News
Akume hails Tinubu on youth inclusion
…promise to attend CYMS conference in May
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Dr. George Akume has stated that the Nigerian government is making deliberate efforts to harness the potentials of the Nigerian youths towards the socio-economic development of the nation.
Akume stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when the Director General, Committee of Youths on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), Chief Obinna Nwaka led his executive on a courtesy visit to the SGF office.
The SGF who fraternised with the commitee briefly reaffirmed Mr President’s commitment to prioritising the needs of the youth, following the recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of funds and 30% slots for youth in governance, before mandating the Permanent Secretary, Dr Nnamdi Mbaeri to continue the meeting.
While discussing with the group, the Permanent Secretary expressed hope that the present administration’s policies and programmes geared toward youth empowerment in the area of entrepreneurship and others would bring about the desired economic well being for the country.
According to him, “Your organisation is not new to this office, we are partners in progress and you have been officially accredited a partner to this office before now.
“Your activities have always been well portrayed by projecting what the Government is doing. We have transmitted from one administration to another and I am happy you consistently identify with each administration that comes up.
“The primary purpose is to project the image of the country and of course to sensitise the youths and imbibe the culture of tolerance, hard work, and Patriotism. And of course, to give the image of this country anywhere, any day, a positive reflection
“I want to commend you and assure you that the government is desirous of ensuring that the youths at any point in time are well positioned for Leadership position and you can attest to this by the number of youth involved in this administration.
“You will have the support of this office. This administration has the interest of the youths at heart. We will look into all your requests and it will be officially treated, “he said.
The SGF further commended the group for having the unity of the country in mind, saying that the unity of the country could only be guaranteed by the youth.
He said “understanding that there is no need for acrimony, there is no need to be used as an instrument to disorganized a system.
“Rather, there is the need for peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and to build progressive minds at all times, “he said.
Earlier, the Director General, CYMS, Chief Obinna Nwaka passed a vote of confidence on the SGF in recognition of his commitment and exemplary leadership for the growth and development of the youth, while assuring the organization support.
Nwaka highlighted the crucial role that the organisation played in the socio-economic fabric of the country with the support of the office.
He acknowledged the organisation’s significant contributions to national unity and socio-economic development, making it a household name in Nigeria.
He said that some youths in the country had proved to be good citizens of Nigeria by demonstrating patriotism and loyalty to the nation, however more opportunities and activities will be created for them through CYMS.
According to him, as a dynamic organisation, CYMS continues to assert its relevance by being responsive to prevailing national needs since it’s engagement by the office in 2018.
“We are here today to inform you of our forthcoming 2-day National conference which comprises two segments: first day conference itself while second day a Peace & Unity walk and award night including papers to be delivered by prominent people”.
“The essence of the award night is to create a platform where young people or individuals will dine and familiarize with their role models, while observing the evening session.
We will recognise some individuals with Icon of peace award, Those who have demonstrated patriotism and anti corruption characteristics will be encouraged through our organisation in collaboration with the government.
“We solicit your full support for this event and we want to reassure you and the office that whatever opportunity you give to us will not be jeopardized.
“The support, commitment and everything that we have asked for is very concerning to us, we haven’t abused this before and we won’t abuse it now especially since we have our father as the SGF , “he said to the Permanent Secretary.
Nwaka also solicited for more sense of belonging and technical support for the organisation to help in attending to plights and predicament of the youths efficiently and effectively.
Interestingly to note that, the CYMS is set to hold a National conference to enhance peace and national development on May 16 and 17, 2024 which SGF affirmed to be in attendance as the Special Guest of Honor.
The event is a two legged event, the Conference, a unity walk and award night, aimed at sensitising the youths about the importance of unity of the country, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
CAPITAL POST reports that CYMS is a domiciled youth body in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation set up to drive youth inclusion in promotion of the policies, programs and activities of the government while playing active participation in every decision making process that concerns the young people of the country.
The body is a monitoring, mobilisation and sensitisation platform of young people. It is also to assist FG in areas of sensitisation, promotion of its policies and programmes while reporting to the presidency.
President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, following the passing of his mother, Hajiya Sarafa’u Umaru, who died on March 23, 2025, at the age of 93.
During the visit, Senator Lawan expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, describing Hajiya Sarafa’u as a woman of “great virtue, kindness, and wisdom,” whose life left an indelible mark on her family and community.
“It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Radda, and the entire family over the loss of their beloved matriarch.
“Hajiya Sarafa’u was a pillar of strength and devotion, and her legacy lives on through the exemplary leadership of her son, who continues to serve Katsina State with passion and humility,” Lawan said.
The former Senate President explained that his absence during the initial mourning period was due to his participation in an executive course at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
However, he emphasized the importance of personally conveying his sympathies upon his return.
“I regret that I could not be here earlier, but I felt it necessary to come in person to offer my condolences and stand in solidarity with the Governor and the people of Katsina during this difficult time,” he added.
Amid restraint order slammed on the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, rtd from appointing sole administrators of the 23 Local Government Council Areas, he has approved the appointment of the administrators for the council areas.
CAPITAL POST gathered that a Federal High Court sitting in Portharcourt on Tuesday restrained the Sole Administrator from appointing Council executives.
The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.
Ibas also approved the reconstitution of the board of agencies of State government including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC which he dissolved upon his assumption as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The development was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The statement said the appointments take immediate effect.
Mr Okroiyobi Animete was appointed as administrator for Abua/Odual LG, Mr Goodluck M Iheanacho for Ahoada East LG, Mr Promise Jacob for Ahoada West LG, among others.
The statement read, “His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.
“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
FULL LIST OF Rivers LG administrators
News
Ndume should have been concerned with tackling ‘endless terrorism’ in his District rather than criticising Tinubu – Senator Karimi
The Senate Committee Chairman on Senate Services, Sunday Karimi has descended heavily on his counterpart from Borno State, Ali Ndume, saying he should dissipate energy to solving terrorism in his Senatorial District, rather than criticising President Bola Tinubu on appointments.
Karimi who represents Kogi West Senatorial District expressed disappointment that Ndume picked holes in Tinubu’s appointments, saying he would have been concerned on his Boko Haram infested Senatorial District looking for how to resolve crisis rather than dissipating energy criticising the President.
In a statement the lawmaker made available to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Karimi said, Ndume’s assertion that Tinubu was making lopsided political appointments in favour of his Yoruba ethnic stock cannot be proven.
He said, the information Ndume was giving on a television with regards to appointments made by President Tinubu was out of place for the wrong reasons.
Karimi expressed surprise that Ndume, a former Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, often chose to “play to the gallery” by leaving “real development challenges like the insecurity confronting Nigeria, to promote sentiments.”
The Kogi lawmaker advised Ndume to be concerned about the resurgence of terrorist attacks, recalling that the devastation caused to Nigeria by Boko Haram insurgency, cost the nation “over 50 per cent of its earnings” in recent years in counter-terrorism spending.
In doing so, Karimi urged Ndume to assist the government in finding what he called “local solutions” to the insurgency instead of “constantly projecting” himself as a critic of Tinubu’s government.
“Over 50% of Nigeria’s earnings in the last few years is being spent on fighting insurgency.
“Rather than playing to the gallery and criticising the government, Senator Ndume as a leader of his people should go back home, liaise with his people on solving Boko Haram problems.
“Insecurity has a local solution”, Karimi stated.
Citing his own example, he said that to address banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in Kogi-West, he had facilitated the building of a military base in Egbe Town, Yagba West Local Government Area, in addition to the provision of other logistics.
“The country has lost a lot of his soldiers and trillions of Naira fighting insurgents in Senator Ndume’s Senatorial District in the last decades.
“In fact, I lost one of the young officers, a captain in the Nigerian Army from my Senatorial District serving in his community three weeks ago.
“Lots of young Nigerians had lost their lives fighting to defend the territorial integrity of our country. Those are more serious and compelling issues threatening our collective existence”, he added.
The Kogi-West lawmaker was reacting to the latest comments made by Ndume when he appeared as a guest on television programme on Monday, alleging that Tinubu had been unfair to other parts of the country in the appointments he made so far.
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