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Youth Ministry Launches Empowerment Initiative to Promote Circular Economy, Job Creation, and Climate Action
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in partnership with SAMU Technology and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), has launched the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI), a bold programme designed to tackle unemployment, boost economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability.
At the launch in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative goes beyond job creation, aiming to raise a new generation of Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and nation-builders.
He described the programme as a landmark achievement under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the administration’s commitment to empowering young people and building a greener, more inclusive economy.
“At the heart of the initiative is the flagship Waste to Wealth Project, which seeks to transform waste into valuable, eco-friendly products while creating sustainable green jobs for Nigerian youth. Through this programme, young people will gain practical skills, mentorship, and access to green technologies, along with opportunities to showcase their innovations in both local and international markets. A dedicated Waste to Wealth online platform has also been launched to serve as a hub for registration, networking, investment access, and market expansion,” the Minister said.
The Minister further highlighted complementary programmes of the Ministry, which according to him, include : the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) focused on youth protection and capacity-building; ongoing digital literacy initiatives in partnership with NITDA; and the launch of “YO! Health”, a new mental health and wellness hub. He also announced the rollout of the Youth Cred Scheme, in partnership with Credit Core, which will expand access to loans for young people and lay the foundation for a Youth Bank, MSME Incubator, and National Innovation Hub.
He further stated that reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are underway to better reflect the aspirations of today’s Generation Z and Millennial populations.
He emphasized that CEYEI will be implemented nationwide, covering all 36 states and more than 774 local government areas, with inclusivity at its core, ensuring equal access to opportunities for young people across regions and backgrounds.
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, noted that Nigeria faces a humanitarian crisis affecting over 3 million people ,with a global funding gap of $36 billion.He urged stakeholders to invest in youth-led waste-to-wealth initiatives that can generate jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen national resilience.
In his own remarks,the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, stated that CEYEI is designed to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian youth, enabling them to turn discarded materials into sustainable livelihoods.
Also speaking, Blessing Ekwere, representing the President of RAN, described CEYEI as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to making young people not just beneficiaries of development, but drivers of change. By reducing waste, reusing resources, and recycling materials, the initiative will help lower emissions, grow the circular economy, and empower young Nigerians to take the lead in climate action.
News
DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development
Cyril Samania
The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.
Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.
He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.
According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.
He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.
Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.
He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.
Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.
He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.
Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.
He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.
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