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China Loan: Group Threatens To Recall Hon. Ossai

Published

4 years ago

August 19, 2020

…Commends Amaechi’s commitment on proposed coastal rail

A group under the aegis of Progressive Grassroots Forum(PGF) in the Niger Delta region has said it would not hesitate to initiate a recall of Hon. Nicholas Ossai, member representing Ndokwa/Ukwani federal constituency in Delta State and Chairman, Committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements, should he continue to probe the loan facility from China which would be used to construct the Lagos-Calabar railway project.

The group also condemned in totality of the move by Hon. Ossai and some leaders in the region serving in the National Assembly to deny the region’s developmental strides of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

In a release made available to the press Tuesday in Abuja, the Progressive Grassroots Forum (PGF) berated Hon. Nicholas Ossai for acting in a manner capable of depriving the region of the coastal rail project which connects Lagos to Calabar and other parts of the South-south region.

It also described as uncharitable the way in which Hon. Nicolas Ossai was handling the investigation, noting that any attempt to truncate the realization of the railway project meant for the people of the area would be vehemently rejected.

The group wondered why a lawmaker from the region who ought to have used his position to cooperate with the Minister of Transportation to bring about the success of the railway project to the people would now become a hindrance to the project.

The statement which reads in parts said ” We must join hands to condemn the move by some Niger Delta Leaders to deny us our share of the developmental strides of the current administration as deserved. We are not happy that our own son, Hon. Nicholas Ossai is the one questioning the rationality of the loans for the proposed rail project coming to the South-south.

” We are particularly disturbed by the development. How on earth would our own brother elected to bring about developments in the region turn against his own people by probing the loan which would bring about overall developments to our people, even when he knows that probing the loan can scare the Chinese from granting Nigeria the loan thereby denying us the project.

” For the avoidance of doubt, let it be made clear that we are not in any way stopping the committee on Treaties, Protocols, and Agreements from performing its job, what we are saying is that the committee chaired by Hon. Ossai should suspend the probe until the loan facility is granted by China.

” The Minister of Transportation Rt.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said it countlessly that should the committee continue with the probe, it may scare the Chinese from granting Nigeria the loan meant for the coastal rail line.

“So it is in this regard that we are calling on the committee Chairman and his members to suspend forthwith, the probe until the loan is granted, to enable the South-south region benefit from the railway project”, it said.

While calling on prominent leaders of the region to call Hon. Ossai to order, the Progressive Grassroots Forum (PGF) warned that any further attempt by Hon. Ossai and his co-travelers to deny the region developments meant for them under the present administration would not be tolerated.

Recall that the Minister of Transportation Rt.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi had in a public hearing of the committee, said the country stand the chance of loosing the loan should the National Assembly continue it’s probe on the project.

The PGF further commended the Transportation Minister for his commitment to job delivery and advised him to continue to push for developments in the South-south region.

” We are particularly happy to have someone like the Minister of Transportation Rt.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as our son has been championing developments in the region right from his days as governor and we know that he is fearless and would not allow anyone to deprive us of having the rail project. We commend his drive-in project delivery particularly the Lagos-Ibadan railway where over 20,000 workers were employed, we pray that he continues to push for the realization of the coastal rail without fear nor intimidation by any person or group of persons that do not mean well for our people”, the statement said.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 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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