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National Youth Investment Fund to Champion Women and Youth with Disabilities-Olawande
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through innovative programmes, inclusive policies, and strategic partnerships.
He made this known at the Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables – 2025 Mid-Term Review, held in Abuja, where he presented the Ministry’s performance report.
According to the Minister, the Ministry has not only met but exceeded its second-quarter targets: 14,509 youth trained in digital skills (target: 10,000); 97,212 engaged in mentorship and career development (target: 80,000); 5,023 trained in crime reduction and peace-building (target: 2,500); over 250,000 enrolled in the Nigerian Youth Academy; 5,700 Help Desk cases processed with 3,407 resolved; and ₦31.6 million generated from Youth Centres (target: ₦11 million).
He further announced that a dedicated window of the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) will target women and youth with disabilities, alongside new partnerships with women’s groups, disability organisations, and the private sector, supported by clear performance indicators.
Speaking at the retreat, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gutier Migot, reaffirmed the European Union’s strong partnership with the Ministry.
He praised the Ministry’s leadership, noting past collaborations such as the 2021 National Youth Conference and the 2024 CSO Stakeholders’ Forum, which informed the new National Youth Action Plan. Migot also highlighted ongoing EU-backed initiatives, including the D SAFE Project (with UNFPA), the Nigeria Jubilee Fellowship Programme, Digital Transformation Centres, and the EU Agricultural Value Chain Facility, while commending the resilience of Nigerian youth.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, officially opened the retreat, describing it as a strategic moment for reflection and renewed commitment.
He emphasised the Ministry’s focus on strengthening coordination, enhancing performance management, building staff capacity, and creating flexible, sustainable structures.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, commended the Minister’s vision. He highlighted NYSC’s contributions: 56,013 corps members trained in digital skills (including 2,920 women in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre), 385,461 engaged in SAED since June 2023, and 1,118 supported to establish businesses.
He reaffirmed NYSC’s commitment to partnerships that advance youth empowerment and national development.
Also speaking, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), described the retreat as a timely opportunity to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She stressed that Nigeria’s future depends on nurturing responsible, patriotic, and ethical youth, reaffirmed CLTC’s commitment to collaboration, and encouraged participants to contribute innovative ideas to shape youth policy under the theme: “Build the Youth, Build the Nation.”
News
Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran
Joel Ajayi
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.
In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.
According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.
“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.
The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.
The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.
Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.
The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.
“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.
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