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Assent FUTOG Bill, group appeals to Buhari

Published

5 years ago

August 20, 2019

The Greater Ogoja Development Initiative (GODI) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ogoja (FUTO) passed by the National Assembly.

Prof. Odey Osha, the Spokesperson of GODI made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday at a news conference tagged “Making the Voice of Northern Cross River Count.’’

He said the bill seeking the establishment of the university had been passed by both chambers of the 8th National Assembly.

He said the institution was paramount to the people of Ogoja who were desirous of accessing quality education to drive nation building.

“It is axiomatic fact that knowledge will forever govern ignorance.

“The fact that you have an avalanche of requests for establishment of tertiary institutions does not vitiate the imperativeness of citizens’ desire for education.

“The passage of the bill is necessary to addressing the teething challenges faced by Nigerians in their respective geographical locations,’’ he said.

Osha added that the northern fringes of the old Ogoja province, configured into Bekwarra, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas had resolved that the university be established in Ogoja.

He disclosed that land had been provided for the purpose.

“Ogoja was promised a university as early as 1975 and surreptitiously short-changed by the powers that be on the ground of a minor disagreement between the host communities.

“Today, we have come of age to ask for what is rightly our own. Ogoja has been greatly marginalised in terms of federal tertiary education,’’ he said.

Osha noted that the establishment of the university would not only benefit the people of Ogoja but also serve as a catchment university to the people of Enugu, Benue, Ebonyi and Taraba states.

Mr Godwin Akoli, the Coordinator of the initiative said that the establishment of a university in Ogoja would add to development in the socio-economic activities of the people.

According to him, from Ogoja to Calabar, the state capital is 304 km, a far distance to anyone seeking knowledge within the state.

He said, if established, the university would create 6,000 direct jobs, thereby reducing unemployment rate in the country.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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