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Osun Govt victimizing us, Motorcyclists cries out

Published

6 years ago

April 16, 2019

Commercial motorcyclists in Osun state have cried out over alleged victimisation by the government of the state.

The motorcyclists stated that the government has embarked on arresting and detaining them for offence they did not commit.

One of the motorcyclists who spoke with our correspondent said two of them have been detained in Ilesa prison since last week Thursday because they protested against extortion by officials of the Osun Traffic Marshal, O’TRAM.

The motorcyclists had on Thursday, barricaded the popular Olaiya junction, Osogbo, Osun state capital, in protest against alleged extortion by officials of O’TRAM.

They caused traffic gridlock for some minutes before the intervention of policemen who dispersed them.

The O’TRAM was established under the Ministry of Transportation by the former Governor Rauf Aregbesola to arrest any motorcyclist that fail to use helmet or violate traffic rules

The motorcyclists alleged that officials of the O’TRAM have been extorting them, thus preventing them from carrying out their job easily.

On Thursday morning, the motorcyclists alleged that the officials of the O’TRAM arrested one of them and ordered him to pay N5,000 to the account of state government while they released two persons who they might have collected money from them.

Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, Adeyemo Olamilekan, blamed the leadership of the motorcyclists for the ‘unfair treatment and harassment’ they are facing from police and government officials.

He alleged that their leadership are collecting N50 from them daily while the policemen and O’TRAM also disturb them. He frowned at the refusal of their leadership to intervene whenever they have problem.

He said, “We are paying N50 to the association everyday. Police will collect their own. O’TRAM will also disturb us. When they kill our members and collected their motorcycle, neither the police nor the union will do anything.

He said two of them that were arrested on Thursday have been remanded in Ilesa prison and have not been released.
Taiwo Olasunbo, who was the victim, admitted that he was wrong for attempting to ply one way, accusing officials of the state government of unfair treatment.

He said, “It is true that I wanted to ply one way at Ayetoro area, Osogbo, when they arrested me and immediately wrote N5,000 for me. I was begging them when I saw another person they arrested. I asked why they released him and they didn’t give any excuse.

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Olawande’s 21st Century Skills initiative, A Move Towards Re-fertilization Of Nigerian Youths

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Transforming the Nigeria youths to equip the current and future generations with 21st century skills is important. The Africa and National Youth Day 2024 is therefore a historic moment to put a need 21st century skills at the forefront toward the the growth and development of all.

Nigeria as a nation has made meaningful progress in education over the past 60 years, with more girls in school and more students in Higher education system than ever before.

Reports showed that School completion rates have increased from 2000 to 2022 at all levels.

Still, these gains are insufficient to prepare Nigerians youth for the 21st century and its fast-changing professional landscape. By 2030, roughly 60 million jobs iin Nigeria and 230 million in Africa will demand digital skills. Classroom practices must shift to meet these future employability needs and nurture creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Nigeria recorded the largest population of young people in the continent of Africa that means a 21st century skills is critical to to equip the current and future generations.

Based on this, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande who has been promoter and advocate of digital skiill even before he became Minister has once again initiate digital literacy programmes, technical skills empowerment and leadership insight and urged young people to actively develop and adopt crucial 21st-century skills to effectively combat the rising issue of unemployment.

When he was Minister Youth for State, he introducing the Youth Development Fund to support young entrepreneurs, implementing the Youth Empowerment Program, training over 10,000 young people in vocational skills, establishing the Youth Mentorship Initiative, pairing young people with experienced professionals, and developing the National Youth Policy, providing a framework for youth development.

He also initiated the “One Youth One Ward” initiative to tackle drug abuse, established the Youth Innovation Hub, hosted the National Youth Conference, rolled out the Youth Volunteer Program, fostered partnerships with private sector organizations amongst others.

He has implement innovative programs, foster strategic partnerships, and demonstrated unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Now Minister of Youth without doubt has been at the forefront of this journey, demonstrating unwavering dedication to empowering Nigerians youth even from his school days.

Comrade Ayodele Olawande made this appeal today in Abuja during the Africa and National Youth Day Celebration with the theme : ‘ Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century’ and sub-theme: ‘Building a Resilient Education System: A New Hope for Nigerian Youth’,

He said such skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and effective communications are essential tools for navigating the increasingly competitive job markets.

Olawande strongly advocated for the youth of Nigeria to prioritize the investment of their time and put efforts in developing a diverse range of essential skills and competencies by actively engaging in the pursuit that can significantly enhance their employability that will make them attractive candidates before their potential employers.

According to the Minister, “acquiring these skills will equip youth to confidently navigate the complexities and demands of an increasingly competitive job market, where adaptability and innovation are crucial. This proactive approach plays a vital role in addressing the rising unemployment crisis that has been affecting many young Nigerians today.”

“Through dedicated skill development, they can not only improve their job prospects but also lay the groundwork for sustainable career growth and success in the long run. In this rapidly evolving economic landscape, embracing continuous learning and professional development is not just beneficial; it is essential for achieving one’s career aspirations,” he explained.

The Minister further explained that the theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” serves as a powerful endorsement of the One Youth Two Skills initiative, adding that it will foster practical skills alongside formal education.

Olawande stated : “This initiative aims to empower youth and create sustainable employment opportunities. Ultimately, the initiative is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to eliminate unemployment and promote economic growth across the continent”.

In his paper presentation, Professor Ahmed Adamu, a lecturer at Nile University, Abuja, stated that by next year, 85 million jobs will be lost due to technological advancements, while 97 million new jobs are expected to be created.

Professor Adamu stressed that the future job market will heavily favour those individuals who proactively seek to acquire new skills and adapt to the evolving technological landscape.

Adamu said that for one to go far in whatever they are doing, they must be self-disciplined, duly intelligent and have the consistency in learning.

However, the minister of Youth led the teaming youths on a road walk from the Ministry to BMO Event Centre to Celebrate Africa and National Youth Day.

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