Business
Al-Mustapha Urges State Govts On Youth Dev
Former Chief Security Of
ficer (CSO) to late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha , Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, on Saturday, urged state governments to initiate programmes that would aid in harnessing the potentials of youths in the country.
Al-mustapha, who is the President and Chief Executive of the Al-Mustapha Poverty, Unity Development Initiative (APUDI), made the call when he visited the deputy governor of Gombe State, Mr. Tha’anda Rubainu in Gombe.
He said that he was meeting and discussing with various youth groups in the country, with a view to recommending how their potentials could be developed.
He called on governments to study the report his organization and some youth groups in the country, would be compiling at the end of the exercise.
According to him, prior to his arrest and subsequent incarceration, he was working with various youth groups and associations on how best to empower the younger generation.
The former CSO said after he regained freedom in June last year, he decided to consolidate on the gains he had made in that direction.
“Prior to my arrest and incarceration for 15 years, we were working tirelessly for the country, along with many responsible youth associations from the southern part of Nigeria, and northern part of this country.
“We played several roles aimed at promoting the wellbeing of our fellow brothers and sisters, who were in need, the objective of which was to have an environment that is free of violence, mutual suspicion and insurgency,” he said.
Al-Mustapha thanked the people of Gombe state, for supporting him during his travails in the prison, saying he would dedicate himself to the development of the youths.
The former CSO recalled how a soldier from Gombe went to buy him food and on his way, had an accident and later died.
“We are committed to the restoration of hope, where confidence is lost, or restoration of confidence where hope is lost.”, he added.
Responding, Rubainu commended Al-Mustapha for having the passion for peace and unity, as well as youth development and empowerment.
The deputy governor assured him that the government and people of the state, would support his mission and vision.
The Tide source reports that Al-Mustapha’s entourage was received by a mammoth crowd of his admirers, who later escorted him to the palace of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
