News
VC Harps On Educational Empowerment, Moral Ethics For Youths
The Vice Chancellor, Chrisland University in Ogun State, Prof Chinedum Babalola, has stressed the need for educational empowerment coupled with moral ethics and entrepreneurship skills for youths.
Babalola, the first female pharmacist professor in University of Ibadan. stated this at the 2021 Summit for Youths organised by a nonprofit organisation, Shining Stars Initiative International (SSII) in Ibadan yesterday.
The don noted that the major setback for the country was the set of young ones who were not into formal education hence their restiveness.
The professor noted that the closest thing these sets of youths do for survival often came with crime.
“Another set is youths that are educated but are unemployed. They too sometimes get restive because after going to school they don’t have a job.
“And that is why the curriculum is shifting more toward entrepreneurship. And everyone can practice entrepreneurship; skills acquisition whether they go to school or not.
“But if you go to school, you will be better prepared to play in the global space.
“What we should do right now is to design a curriculum that will look at morals, ethics and religion which we have thrown away and that is why we are where we are.
“So we need to begin to appeal to the conscience of the young ones from nursery and primary levels, letting them know that crime and killings are bad in addition to their entrepreneurship skills.”
She said that entrepreneurship would ensure that youths, who ventured into entrepreneurship were secured, not that they were asked to go to the farm.
“CBN gives them a loan but they are unable to stay in their farms due to insecurity and so they are unable to repay the loans. Insecurity is also born out of bad leadership.
“Educational empowerment is very important, but empowerment should go with moral and ethics,” Babalola said.
She urged youths to dream big and have a vision they could pursue.
“If anyone says school is a scam let them try ignorance,” Babalola said.
Also, the Europe Sector Food Safety Leader at PepsiCo, Opeyemi Sanwo-olu, urged youths to keep improving themselves and be careful in making choices.
He enjoined them to see opportunities in every challenge they faced.
Sanwo-olu said hard work, diligence were what it took to excel, adding that youths should strive for excellence in whatever they did.
The Convener of SSII, Mrs Omokehinde Deji-Akinpelu, urged the participants to believe in themselves and know they could excel and rise above the status-quo, no matter the odds against them.
“They must not allow anything to stop them, not their background or even their past mistakes.
“Youths must have dreams and take full responsibility for its actualisation. They need to be humble to keep learning and get mentored.”
Deji-Akinpelu, who is an engineer, said youths should be compassionate and passionate about meeting needs and solving problems of their immediate environment.
That Shining Stars Initiative International is a non-profit organisation that seeks to mentor youths so that they can identify and actualise their potentials.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene