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Tinubu’s Bold Development Agenda: Putting Youth First

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Tinubu’s Bold Development Agenda: Putting Youth First

In a bold step to equip young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive, President Bola Tinubu, in 2023, established the Ministry of Youth Development.

In a bold step to equip young Nigerians with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive, President Bola Tinubu, in 2023, established the Ministry of Youth Development.

The ministry was officially separated from the Ministry of Sports Development on Aug. 17 of that year.

The move, a key part of the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda, signaled a renewed national focus on youth empowerment.

At the helm is Minister Ayodele Olawande, who has since driven a series of reforms and initiatives aimed at unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s young population.

Over the past two years, the ministry has focused on nurturing the social, emotional, cognitive, and economic capacities of young Nigerians through a variety of programmes and partnerships.

One of its flagship efforts is the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), a N110 billion initiative designed to fuel entrepreneurship and innovation among youth-led businesses.

Building on this, the government also inaugurated the Youth Development Bank, a pioneering financial institution with a N10 billion take-off capital aimed at providing tailored financial solutions to young entrepreneurs.

The ministry’s commitment to capacity building is also evident in the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Programme, which includes the well-known N-Power scheme.

Under this, 500,000 graduates have been trained and engaged nationwide in various vocational and digital skills.

Additionally, the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) was introduced to provide 5,000 young Nigerians with internship placements in public and private sector organisations, while efforts to rehabilitate Youth Development Centres continue across the country.

Olawande revealed plans to transform these centres into innovation hubs that will focus on technical, digital, creative, and civic engagement.

In pursuit of deeper impact, the Ministry of Youth Development has formed strategic alliances with both local and international stakeholders.

One notable partnership is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Investonaire Academy, aimed at training 100,000 young Nigerians annually in foreign exchange (Forex) trading.

“A capacity-building workshop on digital transformation and artificial intelligence, organised in collaboration with UNESCO.

“MoU with RHO Sigma & Sons Limited to produce a youth-focused reality show, Teenage Talent Hunt, aimed at promoting talent in music, dance, visual arts, and innovation.”

According to Olawande, the show will serve as a platform for entertainment, education, and skills enhancement, showcasing Nigeria’s emerging talents while reinforcing the ministry’s goal of empowering the next generation.

In a collaborative venture with the Bank of Industry and development partners, the ministry launched NextGen Bank, a youth-focused development finance institution.

It offers grants, low-interest loans, and equity investments to scale youth-led ventures in critical sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, ICT, healthcare, and education.

The ministry also introduced Youth Villages, sustainable physical and virtual communities in partnership with states such as Niger, Katsina, and Ebonyi.

These communities are designed to support economic development based on regional strengths and will serve as multifunctional hubs for entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and innovation.

Recognising financial challenges as a barrier to education, the ministry played a key role in rolling out an interest-free student loan scheme.

The initiative is designed to prevent dropouts from tertiary institutions due to economic hardship.

Before the end of the year, the ministry is set to host a National Youth Confab, where equality and inclusivity will be at the heart of discussions.

Olawande stressed the need for diverse representation and equity in policymaking, saying: “The selection of representatives will be based on equality.

“This government is committed to creating a Nigeria where equal opportunities are available to all, regardless of gender, social status, or creed.”

To promote healthy living among youth, the ministry inaugurated YO! Health, a comprehensive health awareness campaign.

The initiative addresses mental, physical, and sexual well-being, targeting common challenges such as substance abuse, mental health neglect, and preventable diseases.

Built on six strategic pillars, mental health, drug and substance abuse, communicable diseases, health insurance for informal workers, non-communicable diseases, and sexual and reproductive health,YO! Health aims to provide access to credible health information.

The initiative also focuses on delivering essential services and fostering community-driven support to improve overall youth well-being.

“Good health is foundational for youth to reach their full potential.

“This initiative promotes preventive healthcare and empowers youth to take charge of their well-being,” the minister said.

As part of its long-term plan, the ministry recently launched the National Youth Development Strategy (2024–2028), alongside initiatives in digital skills training, green entrepreneurship, and multi-sector partnerships.

“Nigerian youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the changemakers of today.

“We remain committed to building a system where young people have the tools, platforms, and support to shape their future and the nation’s destiny,” Olawande noted.

Newsdiaryonline.com

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Obasanjo’s Son Picks Side In 2027 Race

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Olujonwo Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has backed the re-election of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He expressed his support after joining the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), popularly known as the “Tinubu Must Stay” movement, to promote the president’s re-election agenda.

Olujonwo said his decision to join the movement was informed by his longstanding association with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his belief in the need to sustain the policies and reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

He was formally received by the leadership of TMS at a forum in Abuja, where he expressed support for the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and called for increased public awareness of its policies and achievements.

Olujonwo, who serves as president of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) and Project One Nigeria, as well as Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Housing, said he had been associated with the APC since 2014.

Explaining his political background, he said he was familiar with the party’s formation and its relationship with key political figures, including his father, former President Obasanjo, the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Tinubu.

“I have been in the APC since 2014. I was there when my father hosted the late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to form the movement. I am not new to the party,” he said.APC party merchandise

He argued that some of the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration were not being adequately communicated to Nigerians, adding that misinformation had contributed to negative perceptions of the government.

Olujonwo cited developments in the education sector, infrastructure and access to student loans as areas he believed deserved greater public attention.

“There is a lot of noise out there, and people are distorting what is going on. ASUU has had no strikes. Students have access to loans. Nigeria has become a massive construction site and an investors’ haven again. These are things we need to promote,” he said.

His decision to join the movement comes as political parties and their supporters begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, in which Tinubu is expected to seek another presidential term.

The move also places the son of the former president within a political platform established to defend the current administration’s policies and encourage public support for continuity in governance.

Welcoming Olujonwo to the movement, the National Coordinator of TMS and Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said his background gave him an understanding of the importance of economic reforms.

Inuwa drew a comparison between the economic reforms introduced during Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and those being pursued by Tinubu, arguing that both periods involved policies intended to reshape Nigeria’s economy.

He cited telecommunications liberalisation and banking reforms under the elder Obasanjo as measures that helped establish the foundation for subsequent economic development.

“You grew up in a family that led the second wave of reforms in Nigeria. Telecommunications liberalisation, banking reforms—these laid a solid foundation. Being raised in that family, you understand what reforms mean,” Inuwa said.

He urged Nigerians to consider the long-term implications of government policies, warning that reversing ongoing reforms could undermine investor confidence and disrupt economic progress.

According to him, maintaining policy consistency would be important for attracting investment and sustaining developments in key sectors of the economy.

“We are building investors’ confidence. The naira is becoming strong. Our stock exchange is one of the fastest-growing. The Dangote Refinery is a game changer. If we start reversing these policies, we’ll go back to where we were,” Inuwa added.

Also speaking at the event, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director-General of TMS and a former coordinator of the Obidient Movement, praised the economic policies implemented during Obasanjo’s presidency.

Ngogbehei highlighted the former president’s role in securing debt relief for Nigeria and supporting the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, describing those measures as important contributions to the country’s economic development.

He said TMS intended to promote discussions about government policies through evidence, research and public engagement rather than propaganda.

“We’re happy you have decided to take this step. Your father was one of those who revolutionised this country. The debt was paid off, and major innovations were introduced in liberalising the economy. This is not about propaganda. We will engage respectfully, factually and transparently,” Ngogbehei said.

The organisation said it had established structures across the country, including a Board of Trustees, national coordinators and specialised directorates, to support its activities.

It also plans to use digital platforms, virtual town hall meetings, policy research and fact-checking initiatives to promote the government’s policies and address what it considers misinformation about the administration.

Following Olujonwo’s reception, TMS announced plans to expand its engagement with professional associations, youth organisations and community groups across the country.

The planned activities are intended to increase public participation in governance and communicate the administration’s policies to Nigerians across different states and geopolitical zones.

Meanwhile, Olusegun Obasanjo has previously expressed concerns about Nigeria’s economic challenges, arguing that the country has sufficient natural and human resources to become prosperous.

In an interview on C-Suite Cafe, hosted by Ikem Okuhu, the former president questioned why Nigeria continued to struggle with poverty despite its agricultural potential, vast land, water resources and large population.Buy Maps

“Give me one reason why Nigeria should be poor. Is it the land that we don’t have or the desert that we are in or the people that we don’t have or the water that we don’t have or the rain that we don’t have?” he asked.

Obasanjo also criticised policies that encourage the importation of goods that could be produced locally, arguing that such practices discourage domestic farmers and undermine local production.

He recalled how restrictions on rice imports were introduced in 1979 to encourage domestic production, claiming that subsequent administrations reversed the policy and allowed imported rice to compete with locally produced varieties.

“When our successors came, one of the first things they did was to lift importation of rice, not to encourage production of rice but to encourage importation of rice, and the farmers couldn’t sell their own rice,” he said.

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PDP Moves to Sanction Wike Over Alleged Support for APC

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has indicated plans to take disciplinary action against members accused of working against its interests, with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, among those facing criticism over his alleged support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Access Services

PDP chieftain Emmanuel Ogidi disclosed the party’s position during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.

He discussed the lingering crisis within the opposition party and the steps its leadership intends to take against members accused of undermining its activities.

Ogidi described the situation as internal sabotage and maintained that the party could no longer afford to tolerate actions that weaken its structure, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.

He accused Wike of maintaining a relationship with the PDP while allegedly supporting the interests of the APC, arguing that such conduct raised serious questions about loyalty and commitment to the opposition party.

“You can’t serve two masters. He (Wike) is supposed to be serving us in PDP, but he is serving APC. This is a threat to democracy. APC is using him to destroy democracy, and it’s deliberate, but we are very conscious of that and very soon you will hear what will happen,” Ogidi said. Access Services

The PDP chieftain’s comments suggest that the party may be preparing to take a firmer position against members it believes are contributing to its internal difficulties.

However, he did not disclose the specific disciplinary measures being considered or when any formal decision concerning Wike would be announced.

Ogidi also indicated that the party had moved beyond the demands previously presented by Wike’s camp during efforts to resolve the disagreements within the PDP.

His comments point to growing frustration among party members who believe that the disagreements have continued for too long and are affecting the party’s ability to prepare for future elections.

The dispute involving Wike and the PDP has remained a major issue within the party since the 2023 general elections, when divisions emerged over its presidential candidate, the distribution of party positions and disagreements surrounding the political future of its leadership.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, was a prominent PDP member before President Bola Tinubu appointed him as FCT minister in 2023.
His appointment placed him in the cabinet of an APC-led administration despite his continued association with the opposition party.

His role in the federal government has since generated disagreements among PDP members, with some questioning how a senior party figure can serve in an administration controlled by a political opponent while remaining associated with the PDP.

Ogidi, however, insisted that the PDP belongs to its members and supporters rather than any individual or faction.

He argued that no group should be allowed to dictate the party’s direction or prevent it from enforcing its rules.

He further warned that the party’s willingness to reconcile with aggrieved members should not be interpreted as an acceptance of indiscipline.

According to him, efforts to bring members together must be accompanied by accountability for actions considered harmful to the party.

The PDP remains one of Nigeria’s major political parties, but prolonged internal crises could affect its candidate-selection process, campaign planning and efforts to attract voters ahead of 2027.Nigeria travel guide

Despite these challenges, Ogidi maintained that the PDP remained strong and capable of overcoming its current difficulties.

He dismissed suggestions that defections, court cases and disagreements over zoning had rendered the party incapable of competing in future elections.

He said the party was focused on ensuring that its forthcoming convention was successful, describing the exercise as an important step in its preparations for the 2027 polls.

Nevertheless, the exact nature of the proposed action against Wike and other members remains unclear, pending any formal announcement by the party’s authorised organs.

The FCT minister has not been quoted in the remarks provided as responding directly to Ogidi’s latest comments.

The allegations against him should therefore be understood as the position expressed by the PDP chieftain rather than an established finding of wrongdoing.

 

 

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2027: ‘False Battle’ – APC Breaks Silence On Rift Between Wike, Governors

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports of a disagreement between its governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that both sides remain committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the reported disagreement as a ‘false battle’.

He maintained that there was no genuine conflict between the minister and members of the Progressives Governors Forum.

Morka clarified this on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s News Day, following Wike’s inclusion in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

According to him, the governors and the FCT Minister share a common political objective of ensuring Tinubu’s victory in the next presidential election.

“It was a false battle to begin with. I mean, I don’t think there was any real tension between those positions because they united in their extraordinary commitment to the re-election of the president,” Morka said.

He noted that the Progressive Governors Forum comprised governors elected on the APC platform, while Wike, a former Rivers State governor, was a member of Tinubu’s cabinet and a vocal supporter of the President.

According to him, publication of the presidential campaign council list had also clarified the roles of those involved in Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

He said: “Governors, who are not of the APC, now [are] front and centre, coordinating some of our activities in their respective jurisdictions.”

Morka described the development as a new phase in Nigeria’s democratic politics, arguing that the President was bringing politicians from different parties together around a common objective.

The APC spokesperson claimed that the collaboration was unusual in a presidential system, stressing that Tinubu was transcending party differences by building a coalition of political actors to support his administration and re-election campaign.

He said: “We’re seeing a president who is transcending all of the divides and really nullifying what I call the politics of difference between these partisans and bringing them together under the same umbrella to pursue a common agenda for the good of the people.”

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