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Buhari’s Next Level Agenda Provides Ray of Hope for Children, Youth – Permanent Secretary
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu-Gekpe, has said the Next Level Agenda of the Buhari Administration has revived the hope of the Nigerian youth in attaining their full potentials by unlocking their talents and creative abilities.
Deaconess Gekpe stated this in Abuja on Monday at the Second Edition of “Rainbow Art: Unlocking Creativity with the theme: A New NIGERIA; the Hope of the Nigerian Child and Youth.”
“As the current administration has begun its journey to take Nigerians to the next level and calibrating a new Nigeria where there is an opportunity for all, we believe that there is certainly hope for the Nigerian child and youth.
“The hope is hinged on tangible actions such as empowerment of the citizenry and lifting the people out of poverty. By focusing on the creative acumen of our children and youth, this laudable initiative is galvanizing them for a brighter and prosperous future,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary stressed the need to focus more on children and youth by creating veritable platforms for social and economic empowerment, which will steer them away from engaging in unproductive ventures.
“Indeed, talents abound among children and youth but the institutions to harness these talents are limited. I am glad that National Gallery of Art is consistently harnessing the boundless talents of our children and youth,” she said.
In his remarks, the Acting Director General of the National Gallery of Art, Dr. Simon Ikpakronyi, said the organization commenced the Rainbow Art Creative Series in 2014 aimed at harnessing and showcasing the creativity and talents of Nigerian children and youth.
He said the organization is exploring the platform of visual arts to inculcate the idea of advocacy, democracy, and nationhood in the teeming children and youth.
The event featured a cultural display by school children, fashion parade, a performance by students of the FCT School for Blind and Art Exhibition.
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Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy
Joel Ajayi
After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.
He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.
“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.
“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.
Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.
On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.
“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.
International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”
Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.
“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.
With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.
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