Insecurity: Ebonyi government employs 2,600 youths as forest guards

ABAKALIKI- The Ebonyi government has confirmed the recruitment of 2,600 youths as forest guards to support the fight against insecurity in the state. The Ebonyi commissioner for information and orientation, Jude Okpor, made this known in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital. He said those recruited would serve under the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS). “The 2,600 persons recruited in the state represent 200 persons per local government area (LGA), and we have 13 LGAs in Ebonyi. “Most of the security challenges in the country stem from the occupation of the forests by criminals. “The criminals launch attacks on innocent persons from the forests, and we want to rid our forests of criminals,” Mr Okpor said. According to him, the recruitment is in tandem with President Bola Tinubu’s recent meeting with state governors over insecurity. “The forestry security outfit is a component of the state police, which was discussed at the meeting,” he noted. Meanwhile, the state commander of the NHFSS, Larry Igwe, welcomed the recruitment, saying it would enhance their capacity to fight criminal …

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Northern youths burn Nigerian flag, lament northerners feeding on leaves under Tinubu

A group of northern youths burned the Nigerian flag to protest the increasing cost of living and economic hardship that continued to define the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In the video shared on X recently, the youths were seen setting the flag ablaze while bemoaning the precarious economic conditions, contrasting the crisis with enormous government spending on nonessential issues that continue to surface amid the economic crisis. “We voted you (referring to President Bola Tinubu) into power. But see the situation we are in: people are feeding on leaves while you are living in an affluent manner,” the youths said. They added, “A packet of Spaghetti is now N700 and beyond the reach of the poor.” The youths also mentioned that Nigeria’s 1-2 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday was necessary to redirect the focus of citizens to the current untold hardship. “We thank the almighty God for Nigeria losing the football competition. We pray Nigeria does not win anything if this is how the country is being governed,” …

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World Cancer Day: Health experts lament over increase among young people

A health expert at the Niger Delta University, NDU, Bayelsa State, Dr Okeoghene Ifiezibe Akusu, has lamented the increasing rate of cancer among young adults in the country, saying early detection is key to overcoming the mortality rate. He said one out of every six persons die of cancer yearly due to late detection, putting the figure at 9.6 million people annually, making it the second leading cause of death in the world. Speaking during an advocacy and sensitization programme to mark the 2024 World Cancer Day with the theme: Close the Gap, Akusu added that regular breast cancer screening is important. In his presentation on the causes of cancer and the risk factors involved, Dr Akusu explained that “Cancer is a group of diseases caused by abnormal cell division. The body is made up of the cells, which are functional units of the body. When the cells begin to multiply in abnormal ways and are sent to different tissues and organs in the body, it causes problems which are called cancer.” He continued, “When they grow uncontrollably, it causes …

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DISTURBING TREND: Why Borno Youths Are Drinking Urine Kept For 10 Days

BORNO- A disturbing trend has been reported in Borno State among the youth population which poses a serious risk. In this regard, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has brought to light the disturbing trend of youths in Borno state resorting to drinking fermented human urine, preserved for over 10 days, as a substitute for hard drugs. Commander Iliyasu Mani, in charge of narcotics for NDLEA in Borno state, expressed his concern in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Thursday, January 4. He revealed, “Let me state categorically here that these new psychoactive substances that are commonly abused today include Cannabis Sativa, skunk, Cough syrup with codeine; Ice, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, rubber solution, glue, gutter dirt, toilet fumes, lizard dung.” Continuing with the alarming discoveries, Mani disclosed, “Others include Lipton soaked in gin, camel urine, Mentholated spirit in soft drinks; 10-day-old human Urine, and so on.” Despite the efforts of the NDLEA in combating drug abuse, Mani acknowledged the escalating challenge, particularly involving young teens and women in the abuse of new psychoactive substances. However, he expressed hope …

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Christmas: Onaiyekan urges political leaders to rebuild youths’ trust in Nigeria

ABUJA- Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Abuja, has tasked political leaders  to rebuild the trust of Nigerian youths in their fatherland through good leadership. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that such trust was necessary to secure the future of the country. He spoke on the sideline of the Christmas Carol organised by Mr Emmanuel Njoku, Managing Director, Prezzo Shed Investments Limited, in Abuja. The event tagged: “Carol Night of Nine Lessons and Songs”, had in attendance the Abuja Choral Ensemble, clerics and other Nigerians from different backgrounds. According to Onaiyekan, the Nigerian youths are losing hope and trust in the country because of successive bad leadership at all levels. He lamented that the youths’ frustration was demonstrated in their willingness to leave the country in their hordes to Europe and other parts of the world in search for a better life. The former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), warned that if nothing was done urgently to reverse the tide, the future of the country would be bleak. “That young people …

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Edo 2024: Rep pledges to train 100,000 youths in tech, if elected governor

BENIN- Rep. Dennis Idahosa (APC-Ovia) has pledged to empower no fewer than 100,000 youths in Edo with technological skills, if elected governor. Idahosa declared his intention to contest in the 2024 Edo governorship race at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Benin on Friday. The lawmaker said he would accomplish the feat via collaboration with both the Federal Government and international partners. “If you notice, India is doing telemarketing for most of the American companies. I do not see anything wrong with us having such opportunities for our youths in Nigeria and especially in Edo,” he said. Speaking to journalists after his declaration, Idahosa, who is representing Ovia Federal Constituency, said youths would also be trained in the area of renewable energy. “The youth is the reason for my involvement in elections and core reason for running for governorship because the youths constitute about 70 per cent of electorate in Edo,” said the APC governorship aspirant. According to the aspirant, he will also employ about 5,000 teachers, who will be youths, to fill the teaching vacancy in the state …

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Entrepreneurship: Shettima tasks youths on innovative ideas

ABUJA- Vice President Kashim Shettima has advised young Nigerians to continue to nature innovative ideas that will propel them into brighter future. Shettima gave the advice at the Ugwumba Enterprise Challenge 2023, organised by the Ugwumba Centre for Leadership Development in Africa (UCLDA) on Tuesday in Abuja. UCLDA is a non-political, non-discriminatory, non-profit development organization, established in Nigeria in 2018 to raise a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs for Africa. Shettima, represented by Mrs. Inna Audu, Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs, tasked youths to continue to embrace innovations that would lead to job creation and poverty reduction. “I assure you that money comes to good ideas. So continue what you’re doing and to be encouraging others who may not have reached the level that you have, “ Shettima said. He also advised organiasations and individuals, to continue to support innovations and business ideas in the country. Shettima commended the President of UCLDA, Nwosu Ugwumba, for his sustained efforts and support for development of entrepreneurship in the country. “I’m quite excited with Ugwumba for your laudable initiative and your intervention, …

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Perceived marginalization, oppression, corruption, deprive South East youths from joining security agencies

ENUGU- Some stakeholders in the South-East, have identified marginalization, oppression, corruption and poor image as reasons why youths from the zone shy away from joining security forces especially the police in Nigeria. The stakeholders made the observations in a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the zone on “Why South-Easterners are not interested in joining the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies”. They regretted that in spite of the efforts by the young people in the region with the required age limit to enlist into any security forces of their choice, at the end, were denied recruitments. Some of them who spoke to NAN in separate interviews said that injustice meted on them made the youths to lose hope in the system. In Enugu, Mr Aka Eze Aka, the Enugu State Commissioner for Information and Communication, said his interaction with youths from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state revealed a lot of things the young people from the state shy away from joining police and other security agencies. Aka said that when the …

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Kogi guber poll: Accept defeat in good faith – Women, youths tell SDP

LOKOJA- Women and youth groups in Kogi on Saturday pleaded with the  Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alh. Muritala Yakubu-Ajaka to accept the result of the Nov. 11 governorship election in good faith. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the groups, who staged a rally round the streets of Lokoja metropolis carrying placards with various inscriptions, begged Yakubu-Ajaka and his supporters not to do anything that would set the state on fire. The groups said that Kogi belongs to all indigenes and residents alike irrespective of political, tribal or religious leanings, and must be cherished, nurtured and preserved, not to be burnt down. Mr John Dele, who spoke on behalf of the youth said nothing must be allowed to affect the peace being enjoyed in the state under the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello. “Our joy is that the off-cycle governorship election was the freest and fairest in the history of our state. “We, therefore, urged aggrieved parties, who might still want to contest its outcome to go about it in line with laid down …

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Okechukwu urges youth to harness social media, books resources for personal, societal progress

By Ogechi Okorie Former Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Toby Okechukwu has urged Nigerian Youth to harness the power of social media to make a positive impact, empower themselves and others, and to drive economic development. Okechukwu gave the advise at the University of Abuja, while delivering a keynote address at the leadership and development lecture series of the sultan maccido institute for peace, leadership and development studies. He noted that the youth, equipped with technology, hold immense potential to shape the future. He also noted that while social media is good, books hold the power to transport one to distant realms without physical movement. While noting that Nigerian youth through social media has played a significant role in driving political change, the CoS said it is important to recognize the challenges as well. According to him, issues such as the spread of misinformation, echo chambers, and online harassment can hinder productive discussions and understanding. He therefore, advised Nigerian youth to critically engage with the information they come …

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Taraba State Holds First Youth, Security Summit

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo Taraba State Governor Dr Kefas Agbu on Tuesday flagged off a Three day Youth, security and economic summit in Jalingo, the state capitol. The governor in his remarks said he was determined to fulfil his campaign promise of ensuring 80% youth in his government and it was important that the youth develop the right mindset in order to deliver in driving the administration. He said that the maiden edition of the summit is imperative and informs the decision of the government to go ahead with it despite the lean resources. “Today is a milestone in our history as a state as we hold this maiden Edition of Taraba State Youth, Economic and Security Summit. This is a project that is dear to my heart because I made a promise and I intend to fulfill my campaign promise that 80% of my appointments will be youths and women. The youth will take the centre stage in this administration. “The youths are the driving force of any society. It is therefore imperative that we empower them and position …

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Abia: Kalu Floats Cinematography training for Youths, intensifies farmers empowerment

By Abubakar Liman As part of his youth empowerment action agenda Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has organised an intensive training for Youths in Cinematography in Abia North Senatorial District. According to Kalu representing the district at the National Assembly, the training facilitated in partnership with the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) , will serve as a springboard for youths to explore the opportunities in Cinematography thereby making ways for them to earn a living through content creation and film making. The flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25th Senatorial elections stressed that with the advent of social media and its monetisation, youths can now create film contents to make a living hence the provision of digital cameras,brand new laptops and start up cash to each participant at the conclusion of the training. Kalu charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training which was offered to them free of charge. He tasked the youths to be grateful to President Buhari administration for making it possible in addition to approving the construction …

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Gombe Advises Youths To Shun Politicians Engaging Them As Thugs

By Hajara Leman Gombe, – Gombe State advised youths on Wednesday to avoid being used as thugs as electioneering campaigns for the 2023 general elections goes underway. Commissioner for Youth Development, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, gave the advice in Gombe when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He noted that youths were always at the arrowhead of restiveness, hence the need to sensitise them against violence and other social vices. “We want our youths to be useful to the society; we do not want them to engage in violence, especially now that elections are around the corner. “We want our youths to realise that politicians using them will not use their children; so, there is the need for them to be cautious,’’ he said. He added that as part of its community mobilisation thrusts, the ministry had engaged district and villages heads to sensitise youths against drug abuse which had turned them into miscreants and thugs. Musa said the state government had trained 500 youths in various vocations in the last one year to make them to become …

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Shehu Sani Reacts To Tinubu’s Comment About Youth President

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – Federal lawmaker that represented the Kaduna Central Senatorial district at the 8th senate, Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to comment credited to Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu was quoted to have said that a Nigerian youth will become president after him. Shehu Sani in his reaction via his verified twitter handle said: “By the time the Youths waited for Baba and waited for Jagaban to finish their tenures, they (Youths) have become elders themselves.” Ahead of the 2023 elections, Nigerian youths have agitated that old leaders should not be allowed to lead the nation after President Muhammadu Buhari. According to them, it’s time for a young Nigerian to lead the country. However, Tinubu, while speaking in a viral video, said he wants the youth to be president of Nigeria but that will happen after he’s served as the president. The APC leader made the comment during a visit to the Alaafin of Oyo on Sunday. “If you become the President, you want to chase us …

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Youth storm Plateau Assembly for impeached Speaker

Some youths besieged the Plateau Assembly on Monday morning. The action of youths, who arrived at the Complex as early as 6 am, may be connected to the crisis rocking the Assembly over the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Ayuba Abok last Thursday by eight of the 24 lawmakers. The youth carried placards with inscriptions in support of the impeached Speaker. They demanded his reinstatement as security agents took over the Complex to prevent the breakdown of law and order. Details shortly… Source

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Nigerians won’t forgive leaders if PDP loses 2023 elections – PDP youths

The youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the party’s leadership to quickly step and prevent the crisis from consuming the party ahead of the 2023 general elections. The opposition party’s youths wing under the auspices of PDP National Youth Movement said Nigerians will not forgive the PDP if it by any means allow the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) win the 2023 general elections because of “avoidable and resolvable crisis.” President of the PDP Youths Movement, Engr. Salaudeen Lukman, in a statement on Wednesday also alleged the crisis rocking the PDP is a clear handiwork of external forces suspected to be that of the ruling party. They accused the APC of sponsoring intruders to destabilise the major opposition party ahead of 2023 general elections. The Youths said: “Similar style was adopted prior to 2015 general election towards the tail end of Alh Bananga Tukur regime as National Chairman of our dear party, an external sponsored crisis threw the party into internal crisis which degenerated to the extent it later paved way for a mole into Wadata …

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