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NEXIM Tasks Youths, Staff on Self-Improvement and Mentorship Culture

Published

1 month ago

March 26, 2026

Cyril Ogar

The Executive Director, Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Stella Okotete, has called on students and female staff of the bank to prioritise self-investment and mentorship as pathways to personal growth and long-term success.

Okotete made the call during an event held in Abuja to commemorate International Women’s Day, organised for students of Model Girls Junior Secondary School and female staff of NEXIM Bank.

Speaking on the theme, “Give to Gain,” she emphasised that investing time, knowledge, discipline and effort yields confidence, opportunities and success.

Addressing the students, Okotete urged them to remain committed to their studies, build strong character and stay focused on their aspirations.

“Begin early to give your best to your studies, your character and your dreams. When you give respect, you gain respect. When you give effort, you gain excellence. When you give courage to your ambitions, you gain a future filled with possibilities,” she said.

She also encouraged the female staff of the bank to continue mentoring younger generations, noting that their guidance and support were critical in shaping confident future leaders.

“By giving mentorship, guidance and encouragement to these young girls, you are helping to build a stronger and more inclusive society,” she added.

Okotete further urged stakeholders to sustain efforts in providing support, knowledge and inspiration, stressing that such contributions would translate into a brighter future for girls and the nation.

In his remarks, Vice Principal (Administration) of the school, Shagawo Ishaku, advised students to embrace hard work, discipline and resilience as key ingredients for success. He encouraged them to remain focused, explore diverse career paths and take advantage of opportunities for growth.

Ishaku also highlighted the importance of mentorship, noting that guidance from experienced professionals plays a vital role in shaping career direction.

Similarly, a representative of the Board Chairman and Deputy Director, School Services, Abdulrahman Muhammed, urged the students to believe in their abilities and work towards building a better future.

Also speaking, the Head of Human Resources at NEXIM Bank, Margaret Udosi, commended the initiative, describing it as essential for empowering individuals and strengthening communities.

Udosi, however, called for the sustainability of the programme to enable more people to benefit from its objectives.

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FG Targets 50,000 Youths for Digital Jobs, Deepens Partnerships for Nationwide Empowerment Drive

Published

4 hours ago

May 7, 2026

The Gleamer

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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