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Reps By-election: Hon. Usibe Emerged PDP Flag-bearer

Published

3 years ago

February 4, 2022

…as groups felicitate with the winner

Cyril Ogar, in Ogoja The former commissioner for New Cities Development, Mr. Mike Usibe, has picked the Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives by-election ticket for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency bye-election scheduled for February 26, 2022. Usibe defeated two other contestants as follows.

Usibe scored 184 votes to beat his closest challenger Godwin Offiono scored 45 votes and Mrs. Magaret Odey got 5 votes, there was 1 invalid vote. The primaries took place at Ogoja Recreation Club in Ogoja local government area, in Cross River northern senatorial district of the state on Thursday.

Declaring Usibe the winner, the chairman of the Primary Electoral Panel, Alh Hasan Yakubu, averred that a total of 235 votes were cast with one invalid.INEC monitoring team from Abuja who observed the primary, and members of PDP congress committee observed the process which had large delegates turn out yesterday said the exercise was “conducted in line with INEC guidelines and was, therefore, satisfactory.

The presiding officer and chairman of the Primary Electoral Panel, Alh Hasan Yakubu, described the process as peaceful and orderly, as he declared Usibe as the winner of the primary election having scored the highest number of votes.“Based on the power conferred on me as Returning officer, I hereby declare Mike Usibe as the winner of this primary election.“It is a novelty exercise and in every contest, there must be a winner and a loser as God gives power.

I enjoin other contestants who lost out to take it in good fate.“PDP is not a personal estate, it belongs to all of us. I appeal to all to lay down arms and plead with the winner to carry others along.

In his post-election speech, the PDP Candidate Usibe stated,” I commend all the stakeholders including the delegates, fellow contestants and everyone who played a part in my emergence. I personally call on the contestants to come and let’s work together to deliver the party on Saturday, February 26 by-election.”

In his reaction to Usibe’s Victory, PDP state party chairman, Barr Vena Ikem, Esq, who was excited with the outcome of the poll, charged the PDP to work at all times as a one united and formidable family ahead of the 2023 general where the party shall return to power at all levels.

“It has been an intensive exercise and I promise that the party would bring everybody who took part in the contest to an around the table and see how they can work to deliver the party.

“I love the fighting spirit we witnessed at the beginning of the exercise. That is the spirit of an opposition party ready to win an election. We promise to deliver our candidate.”

While lauding Usibe for the stride, the only female aspirant and a party Chieftain, Mrs. Magaret Odey said:” I see the exercise as free and fair and pledged to resolve every difference for the interest of all of us. We are one PDP family and we look forward to working together to deliver the party.”

Also, Offiono Godwin stated:” I congratulate Usibe and ask the electoral panel to ensure every party has a copy of the result.”Meanwhile, the Ogoja youth forum has congratulated Hon Usibe on his resounding victory at the PDP primary. in a similar vein, Ukelle National Development Forum and other critical stakeholders have congratulated Rt Hon Usibe on his victory at the PDP Reps By-election primary.

In a congratulatory message signed by Barr. Alex Edim on behalf of the chairman Mr. Festus Ekwok made available to Aljazirah News, expresses support to the candidature of Hon Mike Usibe saying that the people’s will has prevailed assuring him of victory come 26th during the main election.

The read in part, “Ukelle national Development forum (UNDF) Abuja chapter, I wish to express our deepest congratulations to the capacity Mike Usibe, on your victory at the just concluded Ogoja/Yala federal constituency bye-election primaries of the PDP, held on Thursday the 3rd day of February 2022, at Ogoja.

Your victory is a practical demonstration of the will of God and the affirmation of the people’s mandate and desire for good governance as epitomized by the exemplary leadership you have shown over time.

They however called on the losers especially his main challenger Offiono Godwin to accept Usibe’s victory as an act of God and work together to ensure the victory of the party at the main election.

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

Published

3 days 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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