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Olawande commends the launch of OSNI

Published

7 months ago

March 5, 2024

….Describes it as a significant boost to the NIYA initiative of the Youth Ministry

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has commended the launch of the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OSNI) by Vice President Kashim Shettima, adding that it would offer a great boost to the ongoing efforts to curb youth unemployment in the country through the soon-to-be launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA).

Olawande, who gave the commendation today in Abuja, said
the Nigerian Youth Academy, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is aimed at training youths in market driven skills that will empower them to contribute significantly to the economic development of the country

Performing the launch in Gombe on Monday, the Vice President noted that the OTNI is a strategic initiative to redirect the talents and skills that abound in the country and to deliver millions of job opportunities.

“Today, we are not just presenting to you the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) with the honourable aim of taking over the world; we present to you a lens to see the needs of the world, a bridge to interact with the world, and a vehicle to reach the world from the comfort of your offices and homes in Nigeria,” the Vice President had said.

Speaking further on the launch which he described as “another huge step in the fight against youth unemployment,” the Minister said the OTNI would now offer a more extensive platform for the utilization of the skills and talents that the NIYA would spring.

According to him, “What we are planning to do with the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYa) is to provide free training in all high-demand skill areas, and to also make the platform a meeting point for all the youths we train and employers who wish to engage their services. OTNI has just expanded the opportunities we hope to deliver with NiYA.”

Olawande, who said many youths in Nigeria would soon have no excuse to remain idle, emphasized that OTNI’s digital platform, WorkNation, with the objective of helping partners find, train and deploy talents, would greatly expand the reach and impact of NIYA.

“Collaboration is key in government business. So, I’m already envisaging a collaboration in which WorkNation serves as a sort of off taker for some of the youths we train in NiYA, thereby providing more extensive job openings beyond the academy,” the Minister maintained.

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Former Minister Sunday Dare Celebrates Late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle

Published

12 hours ago

September 18, 2024

The Gleamer

…Calls on Ogbomoso to compete for power in Oyo state.

Joel Ajayi

The Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland and the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Akin Dare has joined family, friends, relatives, and good people of Ogbomosoland to celebrate the life of a veteran Civil War hero and an eminent Ogbomoso-born Nigerian Army officer, late Brigadier-General Benjamin Maja Adekunle, otherwise known as Black Scorpion.

In a statement released recently, the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland noted that the 10th anniversary remembrance of the veteran General is not just a celebration of his history, but a reflection of the bravery and patriotism of a

man who risked his life on behalf of our country and citizens. Chief Sunday Dare acknowledged that: “As a General, he was first amongst equals, and we as his people, are proud of the legacy that he left behind”.

Chief Sunday Dare explained that the sense of purpose and commitment to something greater than one’s self, is a cornerstone of a soldier’s life, which late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle exemplified. He signposted a life of enduring symbol of bravery, and compassion. He served Nigeria well.

“The story of the battle for Nigeria’s soul and eventual unity cannot be complete without a generous mention of late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle, a.k.a Black Scorpion. He was a patriot who loved his country and gave his all. He revealed to the world that Ogbomoso’s sons and daughters were no bystanders or minions. But that, Ogbomoso sons and daughters are brilliant

and brave, courageous and compassionate, patriotic and powerful. And above all, that Ogbomoso is a land of warriors; ever ready to make necessary sacrifices for the unity of her people and her land”.

Furthermore, Chief Sunday Dare stated that: “Late General Benjamin Adekunle has joined the league of Ogbomoso icons like the late Premier of Western Region Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the late Soun Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III, the late Governor of Oyo State Otunba Alao-Akala, the late Inspector General of Police Chief Sunday Adewusi and many other heroes of democracy from Ogbomosoland who made priceless sacrifices for the unity and peace of Nigeria.

For late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle, no task was a burden and no sacrifice was too high: for he loved his people even as he understood that his call to duty carried a risk to his own life. He brought to life courage and patriotism that remains unequaled”. “Out of curiosity, I searched for the deeper meaning of a Scorpion. General

Benjamin Adekunle was nicknamed the Black Scorpion largely due to his exploits as a soldier. I found out that Scorpions are symbols of protection, transformation, independence, solitude, and intelligence.

In addition, Scorpions are also a symbol of death and rebirth, a symbol of power. We stop here. For us, the spirit of the Black Scorpion must rekindle in us the desire to lead. Not just in our land of Ogbomoso, but in our Oyo State. Let Ogbomoso no longer play the second fiddle in Oyo State. Let Ogbomoso speak with one political voice. Let Adekunle’s spirit summon us all to a new cause in this dispensation.

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