News
FG Renews Pledge to Prioritize Youth Empowerment Nationwide
Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to placing young Nigerians at the center of national development, declaring that the youth “will not be sidelined in Nigeria’s progress.”
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Akeem Gbajabiamila, the President made this statement at the Nigeria Youth Academy (NIYA) Startup Grant Award Ceremony and the official launch of NIYA Gigs, held today at the State House Conference Hall, Abuja.
President Tinubu noted that his dedication to youth empowerment is deeply personal, acknowledging the significant and historic role young Nigerians continue to play in driving innovation, civic engagement, and cultural influence across the world.
He highlighted the administration’s broad economic reform agenda aimed at unlocking the full potential of young people. According to him, all youth-focused interventions are guided by a long-term vision to eliminate bureaucratic, financial, and structural barriers that stand in the way of youth ambition.
The President announced strengthened government support across key sectors such as technology, agriculture, manufacturing, the creative economy, and green energy. He described these investments as part of a deliberately designed empowerment ecosystem that provides multiple pathways for young innovators to thrive.
In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, emphasized that Nigeria’s demographic reality with over 65% of its population under 30 and a median age of just above 18 presents an unparalleled opportunity to secure long-term national prosperity.
According to the Minister, the NIYA Startup Programme and NIYA Gigs are practical, hands-on initiatives aimed at preparing young Nigerians for the modern economy. Through structured training, mentorship, digital skills development, and entrepreneurship support, these programmes are designed to unlock the creativity, resilience, and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s youth.
“These programs are not abstract concepts,” he said. “They are real, immediate pathways for young Nigerians to earn, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Olawande reiterated the administration’s goal of democratizing opportunity, adding that recent economic reforms have dismantled historical barriers that previously limited youth access to markets, foreign exchange, and business opportunities.
“You no longer need long connections or privileged access to succeed in Nigeria,” he declared. “What you need now is talent, discipline, creativity, and courage. This government is ensuring that every young Nigerian regardless of background has a fair chance to prosper.”
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms are already “democratizing opportunities” for young people. Unlike in the past, when access to business opportunities and foreign exchange depended heavily on personal connections, today’s economic environment rewards talent, competence, and determination.
He stressed that barriers that once stifled youth entrepreneurship have been removed, paving the way for a new generation of innovators across various sectors.
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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