By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to youth development with the launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a major initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with essential skills for global competitiveness.

The launch took place on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing the President, emphasized the need to invest in Nigeria’s youthful population to drive economic growth and innovation.

NiYA aims to train millions of youths over the next two years in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries.

Tinubu noted that with Nigeria’s median age at 17 and the country projected to become the world’s third-largest population by 2050, this initiative is crucial in tackling unemployment and bridging the skills gap.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described NiYA as a transformative platform to empower young Nigerians with marketable skills.

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, added that the program targets over 60 million youths, positioning them for success in the global digital economy.

As part of the launch, six young Nigerians from different geo-political zones received N1 million each as start-up support.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

A petition demanding the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan from the Kogi Central Senatorial District has been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The petition, presented by a group called Concerned Kogi Youth and Women at INEC headquarters in Abuja, accuses the senator of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and actions that have embarrassed the district and the Nigerian Senate.

Signed by over 250,000 registered voters, the petition surpasses the constitutional threshold for a recall.

The group’s leader, Charity Ijoshe Omole, insisted that Natasha’s suspension from the Senate had left Kogi Central without proper representation.

Citing Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, the petitioners urged INEC to act swiftly and declare her seat vacant.

By Gbenga Adeniyi 

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Honorable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has condemned the withdrawal of services by local government workers, calling it unfortunate and unnecessary.

Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye described the workers’ action as a move that has thrown local councils into administrative paralysis, inflicting hardship on residents at the grassroots.

He urged them to return to work immediately to prevent further collapse of essential services.

“For over a month, key services in local government areas have been crippled due to this strike.

Clinics, primary health care centres, marriage registries, and administrative offices have been shut down, leaving pregnant women, students, and job seekers stranded,” he said.

The former lawmaker argued that since elected council chairmen are in place, there is no justification for workers to abandon their duties.

He called on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state to resist being used to frustrate local government administration.

“These unions are supposed to be apolitical. Their duty is to serve the government in power, not to disrupt governance,” he added.

To ensure workers’ safety upon resumption, Oyintiloye said council chairmen would collaborate with security agencies to maintain order.

He assured that any crisis in the local councils had been contained, creating a peaceful environment for workers to return.

Commending members of the Association of Concerned Local Government Staff for their readiness to resume work, he warned the state government against using divide and rule tactics to weaken local government administration.