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Let’s Come Together And fix Nigeria – Olawande Urges The Youth

Published

2 years ago

January 17, 2024

….Unveils his plans for the youth.
Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has urged Nigerian youth to rally together to fix the nation, as the country belongs to them.

Mr. Olawande made this call in Abuja when the leadership of the National Youth Leaders forum of all political parties in Nigeria led by the chairman of the forum ambassador Muhammed Awwal Musa paid him a courtesy visit.

Olawanded revealed that there are plans on the ground to strengthen the Nigerian youth to ensure that they are equipped to fix the country.

The Honourable Minister lamented that the majority of the youths in the country are not skillful, a situation which according him, has given room for foreigners to take up jobs that Nigerians would have taken in private companies in the country.

He emphasized that it is time to kick start a youth campaign with the theme, “One Youth, Two Skills.”

“Let’s come out with this campaign that it is unacceptable and an injustice for a youth in this country not to have a skill, and it is going to be a project that everyone must key into.” He added.

Speaking on his planned programmes for the youths, he disclosed that these will include: Engagemen with Inspector General of Police to avoid a recurrence of End SARS protest in 2020 which was in reaction to police brutality of the youth, a situation which he noted is still on.

The establishment of Nigeria Youth Academy, where youths will be trained, engagement with Borno youths, estsblishment of Nigerian Youth radio and television, organisation of Nigerian Youth job fair, engagement with Nigerian youths in diaspora and youth startups as well as Nigerian Youth conference where Youths who have made a major impact in their carrier will be given recognition and required to encourage others to emulate them.

Earlier in his remarks, Amb. Mohammed Awwal Musa, the Chairman National Youth Leaders Forum of all political parties in Nigeria, commended the Minister’s commitments on the progress of Nigerian youths.

He said that the major purpose of their visit was to let the Minister know that the forum had agreed to work with the present government irrespective of their political differences.

Speaking also, the Chairman, Young Parliamentarian in the House of Representatives Honourable Ishaya David Lalu, appreciated the Minister ‘s open door policy, which, according to him demonstrates that he is ready to work.

He reminded the minister that he can not afford to fail, as uniting the Nigerian youth is one task that must be done.

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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.

He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.

“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.

Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.

On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.

“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.

“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.

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