News
Int’l Youth Day: We’re Behind You, Tinubu …CSOs Urge FG To Address Youth Unemployment, Others

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day, President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian youths of his optimum support towards achieving their full potentials.
The president gave this assurance in a statement via his verified X handle on Saturday to mark the 2023 International Youth Day.
Tinubu noted that the entire nation is standing behind the Nigerian youth as they pursue their various dreams.
He urged Nigerian youths to embrace the numerous challenges they encounter while chasing their dreams, stressing that they possess the capacity to light up Nigeria.
Tinubu stated, “As you celebrate this International Youth Day, know that you are not alone – the entire nation stands behind you, ready to champion your aspirations.
“Embrace the challenges, chase your dreams, be involved, and continue to be the beacon of hope that lights up our nation. Happy International Youth Day!”
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), International Alert, and International Organization for Migration, have called on President Tinubu and State governors to urgently address rising unemployment, Japa Syndrome, kidnapping, restiveness, drug trafficking, organ sale, and other vices plaguing the country.
The call was made during a media conference to mark the IYD 2023.
The Executive Director, AYGF, Dr Arome Salifu, in an address read by other CSOs, pointed out that the challenges currently confronting young people threatens national development and cohesion, which some dangerous persons had taken advantage to recruit young people into kidnapping, drug trafficking, prostitution, organ harvesting, terrorism and banditry.
Salifu said: “As we stand on the threshold of embracing such a far-reaching and all-encompassing initiative, it is essential that we directly confront the formidable challenges presented to our youthful population within Nigeria.
“Notably, Nigeria’s current population stands at approximately 211 million, a statistic emphasized by the UNFPA’s 2022 report. Equally significant are the projections that anticipate potential increases to 264 million by 2030 and an astounding 300 million by 2036, as highlighted by the World Population Review (2022). In light of these projections, it is our duty to adopt a carefully formulated and expansive strategy aimed at harnessing the immense potential inherent in our youth demographic.
“Currently, a notable disparity exists, with a significant 60% of our population comprising young individuals who lack representation in crucial decision-making processes. This imbalance not only hinders their rightful participation but also fosters government distrust and mounting frustration among our youth.
“In tandem with these disparities, we must confront the stark fact that 86 million Nigerians, or 41% of our population, live in extreme poverty (World Poverty Clock, 2021). Equally concerning are the statistics on youth unemployment, which reached 42.5% in 2020, along with an underemployment rate of 22.8% (National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria, 2022). Further analysis reveals that over 53% of our dynamic 151 million2 youth face unemployment, contributing to a staggering total of 80 million (National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria, 2022). This alarming situation not only perpetuates persistent poverty but also fuels the phenomenon of mass migration, also referred to as the ‘Japa Syndrome’.
“Our Nigerian youth are not passive observers; they actively seek participation in policy formulation and decision-making processes that drive both personal and communal progress. Unfortunately, these aspirations often encounter barriers that prevent their involvement, despite their undeniable relevance. The new government, at all levels; federal and state inclusive, holds a pivotal role in spearheading a comprehensive drive to drastically reduce the pressing challenges of youth unemployment, mass migration, youth poverty, and the exclusion of young voices from policy-making processes”.
He, however, listed some panacea to the challenges youth are contending with in the country.
“By actively involving the youth in policy formulation, the government can tap into a wellspring of innovative ideas and fresh perspectives, thus shaping a narrative that resonates deeply with the aspirations of our society.
“This collaborative approach offers an unprecedented opportunity to establish a robust and forward-looking agenda. Through strategic investments in skills acquisition, job creation, and essential infrastructure development, the government can initiate a transformative ripple effect, effectively addressing youth unemployment, poverty, and the prevailing trend of mass migration.
“Guided by inclusive policy making, this integrated strategy has the potential to not only empower our youth but also steer Nigeria towards a prosperous and harmonious future.
“With Nigeria’s substantial youth population constituting over 70 per cent, there arises a compelling call for democratic participation and inclusive engagement. Recognizing the importance to shape the new Government’s agenda, Africa Youth Growth Foundation and International Alert supported by the European Union and International Organization for Migration are collaborating to create a platform for key decision makers and young people to collaboratively dialogue on youth inclusive development”, he said.
News
Group Tasks IGP On Protection For Justices Of State Election Petitions Tribunal

The National Coalition Against Terrorism, has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure adequate protection for Justices of State Election Petitions Tribunal, as they deliver their judgments in states of the federation.
Mr Terrence Kuanum, the coalition’s National Coordinator said this at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.
Kuanum lauded the Chief Justice of the Federation for boosting the morale of the Justices to enable them deliver courageous judgments across the country.
“The country’s democracy will continue to advance if the judiciary is strengthened to continue with its just judgment as was done in Kano State,” he said.
He appealed to political leaders in states to guide their supporters against heating up the polity and to ensure strict adherence to the tenets of democracy.
“In a democratic dispensation like ours, it is believed that leaders of thoughts should be of good conscience and imbibe democratic principles, especially in the area of law and order.
“Political leaders are to guide their supporters and ensure strict adherence to the tenets of democracy.
“The recent Election Petitions Tribunal judgments across the country are a welcome development where irregularities during the 2023 general elections were challenged and some upturned while others were upheld,” he said.
Kuanum said that there was growing tension in the camp of those who lost at the tribunal, saying the development to an extent, was being curtailed by some political leaders who understood democracy and its value.
He said that most worrisome, was the threat by the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Kano State who were members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
“However, since the tribunal judgment, the Kwankwasiyya movement is threatening the justices and judicial officers for been courageous enough to deliver just judgment.
“They have threatened to kill and make Kano worse than Zamfara.
“We all know what Zamfara is at the moment,”the coalition national coordinator said.
He added that for members of the Kwankwasiyya movement to be making open statements and raining insult on the justices on daily basis, it meant they had the protection of some individuals in the state.
“We call on the I-G to immediately arrest the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement for proper interrogation over threat to life and peaceful co-existence in Kano State.
“We need urgent security measures to secure first, the judicial official and their residences, especially the Appeal Court Justices who reside in Kano State.
“With this imminent threat by the Kwankwassiya movement, if cautious measures are not put in place, we would be faced with another insurgent threat on our hands.
“And that will spell doom for all the efforts made by President Bola Tinubu in wooing investors into the country and pose as a threat to our nascent democracy,” he said.
Kuanum cautioned members of the group to desist from intimidating the judiciary, saying that the law was not base on sentiment but facts before it.
“Our democracy is matured enough, a reason section 65 sub section (2) of the Electoral Act provide room to seek redress at the tribunal or any court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
The Kano State Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal had on Sept. 20 declared Dr Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the dully elected governor of the state, voiding the election of Gov. Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP).
News
EFCC Records 3,785 Convictions In 2022
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it recorded 3,785 convictions in 2022, and that the figure represents the highest in a single year since the establishment of the commission.
The Head of the Legal and Prosecution Department of the commission in Makurdi, Mr. Ramiah Ikhanaede, disclosed this during his presentation at the workshop on Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes held in Makurdi, Benue State.
Speaking on the challenges of prosecuting economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, Mr. Ikhanaede pointed out that the commission was making progress in its fight against financial crime and would continue to sustain the tempo with the support of the media.
Ikhanaede, however, listed some of the challenges being faced by the commission while prosecuting its cases to include among others, societal and economic factors as well as lacunas in the nation’s laws.
He noted that despite the challenges “the EFCC recorded its highest convictions in 2022 with the convictions of 3,785 suspects.”
Speaking on the successes recorded in Benue, the Head of the Legal and Prosecution said the Commission recorded 107 convictions in the state since the establishment of the Zonal Command in 2019.
According to him, “In 2019, we had 16 convictions; in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, we had nine convictions; in 2022, we recorded 39, while 43 convictions have been recorded in 2023 and the year has not ended. So despite the challenges, we are actually making progress as a Commission.”
Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol, in a goodwill message read by the Zonal Commander, Friday Ebelo, said the workshop was designed to upgrade the skill of Journalists to enable them effectively discharge their duties as financial crime reporters.
He said: “Today’s workshop is the ninth in the series by the Commission this year but the first outing in Makurdi Zonal Command. The decision to engage you all in a training session is buoyed by the appreciation of the fact that you occupy a strategic place in the fight against corruption.
“You are the vehicle through which the EFCC reaches the Nigerian public with information about our operations. You also play crucial roles in helping to mobilize the people to embrace the fight against corruption. This makes the media one of the most critical allies of the EFCC,” he added.
Chukkol urged the media to continue to align itself with the progressive aspirations of Nigerians, to see that corruption was reduced to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminated.
He said, “On this score, I would like the media to educate family members and friends of politicians and others holding political offices that they run the risk of going to jail if they allow their companies or bank accounts to be used to launder proceeds of illegal activities. Under the Money Laundering Act, 2022 family members and close allies of politicians and public office holders, including top civil servants, are now classified as Politically Exposed Persons, PEP.
“The EFCC is determined to ensure that anyone who steals from the public treasury and all those who assist them to do so under whatever guise, are brought to justice and ignorance of the law will not be an excuse.
“I won’t conclude this remark without reminding us of the challenge which we face with the involvement of youths in cybercrime within the zone. This development, in spite of the enforcement and enlightenment efforts of the Commission is worrisome. I therefore appeal to the media to lend a hand in helping to sensitize the youth against internet-related fraud activities. The youth must be reminded that they can productively use the resources available in cyberspace for legitimate pursuits without embracing criminality.”
Speaking on Investigative Journalism and Nigeria Fight Against Money Laundering, an Assistant Commander in the Commission, Dele Oyewale, urged the media to take the lead in the fight against economic and financial crimes through incisive investigative reports that would also help the Commission in its fight against the menace of financial crimes.
He said: “The media should also educate Nigerians on the provisions of the New Money Laundering Act which bars individuals from making payments beyond N5million in cash and firms and corporate organisations cannot also do same beyond N10million.”
Also, the Head of Advance Fee Fraud Section of the Command, Stephanie Philip, who spoke on Trends, Peculiarities and Challenges of Cybercrimes Enforcement in Nigeria, decried the rate young persons had resorted to materialism which had driven the rate of Cybercrime in the country saying “according to Interswitch, N12.2billion was lost by banks in six months of 2023 in the country. And N911billion was lost to Ponzi schemes in 23 Years in the country.”
News
Independence Day: FG Declares Monday Public Holiday

In commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary, the Federal Government has declared Monday, October 2, 2023, as a public holiday.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration in Abuja yesterday, on behalf of the Federal Government, according to a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade.
The minister assured Nigerians of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s continued commitment to tackling challenges facing the country.
“It is today a known fact that difficult socio-economic and security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not isolated.
“The government is daily making efforts to confront these varied and numerous challenges with all the might available until respite comes our way,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Tunji-Ojo said the greatness ahead of the country was achievable if all citizens worked together in unity.
“Our warm welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land makes Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world being Africa’s pride and beacon of hope for the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While wishing the citizens a memorable independence celebration, the Minister recalled that our founding fathers, despite the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, came together for Nigeria’s freedom which we enjoy today.
“The minister assured that this Administration through the Renewed Hope Agenda will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past,” the statement added.
Recall that the Federal Government had, last Wednesday, said this year’s Independence Day will not feature a ceremony at the Eagle Square, Abuja, but will be held “low-key,”.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume who disclosed this said this year’s Independence Day would be “a time for reflections…to think very deeply as a people and the journey forward.”c
Akume revealed this to State House Correspondents after he emerged from a closed-door talk with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. c
The former Minister of Special Duties, who was reluctant to reveal details of the issues discussed, said it bordered on plans for the Independence Day. c
“Independence is a historic event for any country and we Nigerians are no exemptions. c
“We are fully prepared for celebrations and for obvious reasons, it is going to be low-key and we are wishing Nigerians the best of luck and I want to assure them that better days are coming and pretty soon too,” he noted. c
On the modalities of this year’s edition, Akume revealed, “This is going to be low key; we are not going on fantastic jamboree at the Eagle Square and other locations. c
“It’s a time for reflections…to think very deeply as a people. This journey is being charted by the captain of the ship.”
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Gov Woos Investors In Agriculture, Others At UNGA 78
-
News4 days ago
50% Nigerian Girls Out Of School, UNICEF Alerts
-
News3 hours ago
Trump Boycotts Republican Primary Debate
-
Business2 hours ago
Seme Customs Intercepts 62 African Parrots On- Hawk
-
Education4 days ago
Education: UNICEF Raises Fresh Concern Over Learning Crisis In Nigeria
-
Politics4 days ago
I’m Not Afraid Of Appeal – Gawuna
-
News3 hours ago
Workers Demand Umahi’s Removal As Minister Locks 300 Staff Out For Lateness
-
Sports4 days ago
Navy To Sponsor Team In NPL