Enugu State Government has hailed youths in Enugu State for coming out in mass and contributing to the huge success of the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2025).

The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, gave the appreciation while giving a preliminary report on the just-concluded ETF 2025 on Tuesday in Enugu.

The just concluded three-day tech-innovative festival, which is tagged: “Coal to Code”, was held between May 6 and May 9, 2025.

The festival featured federal ministers, tech-innovative moguls, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, exhibitors and government functionaries at all levels speaking and encouraging the youths to stick to tech-innovation.

According to Ezeh, I have to give thumbs up to youths in Enugu State as they have proven quite well that they are highly interested in tech and innovation.

He said that the festival had 15,000 youths duly registered, adding that they paid for their transport to the venue, stayed put till closing time and listened attentively to all presentations made to gain knowledge and insight.

The commissioner said that the ministry was able to manage the surge in number of participants by 250 youths’ volunteers and 90 ETF brand ambassadors, who worked seriously hard and free-of-charge, for the three days.

“For the first day, we recorded an overwhelming 15,000 youths converging at the venue, which put some level of strains on resources at the centre.

“The second day, we had over 6,000; and same number on the third day. They remained patient and attentively throughout the duration of the festival,” he said.

The commissioner said that the organization was superb and every aspect including electricity and medicals well taken care of.

He said that there was a standby ambulance and para-medics on ground.

Ezeh noted that throughout the festival, the ministry saw the youths’ hunger for learning and being path of the tech and innovation movement devoid of any immediate inducement.

He said, “Previously, you only see youths going to places to have fun and join in a musical jamborees and other places where freebies and political largesse are shared.

“But we have seen the reverse; and this is a good development for the state and entire country as our youths’ orientation is now on positive engagement and focusing on the real deal.

“We assured them training, which we have started to link them up to.

“They will be attaching them to tech and innovative mentors while the festival provided the opportunities for them to network and connect with youths with same progressive mind and passion.” (NAN)

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu  of Lagos has called on residents of the state and organizations to support new corps members as they embark on national service.

Sanwo-Olu made the call on Tuesday  at the closing of orientation course for the  2025 Batch ‘B’, Stream 1, corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja.

He was represented by  the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende.

“I call on all Lagosians to welcome these vibrant young men and women into your midst. Encourage them.

“Let us work together to ensure they have a fulfilling and impactful experience here in the centre of excellence,” he urged.

Sanwo-Olu said that his  aadministration had a duty to ensure  the wellbeing of corps members deployed to the state.

He advised the corps members to relate well with  their host communities.

“The camp has served as a microcosm of Lagos State, a vibrant tapestry of culture, language and traditions.

“Know that the road ahead is filled with opportunities. You are moving forward with new skills, broader perspectives and a renewed determination to make positive impacts.

“Approach challenges with courage, contribute to meaningful projects.

“Let your actions reflect the discipline, perseverance and teamwork you have developed in the past weeks. You have undergone a truly transformative experience.,” he said.

In his own capacity, the commissioner urged the corps members to take advantage of the service year to increase their knowledge.

“After the service year, you will be stepping into the real world,” he said.

Mrs Christiana Salmwang, Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, delivering address at the closing of NYSC orientation programme in Lagos on Tuesday

Mrs Christiana Salmwang, Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, urged the corps members to bring to bear, their trainings in various fields, on their national service.

She encouraged them to integrate with their host communities and respect their cultures  in order to live in harmony with them.

Salmwang said that a total number of 5,943 corps members, comprising  2,538 males and 3,405 females,  completed  the orientation programme.

She said that the corps members  had proven to be  disciplined and  had acquired the spirit of self-reliance and patriotism which they would need to deliver quality service.

“You are therefore, required to comport yourselves in ways that will endear you deeply to the heart of the good people of the Centre of Excellence.

“Endeavour to leave a positive mark in your various communities for others coming after you to emulate and possibly continue the good works you have started,” she said.

The coordinator appealed to employers to see the corps members as their own children and ensure their well-being.

She said that, with  care and support, the corps members would give their best  at their places of primary assignments and  contribute to the growth of Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, at the event, some corps members were recognised with letters of commendation for their commitment, dedication and overall conduct during the three-week orientation course. (NAN)

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has found that Russia was responsible for the July 17, 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine that killed all 298 people on board.

The council of ICAO voted that Russia failed to uphold its obligations under international air law which requires that States “refrain from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight.

The case was brought by the Netherlands and Australia.

“This represents the first time in ICAO’s history that its Council has made a determination on the merits of a dispute between Member States under the Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism,” the UN agency said.

Flight MH17 was heading from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine amid the armed conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian military forces.

All 283 passengers and 15 crew members were killed. They represented some 17 nationalities and included 196 Dutch citizens, 43 Malaysians and 38 Australian citizens or residents.

ICAO is the global aviation body that develops and implements global aviation strategies and technical standards and the council is its governing body.

The UN aviation agency created a special task force on risks to civil aviation arising from conflict zones in the weeks following the crash.

The Netherlands established a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in August 2014 together with Australia, Malaysia and Belgium, as well as Ukraine.

The JIT determined that flight MH17 was shot down by a missile launched from a Buk TELAR installation that was transported from Russia to a farm field in eastern Ukraine in an area controlled by separatists.

In November 2022, a Dutch court convicted three men – two Russians and a Ukrainian – for murder.  They were tried in absentia and sentenced to life in prison. Another Russian man was acquitted.

That same year, the Netherlands and Australia launched the case with ICAO.

The case centered on allegations that Russia’s conduct in the downing of the aircraft by a surface-to-air missile over eastern Ukraine constituted a breach of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

War in Ukraine had escalated since the crash following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

More than 13,000 civilians have been killed to date and no fewer than 31,000 injured, according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR. (NAN)