News
Advancing NiYA: Youth Minister Strengthens Tinubu’s Vision Through International Ties
Joel Ajayi
In continuation of the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians for the demands of the global digital economy, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has embarked on a strategic mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), forging key international partnerships to advance youth innovation, enterprise, and digital capacity-building.
During a high-level engagement with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), a leading institution in youth enterprise and innovation, the Minister explored areas of collaboration in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA).
The initiative aims to empower over 7 million young Nigerians with digital skills, entrepreneurial training, civic leadership development, and access to international opportunities.
“We are building bridges between Nigerian youth and global innovation ecosystems. Sheraa’s mission to nurture talent aligns perfectly with our goal of unlocking the creative and entrepreneurial potential of our young people,” the Minister stated.
In a landmark development, the Minister announced a strategic partnership with GITEX Global, one of the world’s foremost technology and innovation platforms. From September 1st to 4th, 2025, Nigeria will host a GITEX-powered National Digital Innovation Showcase, designed to spotlight the creativity and ingenuity of Nigerian youth on a global stage.
Through this initiative, 300 high-potential Nigerian startups will be selected for global visibility, access to international markets, and targeted support for growth and scale.
This effort is in close collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, who joined the Minister during the engagements.
Highlighting the domestic rollout of NiYA, the Minister noted that over 210,000 young Nigerians have already been onboarded. Green House Centres are being established across all 774 Local Government Areas nationwide, providing structured training, enterprise support, and access to emerging technologies.
In addition, a GITEX Youth Local Showcase Series – Powered by NiYA is being developed to create a sustained pipeline of Nigerian talent into global platforms such as GITEX Africa and GITEX Global, further integrating Nigeria into the international innovation ecosystem.
The visit also included a strategic meeting with His Excellency Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Discussions focused on collaborative opportunities in AI education, business process outsourcing (BPO), startup incubation, and remote work innovations, sectors critical to youth employment and digital transformation in Nigeria.
“The future belongs to those who innovate. Our mission is to position Nigerian youth as creators, not just consumers, in the global digital economy,” the Minister affirmed. “We are laying the foundation for a generation of leaders who will define Africa’s tech-driven future.”
These engagements reinforce the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to building strategic global partnerships that will provide Nigerian youth with the tools, platforms, and networks required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
“To every young Nigerian innovator, tech founder, designer, and change-maker: your time is now. The world is paying attention, and Nigeria is ready,” the Minister concluded.
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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