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Maryam Amin

The Honorable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has challenged youths to put political differences aside and join hands together to develop the nation.

The Minister, gave this charge while addressing a group of youths in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

Olawande disclosed that he was in the state in continuation of his engagement with young people across the country.

“I know this is a PDP state, but it is now time for governance and not politics. It is time we put aside party affiliations in order to build Nigeria. He said

While emphasizing his campaign on skill acquisition, he said,
“Like I said yesterday during the engagement with fellow youths in Cross River State, my message here this afternoon will be the same. It’s time young people prioritize skill acquisition if we must bury the monster of unemployment bedeviling our generation.”

Olawande in a message signed by the Head Press and Public Relations Maryam Umar Yusuf and made available to journalists in Abuja on 2nd of March, 2024 pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is devoted to youth development, noting that the President has shown his commitment by giving the youths a significant space in his administration as a demonstration of his belief in the talent and capacity of an average Nigerian young person to discharge his or her responsibility effectively.

He reiterated the need for the youth to set aside party differences and focus on making sure their generation justify the perennial quest for inclusion in governance through the success of their representatives in leadership positions, and the government they serve.

Speaking further on skill acquisition, the Minister said, “The fundamental responsibility we have now is to support this government, we, the youths must be ready to benefit from various opportunities that are available to us, especially in the area of skill acquisition. We must be ready to learn as many skills as possible because it is our most valued asset towards nation-building. As I always say, everywhere I go, it is unacceptable for any Nigerian youth not to have a minimum of 2 skills.”

The Minister interacted with various youth bodies in the state, including religious groups, student associations, and artisans, among others.

Olawande, who later had a private audience with the state Governor, His Excellency Governor Umo Eno also interacted with Corps members at the Akwa-Ibom NYSC Orientation Camp.

Maryam Aminu

The Global Alliance for Peace and Unity GAPU, in the bid to increase efforts towards national unity, paid an advocacy visit to the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Plateau State, Prof. Tersoo Oliver Agundu

Speaking during the visit on Wednesday the 28th of February, 2024 the President of the Association, Hon. Solomon Pevkyaa noted that the group is out to preach against violence and a peaceful Nigeria

Acknowledging the significant role Agundu played in mitigating violence during the election, Pevkyaa said
the successful conduct of the 2023 elections, amidst some challenging circumstances in the state, not only demonstrated the REC’s capacity but showed he is a lover of peace

The organisation described the REC as one of the best RECs that conducted credible election that brought about peace and unity in the city.

“In many countries, elections are a flashpoint for violence. Yet the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Plateau State raised awareness and advocated for change around issues of electoral violence and saw peaceful election in the state.”

Listing out some of the organisation’s achievements, Pevkyaa reiterated GAPU’s commitment to attaining global peace

He informed Prof. Agundu of the planned Peace Summit to be held in April 2024, and extended an early invitation to him

For the deft handling of men and materials during the conduct of the 2023 elections, for facing his assignment with practiced decorum and for giving integrity to the electoral process which in return brought about peace and unity in the state, GAPU decorated the Resident Electoral Commissioner with a peace medal and awarded him a Certificate of Commendation

Welcoming the group, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Plateau State, Prof. Tersoo Oliver Agundu thanked the group for noticing and appreciating his efforts in ensuring peace in Nigeria during and after the election

The REC expressed concern about the growing hate, division, religious intolerance and other forms of unrest in Nigeria

Explaining further, he said religion and politics are not meant to divide us, but rather to bring citizens together in growth, progress and development.

“When we were growing up, we had muslim family friends and neighbours who visit us during the Christmas season and we also do same during Sallah but today people are scared of associating with one another due to insecurity. How did we get to this state? Peace and Unity must be restored” he said

He therefore promised to partner with GAPU in major programmes that promotes and sustain peace

“As a REC, I will continue to appeal to Nigerians particularly the youth to restrain from killing themselves for desperate politicians.” He assured

Maryam Aminu

In line with his “One youth, two skills” initiative, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has charged corps members on the need to equip themselves with market driven skills while serving the country in order to secure their future

The Minister, who gave the charge while on a working visit to the Asaya National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), orientation camp, Kabba, Kogi state, noted that this will empower them to play a significant role in developing the economy of the nation.

Olawande posited that the future of Nigeria would be greatly enhanced when the youths harnessed their potential and skills.

The Minister, who was welcomed to the orientation camp by the Kogi State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Williams M.A. said he was in the camp to check on the corps members whom he described as “my people.”

Addressing the corps members, the minister urged them to endeavour to learn skills, stating that the future of Nigeria depends largely on the number of its skilled youths.

He lamented that due to lack of skill, some job opportunities that should have been given to Nigerian youths, especially in the private sector, are being taken by foreign nationals.

While speaking on the effort of his Ministry to change the narrative, Olawande said, *”At the Ministry of Youth Development, we are encouraging every Nigerian youth to learn new skills. We are setting up the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), which would be a platform for every willing youth of this country to learn skills free of charge. For me, it is unacceptable for any Nigerian youth not to learn at least two skills.”

He further said, “We will keep doing our best to support every willing youth to acquire skills that are relevant to the needs of the global labour market.”

Before leaving the camp, Hon. Olawande inspected the facilities such as the hostels, clinic, kitchen, and the mammy market.

Earlier in her welcome address, the coordinator, Mrs. Williams appreciated the minister for visiting the camp.

She likened the presence of the minister to that of the president, stating that the Kogi State NYSC family was honored to have a representative of the president in the midst of corps members in camp.

In line with his “One youth, two skills” initiative, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande has charged corps members on the need to equip themselves with market driven skills while serving the country in order to secure their future

The Minister, who gave the charge while on a working visit to the Asaya National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), orientation camp, Kabba, Kogi state, noted that this will empower them to play a significant role in developing the economy of the nation.

Olawande posited that the future of Nigeria would be greatly enhanced when the youths harnessed their potential and skills.

The Minister, who was welcomed to the orientation camp by the Kogi State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Williams M.A. said he was in the camp to check on the corps members whom he described as “my people.”

Addressing the corps members, the minister urged them to endeavour to learn skills, stating that the future of Nigeria depends largely on the number of its skilled youths.

He lamented that due to lack of skill, some job opportunities that should have been given to Nigerian youths, especially in the private sector, are being taken by foreign nationals.

While speaking on the effort of his Ministry to change the narrative, Olawande said, *”At the Ministry of Youth Development, we are encouraging every Nigerian youth to learn new skills. We are setting up the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), which would be a platform for every willing youth of this country to learn skills free of charge. For me, it is unacceptable for any Nigerian youth not to learn at least two skills.”

He further said, “We will keep doing our best to support every willing youth to acquire skills that are relevant to the needs of the global labour market.”

Before leaving the camp, Hon. Olawande inspected the facilities such as the hostels, clinic, kitchen, and the mammy market.

Earlier in her welcome address, the coordinator, Mrs. Williams appreciated the minister for visiting the camp.

She likened the presence of the minister to that of the president, stating that the Kogi State NYSC family was honored to have a representative of the president in the midst of corps members in camp.