TheNewsGuru

Tag: Youths

  • How we successfully pacify aggrieved youths not to disrupt Anambra poll – Ex-APGA Chairman

    How we successfully pacify aggrieved youths not to disrupt Anambra poll – Ex-APGA Chairman

    Senator Victor Umeh has explained how the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was able to pacify some aggrieved youths not to disrupt the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

    Prior to the build-up of the election, there was a palpable fear of the crucial poll not holding due to the palpable insecurity in the south-eastern state.

    In addition, security formations have been attacked with operatives killed, as well as many innocent residents of Anambra State, notably Dr Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late boss of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili,

    Speaking on Wednesday on a monitored interview on Channels Television, the former APGA National Chairman said the party, traditional rulers and religious leaders reached out to the youths to ensure that the poll was held smoothly.

    He equally commended President Muhammadu Buhari for dominating the state with more security operatives to erase the fears that gripped the electorates.

    “Through negotiations, on November 4, the IPOB declared openly that people should go and vote in the election and the sit-at-home order which they had issued for one week beginning from November 5, the order was lifted,” he said.

    “The greater commendation will go to our traditional rulers and traditional leaders. We had to resort to reaching out to our young people, the people who have been threatening that there won’t be an election in Anambra State.”

    While noting that the young people had every reason to be aggrieved, the APGA chieftain explained that the several appeals paid off as they conveyed the message to their people to take things easy.

    This is even as he noted that the issues of marginalisation of the Igbos will be properly addressed in the Nigerian polity through dialogue and persuasion.

  • Oyedepo advises youths against get-rich-quick syndrome

    Oyedepo advises youths against get-rich-quick syndrome

    President, Living Faith Church International, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has cautioned young Nigerians to shun what he called get-rich-quick syndrome.

    Oyedepo gave the advice at the 8th Convocation of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, held on Friday.

    Forty-five out of a total of 468 graduates that passed out of the institution bagged first class honours while 196 were in second class upper division; 221 second class lower division and six in third class.

    Oyedepo, who is the institution’s Chancellor and visitor, warned youths that impatience could lead to a life of horror.

    He said, “Hurry is the breeding ground for horror. It is common knowledge that most victims of accidents are men and women in a hurry, insensitive to road signs and who engage in over speeding, ending their lives before they know.

    “The word ‘patience’ is no longer in the vocabulary of our youths. They don’t believe in the dignity of labour, leading to many losing their lives.

    “Some other youths are into hard drug business. A number of these may have been shot dead in the course of their business and many may be lamenting in various countries around the world.

    “Some youths must have joined armed robbery gangs because they cannot wait, the process is too slow for them. A number of youths today engage in computer scam and many are grieving in prison, while others continue to suffer irreversible curses from their victims.

    “Furthermore, today, a particular syndrome is the crave to travel out of the country without a defined mission. You ask some of these youths ‘you must travel, but to where?’ You may be surprised to hear their answer: ‘anywhere’. Or you are travelling to do what? Their response is ‘anything.’

    “There is nothing wrong in going out to study, but there is everything wrong in living one’s life to chance. Life without a mission is adventure in frustration. Travelling out of the country is not an Achievement.”

    Oyedepo counselled youths to guard their lives jealously, adding that “remember that you have only one life to live and you don’t have a spare.”

     

  • Young Nigerians’ talents is reason to believe in Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Young Nigerians’ talents is reason to believe in Nigeria – Osinbajo

    Even as the Federal Government will continue to create an enabling environment for the growth and development of youths in the country, the creativity/ talents of Nigeria’s youth population is enough reason to believe in the future of this country and building a new Nigeria that every Nigerian would be proud of, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

    The Vice President stated this on Wednesday when he received on a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, a delegation of young Nigerian (comedy) Skit Industry practitioners under the auspices of the Nigeria Skits Industry Awards (NSIA), led by its promoter, Hon. Bimbo Daramola.

    The delegation included Maryam Apaokagi, popularly known as Taooma; Josh Alfred (Josh2funny); Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba); Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr. Hyenana), Adeoye Adeyemi Elesho (Yemi Elesho), among others.

    Commending the creativity of the Nigerian youths, the Vice President said, “I strongly believe that what our young people are doing and what they are capable of, is what will lead our country to where we are meant to be. The future is not tomorrow, it is already here and we can see it from just everything you are doing, the global acclaim that you are getting; young people like yourselves, doing something good.”

    Noting that he has watched some of their skits, the VP added, “I think that we have incredible talent and we must do something about it …enable these talents, and we must ask ourselves questions on setting realistic goals that can enable these talents flourish. I must say that just based on the sheer creativity around this, I don’t think that anybody anywhere is as funny as Nigerian comedians,” he said.

    Osinbajo urged the young skit comedians to use their huge following on social media and on the Internet to promote issues for social good and impact, stating that, “everyone with a large following also has a responsibility to draw attention to these issues.”

    On the support of government for the creative industry, the Vice President highlighted the work of the Technology and Creative Advisory group in shaping policies to encourage the growth of the sector.

    “Why I think this engagement (with skit comedians) is important is because this is the way to go. Let us sit down and look at all the issues and come out with realistic positions that can then become policies, and what sort of support will be required,” he stated.

    The Vice President also addressed a couple of issues that was raised by the youths, including the Twitter ban, the harassment of youths by the police and law enforcement officers and the need to improve the country’s public education system.

    On the issue of public education, the VP noted how the FG, through the National Economic Council (NEC), is working in collaboration with state governments to improve public education, including primary and secondary schools which fall under the auspices of state governments.

    The VP noted that the Federal Government is already making efforts to address these issues, including resolving the Twitter ban, ensuring that young Nigerians and all Nigerians are protected and their rights respected by law enforcement officers.

  • Failure of governance turned youths to threat- Moghalu

    Failure of governance turned youths to threat- Moghalu

    A presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress Kingsley Moghalu, has said the failure of governance turned the youth into a threat.

    Moghalu made this statement on the backdrop of the #EndSARS memorial protest.

    He said in a statement on Wednesday that the youths are Nigeria’s most productive asset but have become a threat to the government because of its failures.

     

    He said, “Nigeria’s young men and women face many fundamental challenges. The strength of their numbers (nearly 70 per cent of our population) is supposed to be the country’s most productive asset; but the failure of governance has turned this into a threat, and the #EndSARS movement has witnessed efforts to silence the voices of our young people, physically and on social media including the ‘Twitter ban’.

    “A year ago, Nigerian youth organised themselves in the peaceful #EndSARS protests to demand freedom from police brutality. Quite sadly, the bravery of the young compatriots was met with even more brutality. Like millions of fellow citizens, and indeed the youth, today, I especially remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom during the protest. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten or in vain.”

     

    Speaking further, the former deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria mentioned his five-point agenda if elected into office, which he says would provide a council that would memorialise the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
    “The council will work to bring into reality the promises of the National Youth Policy. As part of its responsibilities, the council will memorialise the 2020 #EndSARS protest and restore civic engagement and the right to protest as provided for in the Nigerian constitution.”

  • Many youths identify with #EndSARS to be fashionable —Shagari’s grandson

    Many youths identify with #EndSARS to be fashionable —Shagari’s grandson

    Bello Shagari, a grandson of late former President Shehu Shagari, has averred that many youths who identify with the #EndSARS protest are doing so because it has become fashionable.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that a protest tagged #EndSARSMemorial was held across major cities yesterday in honour of those believed to have died when gun-wielding soldiers dispersed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

    Reacting, Bello, in a post on Facebook, said that many of the #EndSARS protesters have little understanding of the socio-political system.

    He said, “A lot of the young people who identify with the#EndSARS protest are doing so because it has become fashionable. It has become a thing of show off; that everyone is now an activist. Whereas most of them have little understanding of the socio-political system.

    “However, my advice has always been that we should not focus too much in protests when we can do better by mobilising young peoples’ votes to achieve a change in the entire political system, or to change our present realities, or at least to be in charge of them.

    “We must adopt a more progressive and strategic approach rather than the usual disruptive one which hasn’t yielded any meaningful results. You can’t be doing the same thing and expect a different result.

    “Use the same energy and reinforce it into a political power at the polls.”

     

  • 2023: Ondo senator accused of hypnotising youths with ‘juju’, cash gifts speaks

    2023: Ondo senator accused of hypnotising youths with ‘juju’, cash gifts speaks

    The Senator representing Ondo South senatorial district, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, has denied hypnotising some youths with juju for the purpose of getting re-elected to the Senate.

    A lawyer, Akin Sowore, had in a petition to the Police called for the arrest and prosecution of Senator Tofowomo over alleged ritual dealings with some constituents.

    Sowore had alleged that Senator Tofowomo invited the youths for an empowerment programme but instead gave them some concussions to drink after which he gave them N200, 000 each.

    But Senator Tofowomo who denied the allegations said politicians and detractors were at work ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    He said the petition was written for political gains as well as being untrue, and falsely concocted to dent his image.

    Tofowomo who spoke through his media aide, Akinrinlola Olumide, said he never held any meeting where people were lured to take oaths or swear with car radiator water to prove loyalty to him.

    According to him, “We understand there is hunger in Nigeria but we never knew that the purported Lawyer who cannot write simple and correct English could descend this low because of peanuts.

    “The public should know that the petition writer is a card-carrying member of the ruling APC, and his ultimate goal is to bring down Senator Tofowomo for refusing to assist him to pay his debt after going bankrupt at the hands of a money lender in Akure.

    “Senator Tofowomo is a man that carries God’s grace and a good Christian who cannot suffer disgrace. His detractors have tried many times to bring him down via social media by using their concubines and proxies but they have failed repeatedly because whoever God promotes, nobody can demote.

    “All the allegations are unfounded and without factual foundations. The good people of Ondo State should disregard it.”

  • Asaba Development Union set to empower youths

    Asaba Development Union set to empower youths

    The Asaba Development Union World Wide (ADUWW) is set to empower youths of Asaba especially those with entrepreneurial skills and businesses, through an investment loan scheme.

    This was made known recently by the President General, ADWW, Chief Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN, who had set up an Asaba Youth Investment Trust Fund Committee for the purpose, because; “ADUWW has always made our youths the centerpiece of our policy, since we believe strongly that there cannot be any meaningful development in our homeland if our youths are not mainstreamed in the calculus of our developmental trajectory”.

    In a statement, Professor Azinge said that; “in this era of high unemployment, hyperinflation, youth restiveness and high moral degradation, the need to engage and change the mindset of a typical Asaba youth has necessitated our setting up this Committee”.

    The Committee is chaired by a distinguished financial expert and Chartered Accountant Ogbueshi Fred Okonta. Othermembers of the Committee include; Peter Osamgbi (Secretary), Ogbueshi Peter Ejiofor, Ogbueshi Edu Monyei, Emmanuel Dialli, Innocent Isichei, Ogbueshi Kenny Odogwu, Ogbueshi Peter Ejiofor, Barrister Ken Gwam , Lady Stella Oduah Blaize,Barrister Ike Maduemezie, Bridget Asindi, Okosisi Uche Oduah,Ngozi Edozien, Ogbueshi Alfred Nwokobia, Dr Ekene Omo and Maureen Chukura.

    Expressing his acceptance to carry out the task, the Chairman of ADUWW Asaba Youth Investment Trust Fund, Ogbueshi Fred Okonta thanked the President General for the initiative of setting up the trust fund, the confidence reposed on Committee members, and the “charge to vigorously source for funds with a target of 100million naira as a first installment in six months” stressing that by end of 2021, it is expected that a minimum of 500 Asaba youths ( or more) would have been set up in meaningful business and enterprise.

    Speaking further, Okonta said that the Trust Fund is opened to every youth of Asaba parentage residing in Asaba. Pointing out that the process of accessing the Fund begins with online application by candidates, leading to selection process, where candidates’ application will be reviewed, to access the viability of the business before funds are released.

    Okonta concludes that ADUWW Youth Investment Trust Fund is set to become the fulcrum for supporting Asaba youths and helping them to achieve self-sufficiency; “We are happy to report that so far, 40 Asaba Youths with businesses in fashion,catering, solar energy and transportation have responded to this clarion call. They would like to be empowered in order that their dreams and aspirations would not die”.

  • Youths must struggle to take over political power- Akeredolu

    Youths must struggle to take over political power- Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has averred that there was a need for the consideration of greater participation of the youths in Nigerian politics.

    The governor said since the powers were not given on a platter of gold, youth must be determined and take positive steps that would guarantee their inclusion in politics and governance.

    He stated this at the Ondo State Progressive Youth Stakeholders Round-Table Discussion held at the International Culture and Event Centre, in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.

    The event, which was themed, “Patriotic Partisanship; Driving an Agenda of Inclusion and Collective Growth” was organised by a group within the APC, under the auspices of the Pentagon Movement Group.

    The governor urged the youths to be committed and remain focused while seeking leadership positions by participating in politics.

    He also challenged the youths in the state to chart a course for themselves without minding the influence of money-bags in politics, admonishing the youths to be focused and committed to the spirit of patriotism by putting the interest of the country first and above personal interests.

    He said, “Nigeria is desperately in need of a paradigm shift in the ideology of what political offices should be and birthing the new age of the Nigerian politician to focus primarily on the development of Nigeria and adding value to the social, economic, political and developmental facets of the country.

    “There is need to recognize the mindset of the Nigerian youth and come up with different approaches and means of engagement that target the management of their diverse perspectives.”

    The governor also noted that the time had come for women to take their place in the affairs of the country, saying “as the feminism movement continues to sweep through the world, Nigeria inclusive, we cannot be an exception.”

    “I am glad to disclose that our administration has been taking steps towards ensuring that more women take up political roles by insisting on a minimum 25 per cent representation of women both in government appointments and in the party structure.

    “As more and more women begin to show interest in active politics, there is the need to continue to identify the pitfalls, limitations and hindrances preventing women from taking up critical roles within the political space.

    “Of particular interest is the role of the young women in politics and in general, the upgrading of the roles of women from the African traditional beliefs to the one that is involved in decision making and other impactful political activities,” he stated.

     

  • Unrestricted access to social media robbing youths of their future – Oyedepo

    Unrestricted access to social media robbing youths of their future – Oyedepo

    Bishop David Oyedepo, Chancellor, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara, on Friday called for urgent steps to check students’ unfettered access to social media.

    “We must wake up from our slumber to deal with this monster. It unconsciously robs people of their future by robbing them of their time,’’ Oyedepo, said at the 7th Convocation of the institution.

    He was speaking on: “Combating the challenge of education without integration.’’

    “This social media saga has eroded the substance of destiny of most youths today. What is supposed to be a plus has suddenly become a major minus.

    “This is because everything of value delivers through investment of time.

    “Suddenly, we are faced with a generation on the wrong side of history; the honour of this generation has been wiped off,’’ the Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, said.

    Oyedepo stressed that social media content that did not add value should be restricted.

    “They chat all day with no time left to think, plan, programme and engage productively in the pursuit of any task.

    “Many youths spend less than 10 to 20 per cent of their time on their tasks per day. They can never match a generation that spends 70 per cent to 80 per cent of their time on their tasks.

    “We must device means to put a check on free access to social media particularly those that are not adding values.’’ he insisted.

    Oyedepo advised parents of the graduating students to give them free hand to develop themselves to become self-sufficient and self-reliant.

    “Give your sons, daughters, or wards the opportunity to develop their wings, and I know that many will soar much higher than their parents,’’ he said.

    In a keynote address, Mr Alphonsus Inyang, Group Managing Director of a private company expressed the need for the country to pursue and promote agriculture that is knowledge driven and fully mechanised.

    “The reason why we are not making any headway in agriculture in Nigeria unlike in the Netherlands is that agricultural practices and processes there are highly mechanised, technology and knowledge driven.

    “Out-dated methods of agriculture such as the use of hoes and cutlasses reduce efficiency and these methods are not only costly, they are time consuming,’’ he said.

    He argued also that agricultural practices of old contributed to health problems later in life.

    The university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, said at the occasion the institution “migrated’’ quite a number of its academic activities into online platforms to adapt to the new normal occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “In spite of this pandemic situation that foisted lockdown on the world, our faith and stake in driving continuous engagement with students and improvement in our services never changed.

    “This was made possible by the huge investment of the proprietors into Information Technology infrastructures and for this we are immeasurably grateful,’’ he said.

  • Video: Irate youths burn police station in Niger, block Abuja-Kaduna Expressway over mindless kidnappings

    Video: Irate youths burn police station in Niger, block Abuja-Kaduna Expressway over mindless kidnappings

    There is a protest ongoing around Gauraka town, located along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Niger State.

    Worried about their safety, residents in the said area trooped to the streets on Monday to protest over kidnap incidents in the area.

     

    A video obtained by TheNewsGuru (TNG) show how some aggrieved protesters set the police division in the area ablaze.

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    Their anger was reported to have been fuelled by the early Monday fresh attack in the area during which at least 12 persons were abducted in Gauraka town.

    A similar attack was recorded last week in Kwakwashi community where one person was killed and 13 residents were kidnapped.

    According to reports, kidnappers stormed the area on Sunday and abducted 16 residents.

    Gridlock caused by the roadblock has extended to the Zuma military barrack and Madalla area in the other axis.

    In a related development, a vehicle conveying some people suspected to be kidnappers was set ablaze around Madalla area of the high way around 11 am on Monday.