A Network, Impact Hub Abuja has urged youths across the country to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to unlock new opportunities and gain empowerment.
The Founder, Mr Olalekan Oshunkoya, who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, said that harnessing AI would enable them drive innovation and growth in various fields.
Impact Hub is a network focused on building entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale.
Oshunkoya said that the Impact Hub Abuja brought together about 35 diverse youth leaders, advocates, policymakers and many others to discuss the opportunity in AI at the 2025 World Youth Skills Day.
“Our goal was to bring the best of our youths to the table to share ideas, insights and collectively explore how we can increase our understanding of AI’s impact in young people’s future.
“Also, how to use policy entrepreneurship to accelerate the power of AI to reduce youth unemployment and foster innovation.
“We want to identify threats to be mitigated, opportunities to be harnessed and actions that public, private, and youth actors can collaboratively take to support young people to thrive in an AI-powered world.
“We are locally rooted and globally connected and thus committed to using the incredible power of entrepreneurship, leadership, technology and collaboration for social good and contribution for a better world.
“That is why via our roundtable, we explored and gathered policy actions and ideas on how youth empowerment can be accelerated through Al and digital skills,” he said.
According to him, the Hub will continue the inclusive conversation on the potential of Al to help accelerate youth opportunity and empowerment through enhancement of digital skills, creativity, entrepreneurship and employability.
Oshunkoya recalled that during the roundtable, topics discussed included ‘AI and our World Today’, ‘Al and the Youth Opportunity’ and ‘Unlocking the Potential of Al’ to benefit young people in areas like education, employment, innovation, and inclusion.
“All these were explored to empower the youths on the advantages of AI and for them to use it to better themselves and the country at large, hence the call for them to do that,” the founder said. (NAN)
The Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the UN Women have begun the empowerment of more than 150 women on cassava processing and branding for the international market.
Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
Benjamins-Laniyi explained that the empowerment was under the FCT’s “Ba Yunwa: Ba Fushi” economic empowerment project with support from UN Women.
Ba yunwa: Ba fushi is a hausa expression which means “no hunger: no anger”.
She said that the beneficiaries were drawn from Sheda community in Kwali Area Council of the territory, to improve agricultural businesses in rural communities.
She said that the empowerment programme, which began on July 9, was to harness Sheda women’s entrepreneurial skills in processing and branding of “akpu”, a local delicacy for the international market.
Akpu, also known as fufu, is a popular Nigerian food, particularly among the Igbo people and other groups in the South-South region.
It is made from fermented cassava and often enjoyed with various Nigerian soups.
She said that 50 women were already trained as part of FCTA’s commitment to strengthening women’s resilience, improving food security, and enhancing overall well-being of residents.
She explained that the project was designed to empower women, girls, and children in the FCT, particularly the Akpu Women’s Group in Kwali Area Council.
She added that the goal of the project was to strengthen women’s resilience, improve food security, and enhance the overall well-being of residents in the FCT.
“It was also designed to provide access to a reliable source of water for the Akpu Women’s Group through the provision of a borehole for the Akpu Agro-processing Zone.
“This will enable the women to have access to a reliable source of water, which is essential for their agricultural activities.
“It was equally meant to equip the women with the skills and knowledge they need to start and manage their own businesses through business entrepreneurship and empowerment training.
“The overall goal is to improve the economic well-being of the women and their families,” she said.
Benjamins-Laniyi said that the project aligned with the administration’s commitment to gender inclusivity and sustainable development, a key part of the two-year celebration of renewed hope in the FCT.
She reiterated FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s commitment to empower women across the six area councils of the territory, in line with President Bola Tinubu ‘s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
According to her, the women were being trained extensively to improve their cassava processing and branding skills.
“This will enable them to tap the potential of the international market.
“We are poised to strengthen women’s capacity in agricultural processing, improve food security and enhance the overall well-being of FCT residents.
“This we are doing through strategic empowerment of Sheda women engaged in processing of “akpu”, with improved skills, improved standards of hygiene, as well as branded packaging for export.”
The mandate secretary added that a work shed and a borehole were being constructed for the women to provide conducive working environment and water to support their processing businesses.
She thanked UN Women for the continued support and partnership to change the lot of women, girls and children in the FCT.
Also, the Head of UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs Beatrice Enyong, said that the empowerment sought to build women’s capacity towards enhancing food security in Nigeria.
Enyong, who was represented at the event by the acting Deputy Country Representative, Mrs Patience Ekeoba, said that the empowerment would address challenges faced by women in agro-entrepreneurship, income generation and self-sufficiency.
She commended the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat for the bold initiative aimed at creating a community-driven solution for women, families and the local economy.
“This programme seeks to address several challenges in our community, such as lack of access to entrepreneurship training, low participation in economic activities and poor access to clean water and sanitation.
“Other challenges include limited skills for managing small businesses and the persistent burden for women to provide for their families with little structural support,” she said. (NAN)
Mr Dan Amos, member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, has empowered no fewer than 3,000 members of his constituency with N400m.
Amos made the donation at an event in Sanga Local Government Area on Thursday to commemorate his second anniversary in office.
The lawmaker, who is the House Committee Chairman on House Services, explained that the initiative was intended to provide support and relief to his constituents.
He noted that the beneficiaries were picked across different strata of the communities, including students, youths, women, men, community leaders, artisans, and traders.
“3,000 people will receive N100,000 each, while 100 other persons will get N1 million each, making a total of N400m,” he stated.
He added that he had constructed 120 boreholes, installed 25 solar powered water systems and deployed over 2,000 streetlights among others across his constituency in the last one year.
“These efforts are about restoring dignity to rural life, easing the burden on women and children, and creating a foundation for inclusive development,” he noted.
He assured his constituents that he would continue to meet their yearnings and aspirations, in line with his campaign promises.
“As we step into the third year of our mandate, I rededicate myself to listen more, serve better, and work harder,” he said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, described Amos as a dependable leader who had the best interest of his people at heart.
“Dan Amos is a blessing not only to his constituency but to the National Assembly and Nigeria as a whole.
“On behalf of the 10th Assembly, I want to thank the people of Jema’a and Sanga for giving us a man of impeccable character,” he added.
Chinda enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously as well as emulate the lawmaker in carrying people around them along.
Other speakers, including the House Minority Whip, Ali Isah, and former Deputy Gov. of Kaduna State, Nuhu Bajoga, and an APC stalwart, Tanko Rossi lauded Amos for the initiative, describing the invaluable gesture as timely.
They called on other well-meaning individuals and politicians to emulate the lawmaker in providing succour to the downtrodden at this critical time.
Some of the beneficiaries applauded the lawmaker for empowering them with the cash support, saying they would use it to boost their businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker had on Wednesday also distributed two trucks of fertiliser, 3,000 bags of rice and four tricycles to his constituents. (NAN)
The Dangote Cement has launched a Farmers Empowerment Programme (FEP) in Benue to support the government’s food security efforts.
The initiative is aimed at enabling 50 farmers to produce subsistence and cash crops in commercial quantity from Benue, which is considered to be the food basket of the nation.
The programme is coming barely two months after the company empowered businesswomen in Gboko with cash grants, thus deepening business activities in the State.
Earlier, the company had increased bursary payments to students of host communities by more than 100 per cent.
Speaking on Thursday at the launch of the programme, General Manager Social Performance, Johnson Kor, described the programme as ‘historic and innovative.’
He said the beneficiaries were selected from the company’s host communities of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue.
According to him, the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the six catchment areas of the Local Government.
Kor said that the projects have been earmarked for the communities as captured in the extant Community Development Agreement (CDA), adding that the contents of the CDA are progressively being executed.
“Today we are witnessing an historic occasion in our journey of mutual development. Farmers Empowerment Programme is the first programme to be launched since we signed the CDA with the immediate host communities in December 2024,” he said.
In his speech, Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Munusamy Murugan, said the company would also support farmers with fertilizers, Agro chemicals, Knapsack Sprayers and various types of seedlings.
Murugan, who was represented by Head of Production Department, Soom Kiishi, said: “This is the first batch but certainly just the beginning, and certainly not the end. We plan it to be an annual event, but the choice of the Farmers programme may change, depending on the choice of the benefiting communities.”
He said other economic empowerment programmes are lined up in the coming weeks.
“The Youth Empowerment Programme will soon be launched, and selected beneficiaries will receive training in Welding & Fabrication, and Solar Electrical Installation from professional personnel,” he added.
He said that the company’s scholarship scheme cuts across students from various disciplines and tertiary institutions.
A Consultant from Abbass Corporate Services, Dr Ahemen Samuel, advised the beneficiaries to make use of the rare opportunity from the Dangote Cement Plc.
The Consultant said the company’s effort would help transform beneficiaries into entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and enable them to support the government’s food security effort.
Responding, a member of the community, Kwaghgba Isaac, described the FEP as a historic and huge intervention from the company, noting that the effort would not boost subsistence farming and help feed the nation.
He urged members of the communities to sustain the peaceful coexistence currently being enjoyed with the company.(NAN)
Mrs Oghogho Musa, President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), says the International Widows’ Day celebration is a testament to the strength and resilience of widows, who face numerous challenges with courage and determination.
She stated this at an event to mark the Day with 255 widows, on Saturday in Kaduna.
“As we commemorate the 2025 International Widows’ Day, we take a moment to recognise the quiet warriors, who have faced the challenges of widowhood with courage and dignity.
”These women, who did not choose this path, have shown remarkable strength and resilience in the face of adversity,” she said.
Musa noted that some of the widows have expressed interest in farming and undergo training in Abuja, to learn the skills necessary for profitable farming.
She said the exercise avail them opportunities to acquire knowledge on farm management, business skills, and best practices to successfully run their own farms.
The DEPOWA president said some of the trainees were exposed to fashion and designs, adding that the association was providing financial support to its members to enable them to set up their businesses.
Musa said the association would be providing mentorship and support to help the widows build confidence, develop a positive mindset, and overcome challenges.
“The initiatives are already showing a positive impact, with some of the widows indicating areas where they need assistance and expressing their enthusiasm to learn and grow.
“The support and empowerment of the widows will enable them to break boundaries, build resilience, and create a better future for themselves and their families.
“On a message of hope to the windows; you are not alone, and you are not forgotten. You are strong, capable, and deserving of support and empowerment.
”With the right mindset and support, you can overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
We are here to support you every step of the way,” Musa said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event featured medical outreach and paper presentations by Amanda George and Amara Ezedinru on Financial Planning, and Emotional Wellbeing and Navigating Family Issues as Widows, respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
An NGO, Uplifting Youths Through Agriculture (UYOTA), has restated its commitment towards empowering Nigerian youths through agriculture.
The Co-Founder of the group, Mr Nnamdi Adigwe made the commitment during a news conference in Abuja.
Adigwe, said that the group would hold a summit on agricultural revolution with the theme: Agriculture, the Key to Economic Empowerment, Sustainable Development and Food Security in Africa.
He explained that the aim was to raise awareness in achieving food sustainability through youths’ engagement in agriculture.
“The Africa youth agri-business summit 2025 seeks to ignite youths’ interest in the agricultural value chain.
“We hope to empower them with the knowledge, tools and opportunities to see agriculture as a viable, profitable and sustainable business venture,” he said.
Adigwe who affirmed the group’s commitment to promoting agro-economy in Africa, said that through building such bridges, agribusiness could stimulate growth in our economy.
He said that the summit would offer opportunities to expand access to finance and investment by creating platforms for meaningful dialogue.
According to him, the summit will also help in tackling climate challenges in agriculture.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator, Mr Bola Ojo, said that the group would key into President Bola Tinubu vision for agricultural revolution.
Ojo, who commended President Tinubu’s agricultural policies, said that they would collaborate with the government in the area of ensuring food security.
He lauded the Minister of Youth Development and the leadership of the National Assembly for driving innovations and development in the agricultural sector.
Ojo said that the group through synergy with the government had made impacts on the youths at the sub-national levels, especially in understanding the importance of agriculture. (NAN)
African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, an NGO, says there is a need to prioritise the empowerment of children as a fundamental strategy for realising the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Dr Elizabeth Emeka-Onwucheka, Chairperson, Education and Mass Literacy Committee, AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly, made the call at the 2025 Children’s Day Celebration organised by the group.
According to Emeka-Onwucheka, the event, with the theme “From the Streets to the Classroom“ echoes the aspirations of Agenda 2063, a prosperous Africa where every child has access to education and dignity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agenda 2063 outlines Africa’s strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation into the global powerhouse of the future over a 50-year period.
The chairperson said that the call aligned with the AU’s vision of an inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Africa.
She emphasised the critical role of children in the continent’s development trajectory.
“The AU Agenda 2063 is big on creating the Africa we want.
“It is the children that we need to build the Africa we want, because they are the future of Africa.
“That is one of the things that we are doing today, educating the African child, taking the African child off the street to the classroom where they ought to be,” she said.
She expressed passion about building the dream Africa by equipping the children of today to take up that task.
“This is because they are the ones that will be here to run through the 50 years agenda of the AU Agenda 2063,”she said
Emeka-Onwucheka said that the Assembly collaborated with Premiere Academy and Cradle2Harvard International Schools (C2HIS) to carry out the project.
She said that the aim was to ensure that children already in the classrooms became the ambassadors for out-of-school children.
According to her, the objective is to make them ambassadors of the AU agenda while carrying their mates on the streets along to build the African dream.
The Principal of Premiere Academy Lugbe, Christopher Akinsowon, said that there were millions of African children on the streets who were out-of-school rather than in the classroom.
According to Akinsowon, African children are calling for help.
“They are full of potential; they are full of so many things they want to express themselves but due to certain imitations, they can not.
“They face limitations like school fees, inability to develop their immediate environment, and so many things that make them unable to give to the world what is expected of them.
“I think first and foremost, government legislation is very important.
“The role of government is key in addressing these challenges and then the individual effort,” she said.
Some students who participated in the event expressed readiness to grow into championing the AU Agenda 2063 and stressed the need to assist out-of-school children to get back to the classroom.
Ms Chikaima Ogunema, a student of Premiere Academy, commended the organisers of the event.
Ogunema said that the programme was impactful and it empowered her on what to do to contribute to Africa.
Deborah Ogaji from Government Secondary School, Wuye, Abuja, said that she had been empowered to be a change agent.6
“Today I learnt about the African child and that I can be anything I want to be, so I will help other children to realise their worth as Africans,”she said.
Another student, Mr Ebere Bassit, said that the programme was a good way to celebrate children’s day and also the African child, especially the homeless, orphans and marginalised ones. (NAN)
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says it created more than 90,160 jobs and empowered 116,661 entrepreneurs across the country in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.
Mr Charles Odii, Director-General of SMEDAN, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the figures were contained in the agency’s Q1 performance report.
Odii attributed the achievements to targeted empowerment programmes and strategic collaborations with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
He said SMEDAN partnered with organisations such as Google, Wema Bank, and members of the National Assembly to train entrepreneurs in digital and financial literacy.
The partnerships, he said, also facilitated access to finance, markets, and essential tools for small businesses.
“SMEDAN also supported the formalisation of thousands of small businesses by assisting them with registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), thereby enhancing their chances of accessing funding and participating in supply chains.
“In Q1 alone, we distributed 123,743 work tools, including laptops, mini-buses, industrial sewing machines, generators, and tricycles, to entrepreneurs in all 36 states,” Odii said.
He also highlighted the success of the SMEDAN Garment and Textile Hub at the Idu Industrial Development Centre in Abuja, which he described as a model for inclusive industrial development.
“The solar-powered hub, made possible through a partnership with the UNDP, enables fashion entrepreneurs to access affordable industrial machines and stable power supply, thereby increasing productivity and job creation.”
Odii reiterated the agency’s commitment to the “GROW Nigerian” strategy, focusing on Guidance, Resources, Opportunities, and Workforce support for SMEs.
“The result is more jobs, stronger businesses, and greater value unlocked within communities nationwide,” he added.
He noted that several strategic partnerships signed during the review period would begin to yield results in subsequent quarters, especially in areas like financing and value chain development.
Odii reaffirmed SMEDAN’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, stressing that the agency remained committed to supporting MSMEs as drivers of inclusive economic growth. (NAN)
The MTN Foundation has inaugurated a Digital Skills Academy, a platform aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with digital competencies to enhance their employability and economic participation.
Speaking at the event on Thursday in Abuja, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, said the initiative aligned with the Foundation’s commitment to education, health and economic empowerment.
According to Sanya, the academy will provide structured digital learning for young Nigerians from secondary school level through to professional certification.
“We have developed a platform that is not only accessible but impactful, from guiding secondary school students through career-aligned psychometric tests to offering over 23 career learning paths.
“We believe that the person who understands digital skills and technology will eventually displace those who do not, that is why we are investing in building this capacity, especially for our youth,” she said.
She explained that the goal was to reach underserved communities across Nigeria through partnerships with government and other stakeholders, with a long-term target of training at least three million Nigerians in five years.
“We don’t want this to stay in Abuja, Lagos or Port Harcourt. We want to reach Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and the rural corners of Nigeria,” she added.
On his part, Mr Simon Aranonu, a Director in the Foundation, described the initiative as a bold step toward democratising education and empowering individuals across the country.
“We recognise that digital skills are an essential currency in the global job market, they shape the way we work and learn and challenge our ability to adapt and grow,” he said.
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, commended the Foundation for the initiative, saying that it is timely and critical to national development.
“I commend the MTN Foundation for your vision, not only in launching this programme today but for everything you have done in supporting capacity development in our nation.
“The MTN Skills Academy will not only raise digital literacy but broaden the possibilities for youths in Nigeria,” he said.
He called for more collaboration between public and private sectors to drive innovation and digital inclusion.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, represented by Mrs Ebiho Agun, Deputy Director of Enterprise Development, described the academy as a timely and strategic initiative to empower Nigerian youths with essential digital skills.
“This launch is a call to action, a call to invest, and to innovate.
“The MTN Foundation Skills Academy is a bridge to opportunity and a spark for the next generation of Nigerian tech leaders,” he said.
The event drew participation from stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society, all united in the mission to create a digitally empowered future for Nigerian youths. (NAN)
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, African women in land professions have called for policies that would boost women’s access to land and remove gender disparity.
They also called for the involvement of more women in land management across the African continent.
The women’s demands are part of the resolutions of the First African Women Land Professionals Associations (AWLPA) Conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Conference was convened by the International Federation of Surveyors-African Regional Network (FIG-ARN).
The communique made available to NAN, was signed by Ambassador Mohammed Kabir, the Chairperson of FIG-ARN, and Mr Izuegbu Uju, Conference Secretary.
The conference called for more land rights programmes to promote public awareness, eliminate gender disparity, and increase the number and visibility of women in land management in Africa.
It encouraged all stakeholders to sustain the push for policy, legal and institutional reforms to increase women leadership positions in land governance.
It also advocated the adoption of a whole-of-the community approach in addressing the challenges faced by women in African societies.
The conference, which witnessed a series of presentations, deliberations, panel and brainstorming sessions, advocated the development of a Strategic Capacity Development Framework (SCDF) for African women land professionals.
“The framework shall focus on e-learning, training, coaching, mentoring, digital skill acquisition and support programmes to empower women in land professions in Africa,” the communique said.
It urged FIG-ARN to collaborate with relevant stakeholders such as UN Women and the African Union Land Governance Strategy, on advocacy and implementation of frameworks for gender equality in land governance.
It suggested the introduction of gender quota to address disparities in land allocation in African communities.
The conference emphasised that the FIG-ARN should seek support of the African Union(AU), and other relevant stakeholders to develop an African cross-border knowledge transfer platform and other programmes for the empowerment of women land professionals.
It also emphasised the need for the promotion and integration of women education and industry in Africa.
The conference participants urged Universities and institutions of higher learning in Africa to improve their curricula and provide practical support toward promoting and integrating the womenfolk.
They urged FIG-ARN to develop and support actionable strategies within the framework of the African Union Land Governance Strategy, with focus on women land rights clinic days.
Some of the participants at the First African Women Land Professionals Associations Conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
FIG-ARN was also urged to champion community-level awareness campaigns for guaranteeing equal rights to land, protecting women’s land tenure security, and respecting women’s independent decisions on land matters in Africa.
The conference pressed for coordinated international and regional support to African countries to adopt and implement a fit-for-purpose approach to land administration.
Such approach, it said, should ensure affordable land recordation and facilitate registration of continuum of land rights, particularly on issues that are of critical concern to women.
It urged donor agencies to increase funding in support of women’s land rights programmes for promoting public awareness and eliminating gender disparity while increasing the number and visibility of women in land management.
It encouraged stakeholders to sustain the push for institutional reforms to have more women in the making of government decisions that affect land governance.
It also advocated a more positive approach to the challenges faced by women in African societies.
The conference called on African women land professional associations to foster closer collaboration with international, regional, and community women’s rights groups.
It identified the groups to include UN Women, Landesa, Stand for Her Land Campaign, and International Land Coalition.
“The partnership should focus on benchmarking, capacity building, and implementation of gender-specific projects,” the communique added.
It noted the resolve of the Tanzanian government toward implementing positive policies for gender balance and equal representation in both elective and appointive offices, and particularly appreciated the attempts at extending those policies into the land governance sector.
NAN reports that the conference formed the Network of African Women Land Professional Associations (NAWLPA), under the auspices of the FIG-ARN, to manage and coordinate the implementation of the resolutions.
The election of its leadership is to be held at the AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during the 2nd AWLPA Conference slated to hold from 10 to14 November, 2025.
Among delegates at the Conference were the President of FIG, Dr. D. A. Dumashie, and the representative of AU Commission, Dr Janet Edeme.
Also at the Conference was Mr Hans Ni, Secretary-General of the Working Committee on International Exchange and Cooperation of China Association for Geospatial Industry and Sciences. (NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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