News
Youth Minister Rallies Young Nigerian for Urgent Action on SDGs at UN House Dialogue
… As Olawande Says “Youth voices already shaping government policy”
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has issued a rallying call for Nigerian youth to take the driver’s seat in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the world races toward the 2030 deadline.
Speaking at a Youth Dialogue with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, in commemoration of International Youth Day 2025 at the UN House, Abuja, Olawande celebrated the creativity, innovation, and resilience of young Nigerians already localising the SDGs in their communities.
With this year’s theme — “Youth Action on SDGs and Beyond”, the Minister stressed that it was time to move from token participation to genuine youth leadership, in line with the Pact for the Future.
“Today’s dialogue is not just about speeches; it’s about listening,” Olawande said. “The Ministry of Youth Development is here to hear directly from you, and I assure you, your voices will be reflected in our policies and programmes.”
Olawande highlighted inspiring examples of youth-led change, from grassroots climate action to tech-driven solutions in education and healthcare.
He also commended global role models like UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and UN Global Ambassador for Peace Maryam Bukar, whose work demonstrates how Nigerians can influence international frameworks.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth innovation, partnerships, and enterprise, noting that the SDGs are “real commitments to people and communities, not just targets on paper.”
“The time for youth action on SDGs, and beyond, is now. Nigeria’s youth will lead the way,” he declared.
During the Q&A session, Olawande emphasised that youth perspectives are already shaping government policy, and that sustained engagement between young people, government, and development partners will deliver more inclusive and impactful outcomes.
In his remarks, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall reaffirmed the UN’s dedication to partnering with Nigeria’s youth, describing them as “the future happening now.”
Speaking under the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, he applauded the Minister for championing youth empowerment and celebrated the achievements of young Nigerians making global impact, including Maryam Hassan’s recent appointment as a UN Global Peace Advocate.
Highlighting Nigeria’s youthful population as a unique advantage, Mr. Fall stressed that young people are vital to advancing peace, development, climate solutions, and justice.
“Youth are not just beneficiaries, youth are partners. Youth are leaders,” he said, urging them to: “Speak up, show up, and lead on… the world is watching Nigeria’s next generation.”
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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