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PROTESTS CANNOT LAST INDEFINITELY, GIVE US CONCRETE, PRACTICAL IDEAS – BUHARI CHALLENGES YOUTHS
PROTESTS CANNOT LAST INDEFINITELY, GIVE US CONCRETE, PRACTICAL IDEAS – BUHARI CHALLENGES YOUTHS
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Abuja appealed to Nigerian youths to end street protests and participate in meaningful discussions with government aimed at comprehensive reforms to end all forms of police brutality against Nigerians.
The President spoke in his message to the maiden National Youth Day celebration, observed on November 1, coinciding with the African Youth Day celebration.
Against the backdrop of the recent protests against police brutality in the country, leading to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), President Buhari, who was represented by the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, told the gathering that the pleas of Nigerian youths have been heard by his administration.
He added that the Federal Government ‘‘now wants to hear concrete and practical ideas,’’ from the youths, while acknowledging their constitutional right to peaceful protests.
”You must realize that protests cannot last indefinitely. My government will not lift a hand to stop or suppress you.
”However, the fact of the matter is that other forces and actors will seek to take over your protests that they may redirect them in ways you did not intend and perhaps do not agree with.
”Every successful protest movement the world over has understood that there comes a time when activity must move from the street to the negotiation table. That time for you has come. Do not be afraid of this reality. You should welcome it.
”It is important that we all strive to use this moment constructively. Too many people have already sacrificed too dearly. It is our duty to use this fateful situation to move ourselves to a more just and caring society.
”As youth, you have a nation and a future to build. My government will always be your faithful partner in this essential and patriotic endeavour,” he said.
President Buhari also used the occasion to express his strong opposition to the wrongful use and imposition of violent force against any innocent, law-abiding persons, particularly young people.
”No one who is obeying the law, whether they are in line waiting for a taxi or in a peaceful protest line, should be harassed or brutalized by law enforcement agencies.
”It is because of my abiding belief in the people’s constitutional rights that we moved with dispatch to abolish SARS and to consider other reforms that will enhance the quality of law enforcement …and improve the relationship between the police and public which is a pre-requisite in a just society.
”To allow protests is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength and belief in democracy, and faith in the innate goodness of our people.
”This also shows confidence in the ability of our government to work with the people toward a reasonable and practical resolution to any challenge,” he said.
Describing Nigerian youths as agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development, President Buhari said his administration has established no fewer than 25 initiatives aimed at empowering youths across the country.
He noted that these noble initiatives, ongoing in the last five years, were aimed at placing Nigerian youths on the path of career development, entrepreneurship, skills development and direct employment.
”Today we will unveil the official logo of the N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund for the period of 2020 – 2023.
”This novel fund is dedicated to investing in the innovative ideas, skills and talents of Nigerian Youths and to provide our youths with a special window to access much needed financing, business management skills and other inputs critical for sustainable enterprise,” he said.
The President announced that over one million applications have already been received since the Youth Investment Fund Portal went live on 12th of October 2020.
He listed other youth-based initiatives, consistent with his administration’s policy of positioning youths for strategic leadership in different fields of endeavour, as follows:
”The birth of the Nigerian Youth Policy in 2019, the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund in July 2020, Young Farmers Initiative, Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship, Employability and Leadership/Mentoring (DEEL) programme, which recently received an approval of N4 billion naira for implementation, and the Not Too Young to Run Act.”
Other initiatives, according to the President, include the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), the N-Power, SI and Disaster Management, the Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Programme, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) and the Youth Enterprise with Innovation In Nigeria (YouWIN).
The President also added the $20 million Technology Fund for Young Innovators as some of the major initiatives empowering youths across the country.
Restating his call for national unity, President Buhari said Nigerian youths are better positioned to drive the indivisibility of Nigeria and collectively overcome whatever challenges bedevilling the nation.
”On this special occasion, we affirm our faith and confidence in the indivisible entity called Nigeria and in its future.
”We face many challenges but, in you, this nation has the collective ability and drive to overcome that which confronts us,’’ he said.
At the event with the theme: ”Invest in the Youth, Secure Our Future”, the winners of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development organised 60-day App Challenge and Youth Innovators were recognised and received cash rewards.
The United States Government Exchange Alumni Association has presented fifty thousand naira grant to twenty selected indigent women in Osun State to support their nano businesses.
The presentation, tagged ‘Business capital Support’, was done on Friday by the State Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi at the US Corridor within the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.
A 2-day entrepreneurship training was earlier this week, organized for the 20 selected indigent women by the US Government Alumni Association in Osogbo with the support of SMEDAN.
At the presentation of the cash grant to the women, the State coordinator of US Government Alumni Association, Dr. Femi Adefila said, the programme was concieved empower women in nano business, to promote and support their businesses and build a viable economy at the grassroots.
He noted that the beneficiaries were selected on merit, adding that they were selected through a phone in interview with Rave FM, where they indicated the type business they were into and the kind of support they need to boast their business.
Adefila said “On Rave Fm, there’s a programme called “karakata”, it was from this programme, that the women called in and asked questions about their businesses and the struggles they are going through.
”So after much survey and findings, we were able to select 20 women out of 100, and we decided to empower them through the US Government Exchange Alumni Association“
Addressing the beneficiaries, the State Deputy Governor tasked them to manage the grant judiciously
Adewusi lauded the Association for organizing the empowerment and training programmes for the women.
He expressed conviction that more people would be lifted out of poverty with the initiative.
Adewusi said, “First and foremost, I’d like to commend the conveners for supporting these women in the State, empowering these women is this trying times, it’s a commendable effort.
” I also want to congratulate the women for being part of this, I implore you to make judicious use of these money given to you, support your business and not give away these funds. When you invest in your business, it grows and you can use it to support your family”, he stated.
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Reviving Nigeria’s Economy: Ooni Advocates Use Of Local Products, Urges Leaders To Show Example
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has resonated the need for leaders across board to embrace the use of local products.
He said the sure way to grow the nation’s economy is for all to cultivate habit of using more of local contents, urging leaders at various levels to show example.
Ooni Ogunwusi stated these on Thursday in his palace in Ile-Ife where he received two vehicles and three motorbikes from one of the indigenous vehicle manufacturing companies in Nigeria on commemoration of his 8th years on the throne.
Oba Ogunwusi called on political leaders to desist from promoting foreign commodities, adding that Nigerian lawmakers should make it mandatory for anyone having any business with the parliament to wear and make use of indigenous products.
The monarch charged President Bola Tinubu, governors and federal lawmakers to include locally made and assembled vehicles in their fleet.
He said, “The earlier we know we cannot continue to kill our own, the better for us in this country. I took it upon myself to support and rally support for Innoson Motors and other local products because this is part of ways to boost our economy. Now that we have a company that produces vehicles, our governors should ensure establishment of companies that deal with manufacturing of components of vehicles such as car keys, windscreen, mirror among others.
“Why are we always benchmarking our economy on dollar? I want to appeal to our leaders that enough of promoting foreign commodities. Enough of benchmarking everything with dollar. Let us encourage local production and products. How many of what they (leaders) eat and wear are manufactured in Nigeria? Indigenous products from human, materials and human capital development should be prioritised.
“I will include Innoson vehicles in my own fleet and let our leaders support so that we can address youth unemployment. Our leaders should not sign any contract if they don’t have local touch.
“National Assembly should promulgate a law that everybody coming to NASS should have indigenous production. Start grading yourself. If you are wearing ten things, seven must be made in Nigeria. Let it be our policy. If we do that everything will be better. Let our leaders stop deceiving us in this country. National Assembly should start making laws that are impactful. We pray we don’t have a backlash of frustrated youths in this country.”
…as Ilobu farmers face alleged attacks, alert government to nip situation in the bud
Barely eight weeks after a peace resolution was signed between the two warring communities and curfew lifted on the areas, the Ifon/Ilobu crisis seemed to be brewing again.
Some farmers of Ilobu extraction on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in the town against what they described as incessant attacks on them on their farms by some members of Ifon community.
The protest, they said, was staged to register and to condemn incessant attack and harassment by their aggressors on their farmland located in Oyo State.
The protesters called on the state government to make concrete effort to ensure permanent solution to the crisis between the two communities, adding that they had been left with their fate after the signing of peace in October 6th, this year.
The protesting famers have their farmlands where they alleged to have been threatened in villages including; Aba Agana Amoo, Abebi, Ologele, Olosho, Ojeyemi, Idiroko, Bara, Ojeyemi, Toolu, Wale, Ikimo, all within Oyo State.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as; We call for justice, Arrest Eesa and Jide Akinyooye, We farm on oyo land not Ifon Osun among others, chanting songs to demonstrated their grievances.
Some of the famers, Bashiru Adegbenro, Wakili Olawoyin and Jimoh Adeyinka, said the perpetrators they came to attack them on the 4th of October on their farmland in Oyo state.
They said their farms, houses were burnt and destroyed in some instances, while some farm produces were being carted away by their aggresors.
Earlier on Wednesday, at a press conference, the PRO, Ilobu Asake Development Union, ODU, Tairu Babatunde had on behalf of the Union reiterated the town’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with all its neighbours.
Babatunde decried any sinister moves in disrespect of the peace deal between the two communities by any elements.
He said “It is, however, disheartening and shocking that despite this olive branch extended by the people of Ilobu to our neighbors, most particularly, the people of Ifon-Osun, what we receive is more attacks, dehumanization, destruction of properties and harassment of our people. This is very sad and it’s the only reason we have invited you here today. The world must know. Ilobu-Asake Development Union is an umbrella body for all sons and daughters of Ilobu and we owe it a duty to protect their interest.
“I want to tell you that since the ceasefire was declared, our people who are plying their trades in villages such as Oloso, Idi-Iriko, Owode and several other villages in Oyo State have not been allowed to witness peace. It has been attacks over attacks.
“Harassment and torture. We believe this must stop. Several farmlands invaded by people of Ifon-Osun whose name will be mentioned by victims that are here today. We have also submitted petition to relevant agencies and the government.
The PRO called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the attacks on Ilobu farmers.
He said “We want to advise the State government that peace building is a process and not an action, we want them to continue engagement as no engagement has been held since October 6th when the peace deal was signed.
“We also want the agents of the government, particularly, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Adekunle Omoyele to stop acting like an agent of Ifon people. The recent arrest of tipper drivers in Ilobu which was coordinated by him without recourse to Ilobu Divisional Police who have been at the center of managing this crisis, necessitated this call.”
Recall that, few months ago when lives and property were lost during the crisis between the two communities, the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke imposed dusk to dawn curfew on both Irepodun and Orolu local government areas to ensure that the crisis did not degenerate.
The Governor, on the 6th of October facilitated the signing of peace accord between the communities and alap lifted the curfew on the two local government areas.
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