President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to honour his campaign commitment of generating one million new jobs in the digital economy for their upliftment and national economic development more broadly.

The president made the pledge again Saturday in his message on the occasion of the 2023 International Youth Day (IYD), while renewing the commitment of his administration to creating meaningful opportunities for Nigerian youths.

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President Tinubu, who acknowledged the growing interest and impact of many young Nigerians in technology-related fields the world over, expressed belief in the principle, “to whom much is given, much is expected,” and remains undeterred in his focus on delivery.

While listing job creation, education and skills development, digital innovation, financial technology, and youth participation in governance, the president Tinubu stressed that youth empowerment remained a fundamental pillar of all reform actions being implemented across sectors in order to create an environment where Nigerian youths can thrive and contribute to the growth and development of the nation.

As agents of change, President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokeman, Ajuri Ngelale, urged the youth to champion national progress, unity and collective prosperity for all citizens of our beloved country.

In tandem with the theme of this year’s event: “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World,” the president implored young Nigerians to spearhead efforts aimed at achieving the highest quality of sustainable development, which will shape the future of our planet in conformity with his agenda of expanding green job opportunities and advocating for renewable energy solutions as an integral part of Nigeria’s current and future energy mix.

On this International Youth Day celebration, President Tinubu assured the younger generation that his administration will consistently engage with and listen to them with a view to implementing their important and forward-looking feedback.

The president, while highlighting his commitment to active listening and engagement, said the enactment of The Student Loan Act and the provision of buses to the Student Bodies of all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education nationwide stood out as tangible examples of his administration’s responsiveness.

President Tinubu extended his best wishes to all Nigerian youth on this joyous International Youth Day Celebration.

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, lamented that the foundation of election in Nigeria is corrupt while calling on Christians to participate in politics to make it clean.

Obasanjo, speaking at the 57th annual convention and 67th anniversary of The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), held at Gospel City, Ogunmakin, Ogun State, said politics should not ordinarily be dirty, adding that those who participate in politics make it dirty.

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Speaking on the theme, ‘The roles of the church in nation building at a time like this,’ the former president, who congratulated the church on the successful hosting of the convention, said Christians must stand out among the corruptive tendencies and influences of the world, particularly in politics.

He told the audience that as believers, they must stick to the values of Christ and ask themselves all the time, ‘What will Christ do if He finds himself in the circumstances that I find myself in?’

He said at a time like this in the country, when there is insecurity, hopelessness, poverty, depression, a time that is not conducive to living, the church must rise to the occasion as the salt of the world.

“We are in the world, yet we are not of the world. We are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. We are to be like Jesus who, when He was in the world, did not belong to the world,” Obasanjo told the congregants.

He urged the church to demand justice, fairness and equity in the country’s social, political and economic aspects.

Speaking further, he said, “Food without salt is stale. The church is meant to flavour it’s environment. A church that cannot play its role has lost its saltiness. Christ has chosen us to bring forth fruits and that our fruits should abide.”
He described the task of nation-building as endless, a journey and not a destination, as he tasked believers to stand out and remain exemplary anywhere they are.

Above all, Obasanjo admonished Christians to bear the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

“Living in the world is not a bed of roses. Christ had told us there will be tribulations and hardships so that we can prepare ahead and just as he came out as a conqueror, we also will come out as conquerors,” he concluded.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, the General Overseer of GOFAMINT, Pastor (Dr) E. O. Abina, had recalled that during a visit to Aso Rock Chapel when Obasanjo was president, he met him teaching Sunday School, adding that when they both spoke on his arrival at the convention ground, the former president told him to his astonishment that he is still teaching Sunday School.

The Niger Delta Youth Parliament (NDYP) has called for the overhaul and resuscitation of all the nation’s refineries as part of plans to revive the country’s ailing economy, saying this would also help to create jobs and provide basic infrastructural needs of the country.

The NDYP who stated this while honouring the lawmaker representing Akoko North East/ North West federal constituency and Minister- designate, Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, with the Niger Delta most outstanding Legislator award’

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The group who described the Minister designate as a national asset and as a reliable Youth Ambassador from the Niger Delta region of the country.

The Speaker, Niger Delta Youth Parliament (NDYP), Rt. Hon. Ifon Daniel Samuel while adopting the motion to confer the award on Tunji-Ojo, said the group has passed a vote of confidence on the Ministerial nominee of for his patriotic service to the people and the country.

Samuel said Tunji-Ojo excellent service and commitment to the advancement through the constant development of young adults in the region has helped to reshape the youths not only in the region but in the country.

The group said the decision of President Tinubu to nominate Tunji-Ojo as a Minister is indicated that the President gives priority to competence assuring that the ministerial nominee will not disappoint Nigerians.

The group however, urged “the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to resuscitate all the moribund refineries in Nigeria and issue new license to individuals or group of individuals to build more refineries across all the geo-political zone in the country.

“That President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should embrace liberalisation and encourage establishment of local modular refineries, hence engage illegal local refiners for international training, stressed that approval of local modular refineries in oil producing communities would usher in a rapid development of a new Nigeria we dreamed of”

The NDYP commended the Federal Government over the bold step taken by President Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidy, saying it will go a long way to reposition the nation’s economy.

“While it is one thing to remove fuel subsidy, it is another thing if not the most important thing to follow up and actualize the said purpose why it was removed.

“Hence the NDYP hereby call on the Ministry of Petroleum to monitor day-to-day activities of all the personnel saddled with the responsibility of executing President Tinubu’s policies in the oil sector with a view to ensuring effective service delivery and proper implementation.

Comrade Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State has those he described as mischief makers and political jobbers of making a concerted effort to widen the gulf between him and Governor Godwin Obaseki, thereby destabilise the peace in the state.

Reacting to a ‘shocking’ statement by Governor Obaseki where he alleged desperation and a coup to oust him, Shaibu while speaking to his aides in Benin on Saturday, said political jobbers sold the dummy to the governor whom he referred to as ‘elder brother’ with a view to provoking more crisis so they can benefit from it.

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According to him, it is preposterous to contemplate a coup to a man who has given him too much latitude.

The Deputy Governor, who denounced the allegations, stated categorically that these claims are not only baseless but also malicious attempts by political jobbers hell-bent on misleading the governor with the singular aim of damaging his reputation and sowing seeds of discord “between me and my brother governor.”

Shaibu reiterated his unwavering loyalty to Governor Obaseki and the principles of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which they both belong.

He stated further that it is a privilege to serve as Governor Obaseki’s Deputy, adding that he has consistently within the last seven years demonstrated his commitment to the advancement of a shared vision for Edo State. Shuaibu described insinuation that he harbours ulterior motives or seeks to undermine the Governor’s leadership as nothing short of a fabrication.

He maintained that he believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration. As a testament to this, the deputy governor added that he has worked tirelessly with Governor Obaseki to deliver on the promises they made to the good people of Edo State with achievements in various sectors, including; education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation.

Continuing, Shuaibu noted that as Deputy Governor, his role is to support and complement the Governor’s agenda, not to undermine it.

“I have consistently advocated for policies and initiatives that align with this administration’s goals and aspirations. It is disheartening to see such baseless allegations being propagated, as they only serve to distract the administration from its primary objective of serving the people of Edo State,” he said.

He reiterated his resolve to remain an unrepentant democrat who believes in the democratic process and respects the mandate given to Governor Obaseki and himself by the people of the state. He, however, described the insinuation that he would consider a coup to overthrow a democratically elected government as not only absurd but also deeply offensive.

The deputy governor urged the media and the public to approach these allegations with the skepticism they deserve. He encouraged all to focus on the issues that truly matter to the people of Edo State — improving their lives, providing quality education, ensuring accessible healthcare, and creating employment opportunities.

Shuaibu concluded by stressing that Governor Obaseki and himself are united in their determination to build a prosperous and inclusive society, likewise committed to the continued development of Edo State.

He called upon all well-meaning individuals to reject these divisive narratives and join in the quest to transform the state into a model of sustainable development and good governance, urging Edo state PDP politicians to embrace peace and seek unity to fight the common enemy.

According to our source, the Governor had sent his deputy, on that day, to proceed to Edo North to resolve some political crises. He was on his way when the Chief of Staff to the Governor called that the governor needed his attention in Benin.

The Deputy reportedly informed the CoS to inform the governor that he was already close to the Afuze axis to address the issue the governor directed him to do, which Governor Obaseki allegedly acknowledged.

Sources revealed that the Deputy has always appreciated his elder brother the governor wherever he gives him tasks. According to him, the appointment of political office holders is the prerogative of the governor, therefore, “if governor decides to allow his deputy to nominate candidates to fill any position is a privilege.”

The source said that political jobbers who also include hack writers have generated more lies from the pit of hell, saying that Comrade Philip Shaibu has perfected plans to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC) next week. “There is no iota of truth in this,” he said.

“To further put a lie to this, the spin doctors claimed that the APC National Working Committee, NWC is set to receive him in Abuja. The question here for the discerning minds is that, is it the NWC of a party that receives a decampee into the party? Shaibu has never minced words, vowing to sink and swim with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki. This, he has said severally at public fora,” he added.

According to him, these evil men acting as agents of evil have come up with unbelievable accusations like coming late to State Executive meetings, attempting to slap the Secretary to the State Government, being the brain behind feuds between Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and governor, Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Obaseki, Dan Orbih and Obaseki and many others.

“In view of this, I plead with these characters bent on driving a wedge between Comrade Philip Shaibu and his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki to put the Edo project and the people far above their own selfish interest,” he added.

Recall that Governor Obaseki claimed on Friday that Shaibu, will explore every avenue to achieve his governorship ambition, including plotting a coup to oust him (the incumbent) from office.

The governor said this during a meeting with elders and leaders from Etsako West, East and Central Local Government Areas of the State, held in Jattu, Etsako West council as part of campaigns for the September 2, 2023, local council election.

He said, “My Deputy Governor has become so desperate to take over and is ready to do anything, including carrying out a coup d’etat to ensure he kicks me out and becomes the governor of Edo State.”

Some protesters have taken to the streets in Kano State to kick against the imminent use of force to resolve the Niger coup crisis.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had directed military forces of the member states to be on standby.

The protesters on Saturday embarked on the demonstration to show their displeasure at the planned military invasion of Niger Republic.

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While moving in a procession, they were chanting “Nigeriens are our brothers, Nigeriens are also our family.

“Niger is ours, we don’t want war, war against Niger is injustice, a plot by the western forces.”

They displayed Nigeria and Niger’s flags alongside placards, chanting anti-war catchphrases.

This followed an intense call from different quarters, especially Northerners who believe that Nigeriens are neighbours with whom they share things in common.