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5 Feared Dead, Many Injured As Hoodlums Clash During Egungun Festival In Ibadan

Published

5 years ago

June 17, 2019

Agency Report

About five people were reportedly feared dead with several others wounded, as hoodlums around Idi-Arere/Oja’ba area in Ibadan on Sunday afternoon, hiding under the celebration of the annual Egungun festival, unleashed mayhem on members of their rival gang, as a popular masquerade in the city, Ege, was coming from the Born Photo, Iyana Asuni area towards Idi-Arere junction, in the Oyo State Capital.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the hoodlums were brandishing dangerous weapons like machetes, guns, swords, cutlasses, broken bottles, stones and charms, and confronted the police team trying to stop them from further advancing towards their rival gang.

The showdown, which lasted well over 90 minutes, forced people, motorists, commercial motorcyclists and residents to run for cover.

Residents and shop owners in the area were forced to hurriedly shut the doors of houses and shops as the hoodlums went haywire.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that following a security report that the hoodlums would be attacking some followers of the masquerade during paying homage to the Olubadan of Ibadan, the masquerade was advised to shelve the idea of paying homage to the monarch.

The development, it was gathered, did not go down well with the team of the masquerade but had to take to the advice, in order to maintain law and order.

Tribune

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Featured

FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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