NEWS
Obi, Nweke, others, Urge Youths to Take Action to Attain the SDGs by 2030
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Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi and former Information Minister, Mr Frank Nweke Jr., have urged Nigerian youths to take positive actions to actualize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
They noted that the action youths took today would help in actualising and achieving United Nations SDGs in 2030.
They gave the advice during the “Shaping the Future Conference” organised by Boys Champion (BC) Foundation in Enugu.
The theme of the conference is entitled: “Accelerating Actions to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Civic Engagement.”
Speaking at the event, Obi said that government must see pride in its youths by providing necessary opportunities that would make them thrive.
The former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, also said that youths must stand up and question those that stole their future.
Obi said that few people who held the youths at ransome succeeded because young people pretended as if nothing was happening.
He advised hem to hold their leaders accountable noting that they continued to steal because youths allowed it and “no matter how you train a thief, he will remain a thief until the youth stand up, say no and they will stop,”.
Obi, whose speech was centred on “Inculcating Entrepreneurial Spirit in Youths,” said entrepreneurship was the future for the Nigerian youths, adding that government had to create entrepreneurs to achieve SDGs.
“What makes a society is the entrepreneurship and those countries that are doing well today is because their system invested on entrepreneurship.
“Businesses and service will boom but government must drive the process. Nigeria is not working because it is a consumption country instead of production.
“We cannot continue like this because all the money they are stealing and sharing belong to your future and there must be a change,” Obi said.
He said that God gave Nigeria everything except leadership, adding that states like Kogi, Niger and Borno could turn around Nigeria if they engaged in production through entrepreneurship.
In a speech titled “Responsibility of Hope”, the former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke Jr, said youths must take responsibility by getting involved on the happening around.
He said, “The greatest skill is the shared responsibility.
“The action you take today will determine the responsibility of hope for tomorrow, if you give up on things happening around you, you will have yourselves to blame.”
Dr Innocent Kasarachi, a lecturer from the University of Port Harcourt and a motivational speaker, who took time to explain how he suffered before becoming what he was, said Nigeria only judge the container while leaving the content.
Kasarachi, who took pride in his disability, urged youths to discover whom they were and never allow anything to drail them.
“First, you must work on your mind, make positive decisions and stand on the right side. Select your areas of interest and do something, I believe that the needed change is coming,” he said.
Speaking also, founder of Boys Champion, Nelso Alumona, said the gathering was aimed at opening up a conversation on how far the country had gone in achieving SDGs and how far they had continued to make effort towards it.
According to him, the discussion became necessary as the world is very close to 2030 in achieving 2015 United Nations SDGs.
He added that right now, countries were half way into 2030 agenda.
“We are trying to see how we can accelerate the achievement of SDGs by looking critically on entrepreneurship, being the driven force and those young leaders on communities who have taken civic action in their communities to solve global problem.
“We chose the like of Peter Obi, Kasarachi, Nweke and others because of their pedigree and background given the theme of the conference.
He said, “Dr Kasarachi is working with young people at the University of Port Harcourt as a professor and has been moving round the world advocating for total inclusion of people with disability
“Somebody like Peter Obi is an entrepreneur that is known worldwide, while Frank Nweke is sitting on the board of a lot companies and Organisations and so is others,” he said.
Alumona explained that he initiated a ‘Change Mega Challenge’ in this year’s conference aimed at supporting youths who were taking entrepreneurial and civic actions in solving problems in their communities financially.
He said that they received 632 applications, which they narrowed to 13 and from the number six finalists were selected.
“Three winners will go home with N1 million each today.
“Our expectations after this conference participants will continue to accelerate actions to achieve SDGs through entrepreneurship and taken actions in their communities,” Alumona said.
Reports says that BC is a non-profit organisation that leverages mentorship, sports, education, peace building and empathy to empower boys. (NAN)
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.