Business

FG Enhances Water Safety with Donation of 3,500 Life Jackets to Ogun Government

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2025

Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta

As parts of efforts to avoid boat mishap, the Federal Government has donated 3,500 life jackets to Ogun State Government to ensure safety of waterways users on inland water transportation across the state.

Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, said that the life jacket donation was to create awareness on the safety of waterways users to navigate and transport easily on waters.

He stated this while flagging off the life jackets distribution ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the State’s Ministry of Transportation at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

Oyetola who was represented by the Director of Marine Services, Dr. Mercy Ilori, charged boat operators and ferry association to enforce life jackets on passengers before boarding their boat so as to save them from untimely death.

He explained that Ogun waterside, Ijebu and Yewa areas have expansive rivers and creeks network which had aided the business and cultural exchange of people in the areas, insisting that the waterways areas served as transit routes for the residents to transport their goods within the state and to neighbouring countries.

“Ogun State’s expansive network of rivers and creeks, especially around the Ijebu Waterside and Yewa areas play a vital role in the everyday lives of residents by supporting mobility, trade and cultural exchange not only within the State but also with neighboring States and Countries. He noted that, the waterways were more than just transit routes, they sustain livelihoods, commerce and inter-community ties.” The Minister said

The State Governor Dapo Abiodun lauded the FG for the gesture while rreaffirming the state Government’s commitment to strengthening safety protocols on its waterways to avoid boat mishap incidents.

Abiodun who was represented by the Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, said that such initiative reflects the life saving gesture of President Bola Tinubu led administration to people of riverin areas and coastal communities in the state.

He said” To begin with, I express my deepest appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the safety and prosperity of Nigerians continue to inspire confidence across the nation.

“Today’s event is a reflection of that commitment — a life-saving gesture to thousands of our riverine and coastal communities, marked by the distribution of an initial tranche of 1,000 life jackets to Ogun State,” he noted

The governor stated that safety on waterways was not a privilege but a right, describing the initiative as an investment in human capital development, which aligns with the pillars of the ISEYA Mantra of his administration.

He, however, assured of Ogun State’s continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry on developing marine infrastructure, enforcing safety standards and advancing the blue economy.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, Hon. Igbalaye Ayodele, advised all stakeholders to make use of the life jackets rather than abandon them, emphasising that they were for their safety

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Business

FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools

Published

5 days ago

November 25, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.

Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.

He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.

“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.

A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.

He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.

Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.

Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.

Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.

The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.

Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.

International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.

“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.

The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.

With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.

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