By Felicia Imohimi

An NGO under the aegis of School of Government and Politics (SOGP), has called for collective action to address unemployment in Africa to mitigate social vices across the continent.

Mr Augustine Nnakwe, Programme Director, SOGP, said this on the sidelines of the Africa Job Creation and Investment summit in Abuja.

He said the summit organised by SOGP led by Mrs Obii Harry, in partnership with Trybe Africa, was aimed at addressing the alarming rate of unemployment in Africa.

The programme director said through collaboration, there would be job opportunities in various sectors of the economy and improvement in the lives of millions of Africans.

“As we look towards the future, it is essential to recognise that unemployment is a continental challenge that requires a collective and urgent response,” Nnakwe said.

He lauded SOGP and Trybe Africa for their leadership role in addressing critical issues in the continent and urged other stakeholders to support the initiative.

“By working together we can create a brighter future for Africa and its people.

“The programme was informed by the need to find sustainable solutions to the employment challenges in the continent.
“It is no secret that Africa records one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world, with more than 200 million young people and women currently unemployed,” he added.

He said the summit’s objectives include the creation of a platform where stakeholders across the continent could meet to discuss current state of unemployment in Africa and proffer workable solutions.

Nnakwe said it was also an avenue for networking among job creators and investors, with a view to creating job opportunities across several sectors.

“The summit is to encourage further investment in Africa’s economy through discussions and presentations of viable investment opportunities.

“The initiative also hopes to enhance skills development through training and mentoring programmes. By developing necessary skills and competencies, job seekers and entrepreneurs can become more marketable and attract investors.”

Nnakwe said SOGP was born out of the need to prepare the next generation of Africans for governance by developing their leadership capacity.

It was also born out of the need to enlighten the populace to demand accountability from their leaders, the programme director added.

Dayo Benjamin-Laniyi, the Chairperson, Trybe Africa Board, and CEO Doxa Media, said the summit was about unlocking the immense potentials of Africa job market.

She said it was also to drive key threads in different professions and entrepreneurial spaces, to drive economic growth across the continent.

Benjamin-Laniyi said that Trybe Africa believed that job creation was the solution to the social insecurity, adding that poverty alleviation should be replaced by the mind-set of wealth creation.

“By investing in the youth we believe our partnership will empower you not just as you today but as people who are able to converse with the pedigree of engaging government.

“Also a pedigree of packaging and delivery of governmental mantra. Just get in your track and demand the way forward by your motions,” he added.

NAN reports that the programme brought together several stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society organisations to develop sustainable solutions to the unemployment challenge in the continent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Maharazu Ahmed

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have reiterated their commitment towards providing succor to displaced persons.

They made the commitment when the UNHCR representative paid a courtesy call on the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, on Monday in Abuja.

In his remarks, Ahmed appreciated the team of UNHCR representative for the visit and appealed for more financial support to enable the commission to execute its projects.

Ahmed said that the commission was working tirelessly to ensure that persons of concern remained top in national and international agenda.

“The commission is ready to maintain an objective planning to ensure that the enactment comes to an end and this has been achieved through well-coordinated interventions from the UNHCR.

He also drew the attention of UNHCR to the activities of the commission for onwards improvement, saying that some of its members staff were being own for a project they executed.

“Also reconsider the amount of money allocated to the commission and see a way of reviewing it upwards for the betterment and progress of the projects.

“Looking at the cost of transportation, in particular as a result of the subsidy removal, what we were given in the last two years is still what we received,” he said.

The commissioner also assured UNHCR that there would be a thorough audit on the activities of the commission to ensure transparency and accountability.

Speaking on the status of refugees, he said that a committee would be constituted before the end of the month to look into the outstanding issues as related to refugees whose status were yet to be considered.

In her response, Ms Bernadette Muteshi, the Deputy Representative, UNHCR, said that considering their regular responsibility with the country the commission worked very closely with the Federal Commissioner of Refugees to advance its international protection mandate.

“And, also to ensure that Nigeria continues to uphold its commitment and obligations to the international community,” Muteshi said.

According to her, statistically the number of refugees in the country is over 100,000, IDPs – 2.2 million, returnees over 300,000 and estimated population of 50,000 stateless persons.

“So, together with the commissioner, we work on our protection mandate ranging from their reception and registration, protection intervention as well as providing durable solution for them.

“We also carry out all other activities beyond registration such as child protection, access to legal aid, gender based violence, community based interventions and Integrity mechanism to ensure that we don’t have any instances of fraud within our operations,” she said.

The UNHCR Representative further said that together with the government the commission was able to identify the most suitable solution for persons of concern after a period of time.

“Whether is their ability to return home in safety and dignity or to be taking to another country for resettlement or if there is any potential consideration for local integration should they have any strong social economic tied linked with the country,” she added.(NAN)(nannews.com.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Naomi Sharang

Pastor-in- Charge of Summit Bible Church, Kubwa, Dan Anorue, has said that Nigeria will prosper inspite of the economic downturn occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

He made the remarks at the celebration of the Church’s 18th anniversary with the theme “Flourish” held on Sunday.

Delivering his sermon with emphasis from the Book of Psalms 92:12, the cleric said that it was only the righteous that shall flourish “like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon”.

He urged christians not to be deterred by the economic challenges saying that as citizens of Nigeria, “things must change.

“We must flourish in this nation. To flourish means to boom, blossom and  prosper which is the will of God for every believer.

“We are seeing beyond the challenges of hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidy. We are faith people. We know the plans of God for this nation is enormous.

“God has so blessed this nation. This is a good land. God is interested in the affairs of this nation.

“We know the word of God has already prevailed. Jesus has given us the victory. We know that the church is matching forward. We know that the land is good, that the land is prospering.”

He further said that this was a time for the faithful to take responsibility;a time to breakout and a time to breakthrough.

“It’s time to do things not just like before but to see that the glory of God is diffused to people around us. People should see us as matured Christians,” Anorue said.

Speaking on the 18th anniversary of the church, Anorue said that God has  so grown the church in terms of spiritual and numerical increase.

“We are so happy that we have been built in good faith; in God’s Word; in His knowledge. So we can go there to flourish, just like the word has said we should go flourish like a palm tree and grow like the cedar in Lebanon.”

On his part, the guest minister, pastor Kunle Ladejobi who frowned at Japa syndrome, said that Nigeria has got both human and natural resources to flourish.

“I like my country, even when I go, I’m coming back. Nigeria must deliver to us. We will fulfill purpose, we will please God,” he said.

While quoting the Holy Scripture from the Book of Genesis Chapter 26 verse 12, Ladejobi said that in spite of hunger in the land, Christians would still prosper.

“In famine, if you remember clearly in famine, Isaac in the Bible sowed and he received hundredfold.

“So, God is able to guide you even where there is no water to where water is.”

He urged the faithful to focus their attention on God who has all the solution man needed to prosper.

“Even when things are going so expensive, God is able to provide for His own. We need to rely on God, follow His direction and instruction and we will receive His provision.”

For one of the pioneer members of the church, Mrs Odinakaonye Lagi, 18 years has being a journey which she described as a good one.

“This is because one thing about Summit Kubwa that makes it enduring and standing strong is the way members are closely knitted together.

“It’s hard to walk away because of how close everybody is together,” she said.

She urged christians to remain steadfast in the challenging times saying that “in this time, it is what the Bible predicted that the times are coming to an end. In spite of all, we know He’s always there with us, we will overcome.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Kingsley Akwudolu said that it was a fantastic moment for the church at 18.

“We give all glory to God. This 18th anniversary has being glorious.”

Highlight of the anniversary was special performances and cutting of anniversary cake.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Royal Ambassadors Charity Home, has called for an end to harmful cultural practices against widows in the country.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Amb. Jonathan Okwudiri made the call during the inauguration of the Abuja executive working team of the charity home, on Saturday.

Okwudiri said that the maltreatment of widows and other vulnerable women in the society should be stopped to enable them exercise their rights as citizens.

He said that those perpetrating the acts were insensitive to the harm done to widows under the guise of culture and tradition.

The executive director expressed concern that the victims have been left to suffer in silence by the society.

“It is a debt society owes itself as a mutually functional growing unit to protect the vulnerable ones among them.

“I have discovered that in Nigeria, widows are neglected, victimised, intimidated and humiliated,” he added.

“Our culture and society are not favourable to them at all. The worst part of it all is that when any widow doesn’t have male children, the relatives of her late husband gives her trouble.

“They disturb and frustrate such widow by trying to possess what their late brother acquired before his death.”

Okwudiri said that the organisation has assembled a team of advocates and human right activists to advocate for the rights of widows, including their protection and welfare.

He said that the advocacy would include pushing for a law by the National Assembly to protect the rights and privileges of widows.

“We are very much aware that there is no specific law in Nigeria that protects widow’s right unlike the People with Disabilities and children that have laws passed for their protection,” he said.

Okwudiri also said that the organisation would undertake regular empowerment of widows through skills acquisition and free medical healthcare services.

He added that the organisation had registered a multipurpose cooperative society to grant loans and agricultural empowerment packages to members.

Okwudiri appealed to government, corporate organisations, civil society groups and individuals to support the empowerment programmes of the organisation targeted at widows.

In her speach, the National Coordinator of People with Disabilities, Mrs Dorcas Ameh called on the public to stop labeling the PWDs, but support them to be self reliant.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated Abuja Chapter executive working team, the Coordinator, Amb. Goodluck Ikiebe appreciated the leadership of the organisation for giving them the opportunity to serve.

Ikiebe lauded the organisation boss for his doggedness and hard work, assuring that they would be diligent in realising objectives of the organisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Royal Ambassadors Charity Home was set up to help, care and empower orphans, widows, PwDs, abandoned children, destitute, the poor and other vulnerable persons. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

National Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN) has commended Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State for his unwavering commitment to ensuring safety of the lives and property of the people of the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the National Speaker of the assembly, Usman Shagari, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to Shagari, NYAN firmly believes that an environment of safety and security is pivotal for the overall development and progress of the nation.

“Recognising the pressing security challenges faced by the northern region, NYAN calls on all other governors to emulate Gov. Radda and take urgent action to address the prevailing security challenge.

“By providing adequate security support in their respective states, we can collectively work toward securing a peaceful and prosperous nation,” he said.

Shagari also called on Nigerians to join hands with the government, security agencies and other stakeholders in their collective efforts to surmount the security challenges facing the country.

“Together, we can build a secure and prosperous future for all,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) has announced its partnership with the Synapse Services and the Centre for Psychological Medicine to address mental health issues among security personnel.

The Director General of OSPRE, Chris Ngwodo, made this known during a roundtable on mental healthcare for personnel of the armed forces, security services and law enforcement agencies on Friday in Abuja.

The event was to commemorate the World Mental Health Day with commandants and representatives of medical corps and units from the defence, security and law enforcement sectors.

Ngwodo said mental health challenges of security personnel have adverse impact on combat readiness and undermined civil-military and civil-security relations.

He said it create reputational and operational problems for agents of the state, and sows alienation between civilian communities and security agencies.

Ngwodo stated that the mental health of combatants was a public health issue especially with respect to the reintegration of veterans back into civilian life.

“Unaddressed mental health challenges can be deeply problematic for the families of serving personnel, and can have an adverse impact on the psyche of children, for instance, and thus create a chain reaction of psychological trauma,” he said.

A Consultant Psychiatrist with Synapse Services, Dr Vincent Udenze, called for quality mental health services and the role of the private sector in providing essential healthcare, counseling and other forms of support to security agents.

He noted the strides that various security institutions had made in addressing the mental health needs of officers, he stressed that these efforts need to be consolidated.

Udenze therefore urged stakeholders to collaboratively improve the quality of mental healthcare provided for security personnel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable deliberated on the rationale, conception and implementation of the programme and its benefits for the nation’s security establishment and the country at large.

The forum discussed a proposal to establish the Combat Rehabilitation Support and Trauma Service (CRESTS), a multi-agency joint facility for the care of personnel of armed forces, security services and law enforcement agencies to address post-traumatic stress syndrome and other complex disorders arising from combat-related stressors.

The forum included representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, Defence Headquarters and the Office of the National Security Adviser as well those of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Others are the Department of State Services, the National Park Service, the Nigeria Correctional Service, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, who all agreed on the need to pool resources to promote specialised treatment addressing the mental healthcare needs of their officers.

They endorsed the proposed Combat Rehabilitation Support and Trauma Service (CRESTS) as the ideal vehicle for advancing the cause of world class care for their personnel. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola