Nigeria’s commitment to empowering its young generation was highlighted on Friday at the Silver Award Presentation Ceremony of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

The event, attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, honored outstanding young Nigerians aged 14 to 24 for their leadership, social responsibility, and life skills, marking their achievement of the prestigious Silver Award.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted Edun to have commended the awardees for their dedication and hard work, encouraging them to strive for the Gold Award.
“You are the future leaders of this country, and we depend on you to keep pushing yourselves and reaching for excellence,” he remarked, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s future.
He also reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to poverty reduction and youth empowerment, recognizing that investing in young people is crucial for driving long-term national progress.
The statement indicated that since its introduction in Nigeria, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has touched the lives of over 60,000 young people, equipping them with leadership skills, a sense of social responsibility, and life skills through structured guidance from over 2,000 mentors and volunteers.
The program continues to prepare Nigerian youth to meet the challenges of today’s complex world.

Other dignitaries in attendance included British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever; Special Adviser to the Minister of Youth for State Development, Mr. Tunde Yakub Prudent; Trustee of The International Award for Young People Nigeria, Mr. Abdulrahman Sambo; and Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Sanyade Okoli.

The Silver Award Presentation Ceremony stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to youth development and empowerment. As the country looks ahead, these young leaders will play a vital role in securing a prosperous future for Nigeria.

***Applauds Tinubu’s planned 30-day National Youth Conference

A non governmental group, Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative (URNI) has unveiled ambitious plans to train 30 million Nigerian youths to become self-employed entrepreneurs. Speaking during a press briefing at Novera Hall in Abuja, the organization’s Lead Strategist, Mrs. Obiageri Agubata, laid out URNI’s vision to empower the youth, foster patriotism, and use technology to drive national rebranding efforts.

“Our overall goal is to have 30 million young Nigerians in our database, each of them equipped with a skill that positions them to become entrepreneurs,” Agubata stated.
She emphasized that the initiative is critical for fostering self-employment, particularly among the youth, to reduce dependency on government job creation.

The national launch of the initiative according to her, is set for October 26, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja.
It will feature panel discussions, cultural exhibitions, and the release of the book “Faces of Patriotism,” which honors Nigeria’s patriotic heroes and seeks to inspire future generations.
During the press conference, Agubata addressed the importance of changing the national narrative, starting from the grassroots. “We know where the problems are; we know we are part of the solution. It’s time to stop pointing fingers and start working together,” she said, adding that the initiative will focus on young Nigerians, with a vision to instill patriotism from as early as six years old.
“We want to teach the youth to ask not what Nigeria can do for them, but what they can do to make Nigeria a better place,” Ndulue remarked. URNI aims to use technology, entrepreneurship training, and community engagement to shift the mindset of Nigerian youth, fostering a new generation of leaders equipped with skills and a strong sense of national pride.
A key aspect of URNI’s mission is to harness the potential of technology and innovation.
Agubata outlined plans for establishing tech hubs across the country, focusing on skills such as coding, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
These hubs aim to provide young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive in the digital economy.
In addition to technology, URNI will also launch initiatives in agricultural technology (agrotech), training young Nigerians to become modern farmers using tech-driven methods.
“Farming is a goldmine we have not fully tapped into,” said Agubata, highlighting the need for self-reliance in multiple sectors.
Agubata stressed that URNI is not just about immediate solutions but long-term cultural and mindset shifts. “The initiative will roll out a School of Networking, connecting young Nigerians with mentors both in the country and abroad, aiming to build a robust network of support for aspiring leaders.
She also emphasized the role of media in promoting positive stories about Nigeria. “We want to shine a light on what is right with Nigeria. There are amazing young people across this country doing great things, and we must tell their stories,” Agubata said, noting that technology will be used to amplify these success stories to inspire others.
As part of its programming, URNI will also develop book clubs and reading initiatives aimed at younger children, designed to cultivate a deeper appreciation for Nigeria’s history and heritage.
The initiative’s leaders expressed confidence that the efforts will reshape the national narrative, build a culture of self-reliance, and create a brighter future for the country.
URNI’s official launch will bring together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, setting the stage for a sustained national rebranding effort.
Speaking earlier at the news conference, Chairman Advisory Committee of URNI, Dr. Vincent Ugochukwu, emphasized the core principles of the initiative.
He said, “Our vision at URNI is to foster a nation where Nigerians, both at home and abroad, celebrate their heritage and actively contribute to the country’s development.
“URNI will place a major focus on engaging Nigerian youth, recognizing them as the driving force behind national rebranding efforts.”
“We believe that the youth are the heartbeat of this nation. It is their creativity, resilience, and dedication that will drive the future we all want to see.
The Assistant Chairman URNI Advisory Committee Mr. Nura Ibrahim Miko said URNI is committed to empowering young Nigerians to take charge of their destiny and lead the charge for positive change.
Similarly, the URNI Programme Coordinator, Mr. Abdulkadir Lawal, described the planned 30-day National Youth Conference by President Bola Tinubu, as a welcome development
He said it would be an opportunity for young Nigerians to express the views about the country and set an agenda for the leadership on how to move the country forward.y

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to embark on a two-week vacation abroad amid Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page titled “DEAF, DUMB, CONFOUNDED”, Lamido questioned the President’s decision to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms from outside the country. He argued that this decision shows a lack of empathy for the suffering of Nigerians.

“He (President Tinubu) traveled out to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms,” Lamido wrote, alleging that the current government has deliberately inflicted hardship, pain, and agony on the Nigerian people.

Lamido further expressed doubt that the President could fully comprehend the country’s grim situation while enjoying the comfort of Europe, stating, “Has he (President Tinubu) the human empathy, compassion, love, care, and concern to ponder and reflect in the comfort zone of Europe on Nigerians’ gory situations?”

He concluded by drawing a parallel to biblical times, citing the story of Pharaoh and Moses.

This criticism comes after the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Niyi Onanuga, announced that President Tinubu would be taking a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom as part of his yearly leave. According to Onanuga, the vacation would serve as a “working retreat” for the President to reflect on his administration’s economic policies.

The Special Adviser also confirmed that the President would return to the country after the leave period ends.