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Minister of State Petroleum join forces with FRSC on Road Safety Campaign
Joel Ajayi
In what seems to be another milestone in inter-agency collaboration, the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Oil) have reached a compromise to begin a robust partnership, geared towards intensifying existing efforts embedded in the campaign for safer roads in Nigeria.
The partnership was birthed during the visit of the Corps Marshal FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in his office on Monday 14 October 2024.
In the course of the conversation that ensued, the Honourable Minister assured the Corps Marshal of his ministry’s readiness to partner with the Corps in the campaign for safer roads in Nigeria.
While congratulating the Corps Marshal on his well deserved appointment, the Minister expressed optimism that with the inauguration of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NRSS), by the Vice President last week, stakeholders would work harmoniously to ensure safety on the nation’s highways. He commended the FRSC for its commitment to road safety as evidenced by the successes recorded in the areas of Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme, Drivers certification and other public enlightenment programs that have led to drastic reduction in the rate of road traffic crashes.
The Minister however, expressed concerns with frequent cases of crashes involving petroleum tankers some of which resulted in fire incidents with great loses to lives and property. He further stressed that even as the Ministry would have preferred that the use of pipelines as veritable means of transporting the petroleum products, the current hazards as well as the cost implications involved in replacing the pipes have made that impracticable at the moment. He therefore solicited the support of the FRSC to properly streamline the activities of drivers at the depots with a view to ensuring that only tankers that meet the minimum safety standards load the petroleum products from such facilities.
The Minister expressed the willingness of the Ministry to support the FRSC with logistics and training to enhance the capacity and efficiency of its personnel in road traffic management.
Earlier in his remarks, the Corps Marshal commended the Minister for the positive reforms being embarked upon in petroleum industry in Nigeria by the current leadership. He noted the existing peace and harmony in the Niger Delta areas and requested for collaboration for sustained peace and development in the oil industry.
The Corps disclosed that as part of the FRSC’s commitment to safety in movement of petroleum products, personnel of the Corps are being deployed to major depots across the country to ensure compliance to safety rules and regulations with particular reference with the policy on safe to load. He requested the Minister to assist the Corps with some logistics including patrol vehicles and ambulance for enhanced road surveillance and prompt response to distress calls.
The meeting which had in attendance some Directors of the Ministry of petroleum also has some principal officers of the FRSC in attendance with both sides agreeing on the need to sustain the partnership for safety on the nation’s highways and stability in the transportation of the petroleum products.
News
FG Targets 50,000 Youths for Digital Jobs, Deepens Partnerships for Nationwide Empowerment Drive
Joel Ajayi
Federal Government has intensified efforts to empower young Nigerians through strategic partnerships, digital skills development, and inclusive programmes aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, made this known during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined a renewed policy direction focused on measurable impact, transparency, and large-scale youth engagement.
At the core of this effort, he explained, is a landmark partnership with the Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, targeting the training of 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills.
The Minister noted that the initiative is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months of implementation.
Comrade Olawande also highlighted the Ministry’s sector-specific collaborations, including its partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture. He added that this is being complemented by expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy and other key youth empowerment initiatives.
He further disclosed that the government is scaling up internship, gig economy, and startup support programmes to reach a wider range of beneficiaries across the country, while also intensifying efforts to promote digital literacy through The Digital School (TDS) initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
To enhance transparency and ensure merit-based access to opportunities, the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform, “Nigerian New Tech.” He added that ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection are also broadening opportunities for young Nigerians.
During the interview, the Honourable Minister said:“We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact.”
“Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally.”
“For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”
“Our role as government is to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
“Transparency and merit are at the core of all our programmes. Access to opportunities should not depend on who you know, but on your capacity and readiness to grow.”
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, assuring that the Ministry will continue to deepen partnerships, expand programmes, and implement sustainable frameworks for the benefit of present and future generations.
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