News
Africa/National Youth Day: Olawande Urges Nigerian Youth to Embrace 21st Century Skills
By Joel Ajayi
As Nigeria joins the rest of Africa to celebrate the 2024 Africa/National Youth Day, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has urged young Nigerians to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the 21st century. Addressing thousands of Nigerian youths during a road show in Abuja, he emphasized the critical role of modern skills in securing a brighter future for both individuals and the nation.
This year’s celebration, themed “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century” and subtitled “Building a Resilient Education System: A New Hope for Nigerian Youth,” is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of relevant skills and resilience in education.
According to Minister Olawande, the future is already here, and Nigerian youth must embrace essential skills to increase their employability and actively contribute to the nation’s development. He expressed optimism that, despite Nigeria’s challenges, the country’s large and dynamic youth population has the potential to build a prosperous future.
“Despite our diversity and challenges, we are united by a common goal to build a better Nigeria,” Olawande said. “Our differences—whether political, religious, or ethnic—should not divide us. Instead, we should work together to secure our future, aiming for a Nigeria we can all be proud of.”
Olawande noted the importance of educational reform in addressing the gaps in the current curriculum. He urged collaboration across sectors to ensure that Nigerian youth are equipped with practical skills that match the demands of a changing world.
“Nigerian youth need 21st-century skills to face today’s realities. Education is not just about the classroom but about equipping young people to navigate the world with confidence. We need to rethink our curriculum to focus on practical, relevant skills,” he said.
Reflecting on the past, the Minister highlighted the role of collaborative efforts between youth and educational bodies in guiding students towards a prosperous path. He stressed that building a resilient future for the youth will require continuous commitment and systemic change.
He emphasized, “A Rome wasn’t built in a day, and transforming our education system won’t happen overnight. We must address challenges from the roots, starting with a renewed focus on primary and secondary education that emphasizes mental health, critical thinking, and skills development.”
Minister Olawande reiterated his ministry’s dedication to collaborating with all sectors to create opportunities for young Nigerians, including those in informal sectors, to gain basic education and practical skills.
“Education is for all Nigerian youth,” he said. “Whether formal or informal, each young person deserves access to the skills needed to succeed and contribute meaningfully to society.”
As the nation marks Africa/National Youth Day, the Minister’s message to Nigerian youth is clear: the future belongs to those who prepare for it today. By embracing the skills of the 21st century, Nigeria’s young generation can help pave the way for a prosperous and resilient Nigeria.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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