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FG to train 5m Nigerians annually to curb unemployment, poverty – Presidency

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The federal government has outline strategic plan aimed at creating job opportunities for five million Nigerians with various artisanal skills annually.

In the same vein it also also mbarking on the training of 500 inmates in all the Correctional Custodial Centres across the country, even as the beneficiaries will be granted N500,000 to start a business after the training.

Speaking with newsmen, Wednesday in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurial Education, Abiola Arogundade, said the initiative is targeted at reducing down the 133 million Nigerians living below the poverty line.

She explained that the initiative which entails collaboration with various countries, educational and financial institutions in the country would expose beneficiaries to the acquisition of artisanal skills that would not make them self relating but would be a source of earning the country the much sought after foreign exchange.

Arogundade explained that already her outfit has trained no more than 500 inmates in each of the correctional centres spread across the country in line with the objective.
“We’ve also started training in the correctional centres. We launched the scheme in Kuje. We took a few members from my office to the correctional centre to do an audit of the needs of the inmates.
“I’m happy to announce that we started conducting the assessment and auditing of the trainees. And I am happy to announce that every single person that we train there is also going to be certified.

“They will not be left behind. It’s the same curriculum that we have and we are partnering with global bodies to make sure that any skill you acquire in Nigeria is going to be recognised worldwide and we are happy to also announce that we have secured it for every single person in training. 

“At the end of their prison term and our training, we give each of the beneficiaries N500,000 to set up their businesses so they don’t become a second-time offender at a correctional centre. This scheme is ongoing. 

“So after Kuje Correctional Centre, we are moving to Suleja. We are going to try and duplicate this intervention in all our correctional centres across the country. 

“There are two dimensions to the training, we will be training artisans to build and we are going to employ them. We are also training the beneficiaries. “For example, if you are going to be a hairdresser, we train you on how to have the best skills in hairdressing. We empower you with the kiosk. Not only that, the kiosk will have three streams of income.
“You can use the kiosk for your main skill which in this case as I mentioned, will be hairdressing, you can use it for POS business and other ventures. 

“So we are partnering with the bank. They will supply the POS and also you can use it to charge phones. We are using that as a multi-purpose intervention for three streams of income which we are launching today and we will be giving it out to the beneficiaries after we train and certify them.

“We also want to announce that we will be starting the programme which we call MYTV videos. Online we told people to send a one-minute video on what their skills are. Once you upload your video, we train you.
“We are happy to announce that we got over 10,000 entries and we are at the stage where we are picking 2000 people to go through the free training. Part of the curriculum of the free training for your assessment is to write a business plan. Those who write a good business plan will be granted N500,000 to continue and upscale their business. 

“We are also working with the Bank for Industry.  We are working on something called training for Industries.
“Like I said before, our methodology is backward integration, so we are working with the Bank of Industry, to work with the private sector and we are training people to make sure they have the right skills that the industries are looking for. So we have started that assessment as well.

“We have had meetings with different ambassadors.  So what we are trying to do is to work with multinationals. Sometimes they complain about our citizens not having the skills.”

Speaking on the idea of introducing compulsory skill acquisition for Secondary School leavers, the presidential aide said: “I am in talks with the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnic, Vocational and Technical Schools and we have being talking on how to introduce one skill for Senior Secondary School so that you come out with one skill and get even get certified. We started doing some research, so it’s something we think it’s important. It’s still work in progress.”

While revealing its collaborations with the Bank for Industry (BoI), Industrial Training Fund (IDF), Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), National Board for Technical Education (NBTC), Private Sector and others, Arogundade revealed an ongoing program tagged “The unlock program” aimed at empowering youths and guiding them on creating commercial and sustainable businesses.

She said: “We told people to send a one-minute video on what their skills are. Once you upload your video, we train you, we are happy to announce that we got over 10,000 entries and we are at the stage where we are picking 2000 people to go through the free training. Part of the curriculum of the free training for your assessment is to write a business plan.
“Those who write a good business plan will be granted N500,000 to continue and upscale their business.”

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Empowerment

Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s Legacy of Compassion Reshapes Kogi East

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Jibrin Isah Echocho

In an era where public service is often measured by fleeting promises, Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho is charting a different course, one rooted in tangible impact and enduring compassion.
The Igala Vanguard, a prominent socio-cultural group in Kogi East, has applauded the senator’s transformative approach to governance, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to healthcare access and economic empowerment.
Senator Echocho’s intervention in settling hospital bills at three major general hospitals has become a beacon of hope for struggling families.
For many, healthcare costs often force heartbreaking choices between medical treatment and basic survival. By lifting this burden, the senator has restored dignity and well-being to vulnerable residents.

“This isn’t just about paying bills; it’s about saving lives and ensuring no one is denied care because of poverty,” remarked Engineer Lawrence Akpa, leader of the Igala Vanguard.

The initiative has triggered discussions about sustainable healthcare reforms and inspired calls for other leaders to adopt similar strategies to fortify public health systems.

But Senator Echocho’s impact stretches beyond healthcare. His empowerment programs, targeting widows, youth, and low-income earners—are equipping citizens with the tools to rebuild their lives. From vocational training and small business grants to educational scholarships, the senator is laying the foundation for long-term economic resilience.

“These programs are creating a ripple effect,” said Akpa. “They are breaking cycles of dependency and giving people the means to take charge of their futures.”

Widows who once faced economic exclusion now run thriving businesses. Youths who lacked direction are mastering trades. Students who risked dropping out are now chasing academic dreams. The senator’s interventions are not just short-term fixes but blueprints for self-reliance.
Senator Echocho’s story has become a rallying point for leadership with empathy. The Igala Vanguard is now calling on other political leaders to replicate his model of service—one that prioritizes impact over optics.

“What he’s doing in Kogi East transcends politics,” Akpa added. “It’s about restoring faith in governance and proving that leadership can indeed be a tool for change.”

Community voices echo this sentiment. Residents have described the senator’s programs as a lifeline, particularly in rural areas where poverty and lack of infrastructure pose daily challenges.
While celebrating these achievements, the Igala Vanguard also expressed optimism about future initiatives. They urged Senator Echocho to sustain the momentum and expand his programs to reach even more underserved communities.

The group reaffirmed its support for his vision, stressing the need for collective efforts among stakeholders to address lingering socio-economic disparities in the region.
As Kogi East moves forward, Senator Echocho’s leadership offers a powerful reminder of what governance can achieve when anchored in compassion, vision, and action. His legacy, still unfolding, promises not just relief but renewal for the people of Kogi East.

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Empowerment

Lawan Urges Holistic Economic Reforms Beyond Temporary Relief Measures

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Ahmad Lawan

Former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s soaring interest rates, which he described as a chokehold on entrepreneurship, agricultural growth, and sustainable development.
Speaking in Yobe North during a food distribution exercise targeting vulnerable communities, Lawan highlighted the broader structural challenges stifling Nigeria’s economic potential. While acknowledging the importance of providing immediate relief to struggling citizens, he advocated for transformative policies to address the root causes of economic hardship.
Lawan’s remarks signal a call for a shift from reliance on short-term interventions to sustainable economic strategies. His emphasis on affordable financing reflects the need for systemic changes to empower small businesses and farmers.
A statement by his is Media Adviser, Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, quoted him to have said,“We can’t continue to manage hunger with handouts,” Lawan stated. “The focus must be on creating an environment where businesses and farmers thrive independently through affordable credit facilities and secure environments.”
According to Lawan, Nigeria’s commercial banks charge prohibitive interest rates of up to 34 percent, a figure he argues discourages investments and keeps the nation’s productive sectors in a state of stagnation.
“In countries where businesses flourish, loans are accessible at less than 1 percent interest rates. We must adopt similar practices to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential,” he said.
Lawan also linked food insecurity to rising insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria, where farmers are increasingly unable to access their farmlands due to banditry. He urged the federal government to intensify efforts to restore peace and create enabling conditions for agricultural revival.
“Food security is a matter of national security,” he declared. “We cannot expect sustainable growth when our farmers are unable to cultivate their lands due to fear of attacks.”

Acknowledging the reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Lawan expressed optimism for economic improvements by 2025.
However, he stressed the need for state governments to complement federal efforts by implementing local strategies that promote food security, job creation, and access to credit.
“Governance cannot be centralized,” Lawan said. “States must take ownership of development plans tailored to their specific challenges and strengths.”
Lawan’s critique of Nigeria’s banking system underscores the need for urgent reforms to lower borrowing costs and expand access to financing for small and medium enterprises.
“The current interest rates imposed by commercial banks are callous and unsustainable,” he argued. “Unless we reform our financial systems to support entrepreneurs and farmers, our fight against poverty will remain a losing battle.”
While the food distribution organized by the Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Foundation offered short-term relief, Lawan insisted that Nigeria’s long-term economic trajectory depends on policies that promote self-reliance.
“Temporary relief measures have their place, but our focus must be on equipping Nigerians to build sustainable livelihoods,” he emphasized.
Lawan’s advocacy highlighted the intersection of economic policy, security, and agricultural development. His push for affordable loans, agricultural security, and federal-state collaboration underscores the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s economic vulnerabilities.
As Nigeria grapples with inflation and food insecurity, Lawan’s call for reforms sets the stage for debates on how to transition from crisis management to sustainable economic growth.

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Empowerment

Peter Obi Empowers 25 youths with N75m, Urges them to Embrace Hard Work, Integrity

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The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections Peter Obi has admonished youths to imbibe the spirit of hardwork, discipline and integrity as sure parth to success.

Obi who is also a former Governor of Anambra State spoke recently when he held an inspiring interactive session with youths in Onitsha, Anambra State, at the invitation of the Faithspiration Initiative.
His empowering message centered on the importance of hard work, discipline, and integrity.
Obi reminded the youths that success in life is not determined by one’s background but by an unwavering commitment to doing the right things and working tirelessly towards achieving goals.
He shared his personal journey, explaining that although he was born and raised in Onitsha, success did not come easy.
He underscored that like many of them, he too faced challenges but was able to overcome them through hard work and discipline.
“There is no shortcut to success,” Obi stated. “It is not where you come from, but how determined you are to do the right things and work hard that truly counts.”
To further support the youths, Obi provided N300,000 each to 25 individuals to help them further their productive ventures, and pledged to continue empowering two more youths every month, starting in January.

In closing, Obi reiterated his belief in the potential of Nigerian youth to drive change. “A New Nigeria remains POssible,” he affirmed.

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