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2024 WYSD : We’ll Uplift The Youths Through Initiatives – Minister of Youth

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Federal Government yesterday re-assured that, it will do all within her strength to lift many Nigerian Youth out of unemployment cycles through its numerous initiative put in place to bring prosperity to the youths.

The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim gave the assurance in Abuja at the occasion of 2024 World Youth Skills Day celebrations, she said that, Nigerian youths are potentially the greatest investment for a country’s socio-economic, political and technological development.

She expressed that the Federal government knows the importance of youths in the present government. This has inspired the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to graciously approved a total of N110 billion to be released for the operation of the newly restructured Youth Development Fund and the investment in agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises instead of 75billion earlier approved.

2024 WYSD with the theme Youth Skills For Peace and Development , “Upskilling Youthful Peace” , “Skill Up Youth For Development.”

It will be recalled that United Nations General Assembly daclared that all member states to celebrate the Word Youth Skills Day on the 15th July of every year, it was on this that, put in place program in collaboration with other critical stakeholders in youth employment and empowerment to commemorate to celebrate the day.

According to her, the aim of the commemoration is to appreciate and celebrate the contributions of skills acquisition and development to nation building with the primary objective of reducing restiveness and poverty, encourage and support job creation, and most Importantly reduce the high rate of unemployment among the youth in developing economies.

“Federal Ministry of Youth Development recognizes the high level of the commitment of various stakeholders in this event. The designated day seeks to generate greater awareness of discussions on how important skills acquisition are in promoting national economic growth and personal success. It is believed that skill acquisition will contribute to reducing unemployment among the youth across the globe. The day highlights youth skills development and draws attention to the critical needs and the importance of technical, vocational, entrepreneurial and modern agricultural education and training to both national and global economics.

“Millions of youth worldwide are loved and therefore unengaged with any meaningful and sustainable livelihood and the worrisome part of the scenario is that majority bracket live in developing countries where young people are ed and continuously exposed to lower quality level jobs, or market inequality, longer and more insecure school to work s. In fact young people in their twenties (20) are not just bored, they are frustrated at how they are locked out of local decision making processes as well as economic and life opportunities. These disengaged, disenfranchised and frustrated set of youth are a growing concern of the present admistren.

“World Skills Day is set to bring in the required ergy among the critical actors in youth development. Therefore at end of the dy believe that the programme would have successfully achieved increadeshusiasm for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development in Nige challenge all the stakeholders for enhanced commitment to skill development and create a laudable platform to launch a new project on skills acquisition and developmeht that aligns with the RENEWED HOPE AGENDA.

“It is worthy to note that the youth is one of the greatest assets that any nation can have and are legitimately regarded as the future leaders and partners of today. They are potentially the greatest investment for a country’s socio-economic, political and technological development.”

“On our part, the Ministry shall continue to initiate and implement youth employment programmes and activities that will take our youth off the streets. In response to the high rate of unemployment among the youth and in line with its core mandates, the Ministry recently organized a scale up capacity building programme in Fashion design and Tailoring business with the establishment and equipping, by the Ministry, of a tailoring Hub in National Youth Development Centre, Odeomu, Osun State with modern fashion and tailoring machineries where interested youth entrepreneurs can access the centre to acquire and develop their skills in fashion design and allied businesses amongst others.”

She called on all well-spirited Individuals, groups and existing partners present here that there is urgent need for multidisciplinary collaboration and team work in Identifying and catering for the need of the skilled youth.

In his welcome addressed, permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dunuoma Umar Ahmed appealed to all youth in the country not to engage in any social devices, drugs or any action that will jeopardize their future.

Also speaking, the Director Enterprises Development and promotion of Ministry Mr Momoh Olugbenga stated that 2024 WYSD remains a clear demonstration of determination and commitment of all to promote skills acquisition, peace and socio-economic development of the country.

No doubt, Millions of youth worldwide are unemployed, uneducated and unengaged with the majority living in developing countries. Young people are underemployed and continuously exposed to lower quality level jobs, greater labor market inequality, longer and more insecure school to work transitions. In fact, young people in their twenties (20) are not just bored, they are frustrated at how they are locked out of local decision making processes as well as economic and life opportunities. These disengaged, disenfranchised and frustrated set of youth are a growing concern of the government.

He said that; the 2024 World Skills Day with the theme ‘Youth Skills For Peace and Development’ is all set to bring in the required synergy among all critical actors in jobs and employment creation for socio-economic development and peace of the country.

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

4 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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