeria.

“ We want government to fight corruption the more because that is the root cause of all the challenges we are facing now,’’ he said.

Garba advised Nigerian youths to avoid acts capable of portraying them in bad image, stressing that they should always strive to be productive and tolerant.
He said that the current executive of the NYCN was working hard to make government at all levels give priority to youth empowerment. (NAN)

KC/ACO/OU
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Edited by Abiodun Oluleye/Obike Ukoh
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General news

Employ skilled youths, NEPAD tasks private sector

Employ skilled youths, NEPAD tasks private sector

NAN-H-105

Employment

By Lizzy Okoji

Abuja, March 1, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Gloria Akobundu, the National Coordinator, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), has called on the private sector to employ beneficiaries of its skills acquisition training.

She made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to her, NEPAD Nigeria is making plans to give the data of youths who have passed through its skills training programmes to private companies and investors in Nigeria for job opportunities.

“We are planning to partner with the private sector, the Chambers of Commerce, to come up with a programme where we will give the data of all the trained youths to private sectors and investors in Nigeria.

“This is for them to make available job opportunities at their various companies so that the youths are not just trained and go back home to sit idle.

“That has been the challenge of other training programmes when youths are trained and left on their own.

“We want to make our youths employable because the complaint by most private sectors and investors are that Nigerian Youths are not employable which is why they would rather import their own labour.

“That is why we want to embark on this skills training which could also be likened to the finishing school, because even when you graduate, you still go for training to fine tune yourself.

“ We are targeting as much youths as we can to benefit from this programme and who would have access to starting funds and starter kits to become self-reliant,’’ Akobundu said.

She explained that the training also aimed at making the beneficiaries employers of labour so that after acquiring the skills they can employ others and also retrain them.

She disclosed that a mentorship programme has been designed by NEPAD Nigeria to monitor the beneficiaries after they have been facilitated with funds and starter kits.

The coordinator said the mentorship department would do a regular follow up on beneficiaries, pay them surprise visits to ensure that they are actually utilising the funds and starter kits.

Akobundu pointed out that one major challenge is the fact that after most capacity building trainings, beneficiaries misuse the funds and kits, and return to becoming a burden to the society.

She therefore called for collaboration with the Ministry of Youths and Sports so that they would be able to track and monitor the activities of the beneficiaries with their data with a view to addressing these challenges.

Besides, she said that the first phase of the training initiative might not capture the entire youths of Nigeria but it hopes to accommodate as many youths as possible in its expanded programme. (NAN)

LIZ/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Oyo Govt to partner investors on youth empowerment

Oyo Govt to partner investors on youth empowerment

NAN-HG-6

Empowerment

By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, Feb. 2, 2017 (NAN) The Oyo State Government says it will partner investors in the state on employment generation and youth empowerment.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection tour of Triton Farms at Seriki village in Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Triton Farms is owned by a foreign company, Globus Resources Limited.

The farm, which is located on 24,000 hectares of land, is used for aqua culture, poultry, cashew and thick tree farming.

Ajimobi said that his administration would continue to work with the company to make a successful public private partnership.

“What we have here today is the first of its kind in the history of the state and Nigeria by extension.

“We are interested in employment generation and youth empowerment. We will explore how we can bring young school leavers.

“We will look at how we can empower our youths,” he said.

He said that the nation could develop with sincerity, adding that he is very glad that the effort of government to woe investors to the state is yielding positive results.

The governor, who stated that the company was one that exemplified value-chain, expressed optimism that the company would be a big name in few years.

Earlier, Mr Raju Santari, Chief Operating Officer of the company, said that the farm have 450 workers presently, saying the workforce will increase to 3,000 workers in few years to come.

Santari said that the company started in July 2015 while production began in Dec. 2015, recording its first batch of products in April 2016.

“At present, we produce 500 birds per annum and will increase to 15 million in the next five years.

“We produce 5,000 metric tones of catfish and will increase to 60,000 in five years.

“Today, we have 15,000 cashew trees and very optimistic that it will increase 50,000,” he said.

He said that the farm would help the state in saving foreign exchange, saying that cashew, catfish and tillapia would be exported to foreign countries.

Santari said that the company had since its establishment used solar and bio-gas energy generated from agriculture and poultry waste products.

He said that the company would also have a training sector for youths in the state to become successful entrepreneurs.

Santari, however, listed theft, invasion of the farmlands by herdsmen and their cows as some of the challenges.

Chief Sikiru Adeyinka, who spoke on behalf of the host community, appreciated the governor for facilitating the company to the community.

Adeyinka, who stated that the community would forever remain grateful to the governor, pledged their support to the company and the government. (NAN)

TAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola