NEWS
How young people can influence public policies, political process: CPS Ajakaye
The Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye on Tuesday charged the youths to continue to leverage their huge population and power of the new media to constructively engage governments and negotiate for quality representation, among other legitimate demands.
He said it is not enough for young persons to agitate for right leadership and good governance in the country without participating actively in the processes that produce their representatives across the board.
Ajakaye spoke in Ilorin at the 24th Inauguration Ceremony and Launch of “The HERO Magazine”, produced by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kwara State axis. The publication was dedicated to the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, highlighting some of the sectoral achievements of the administration.
“Youths in this country need to marry their ownership of the new media space with a strong presence in the ‘real world’ of participatory politics and mass engagement. If you want to see persons who understand your positions in government offices, you need to be in the room where delegates for shadow elections are chosen. You need to ensure that candidates standing in an election emerge from a process that you took part in,” he said.
“You cannot complain that political parties presented ‘never-do-wells’ as their candidates, thereby limiting your choices at the general election, when you stay away from the process that produces them.
“Statista puts the average age of the Nigerian person at 18.6. What this means is that half of Nigeria’s over 200m people are below age 18, while all persons above that age constitute the second half. If you remove persons between 15 and 29 who are mostly students in various areas of studies from the second half, what you have left is a negligible minority in terms of demography.”
The CPS, whose lecture was themed ‘Bridging the gap between the students and government: the future of the Nigerian Youths, Opportunities and Challenges’, noted that there is hardly a gap to bridge between the youth and government, considering the size of young persons and students that are now involved in different positions of authority nationwide.
“I do not believe there is really a gap to bridge between the students, or the youths, and governments at any level in Nigeria. Not only are students properly constituted as a power bloc in the various student movements nationwide, different governments have also established the office of the Special Assistant on Student Affairs that is a go-between for the two power centers. In many cases, there is either an office of the Special Adviser or a standalone Ministry on Youth Development,” he said.
“But what I think is open to question is how much the intimidating size of this demography (students and young people) has really shaped governance, public policy, and allocation of public resources. While things are empirically changing for the better, with Kwara under His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a positive reference point in his unprecedented support for young people, a lot can still be done in a way that benefits not just young people but will also create the right environment for equitable access to good education, upward (social) mobility, economic growth and sustainable development.”
He said the growing population of young people is both an opportunity and a threat, requesting them to leverage their different organizational bodies to advocate sustainable solutions to the crisis of (poor) education, lack of job, extreme poverty, and hunger in the land.
The event was well attended by the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Mrs Mary Arinde; Commissioner for Youth Development Hon. Nafisat Buge; Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs Comrade Wasiu Onidugbe; Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic Dr. Jimoh Abdul; Senator Khairat AbdulRazaq who was represented by Prof Saudat AbdulBaqi; leaders of various students’ unions; and dozens of students.
Arinde and Buge, in their separate remarks, said the administration is walking the talk by putting high premium on the welfare of students and trusting the young persons with leadership positions.
Buge appreciated the leadership of NANS in the state for documenting some of the achievements of the present administration for future references.
Onidugbe, for his part, said the honour done to Governor AbdulRazaq by NANS serves as another good testimony that their interest is well represented, adding that the recent payment of bursary to students by government is a typical example.
He said the administration will continue to prioritize the students’ welfare in the state.
Senator AbdulRazaq, in her remarks, tasked the students to accord their study a priority and commended them for their decent play of students’ unionism.
NEWS
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Fiona Ahmed Ahimie Launches LEADHER Mentorship Session to Inspire the Next Generation of Female leaders
Lagos, Nigeria – June 2026 – As part of activities leading up to her investiture as the 14th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the first female President in the Institute’s history, Dr. Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, Managing Director of First Securities Brokers Limited, hosted the inaugural LeadHER Mentorship Session on Thursday, June 18, 2026.The session, themed “Leading with Purpose, Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy,” brought together emerging female professionals and aspiring leaders from across various industries for an engaging afternoon of mentorship, learning, and empowerment.The LeadHER Mentorship Session was designed to provide participants with practical insights into leadership, career advancement, personal development, and navigating challenges in the traditionally male-dominated sectors. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, attendees gained valuable perspectives on building successful careers while creating lasting impact within their organizations and communities.Speaking at the event, Dr. Ahimie noted that leadership is not merely about achieving personal success but about creating pathways for others to thrive.”Throughout my professional journey, I have benefited from the guidance, support, and encouragement of remarkable mentors. The LeadHER Mentorship Session is an opportunity to pay that forward by equipping and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue excellence, embrace leadership opportunities, and break barriers with confidence,” she said.The mentorship session forms part of a broader commitment to advancing female participation and leadership within Nigeria’s financial services industry and the wider corporate ecosystem. It also reflects Dr. Ahimie’s longstanding dedication to talent development, professional excellence, and inclusive leadership.The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing.Dr. Ahimie’s investiture as President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers marks a historic milestone for the Institute and the Nigerian capital market, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping the future of the financial services industry.
NEWS
Insecurity: Governor Dauda Lawal Commends Troops for Recovering Ammunitions, Rustled Cattle
Zamfara State Executive Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has commended the troops for their efforts and commitment to the fight against banditry in the state.On Saturday, the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Zamfara Police Command successfully recovered 329 cattle and 175 sheep from bandits in the Gambanda forest in Gummi Local Government.Governor Lawal, while appreciating the troops, described the Zamfara State Police’s renewed efforts as encouraging and promising in the fight against banditry.He said, “I commend the effort of all the security operatives in Zamfara State, especially the Zamfara State Police Command, for its resilience, bravery and commitment in recovering 329 cattle, 175 sheep, weapons and ammunition from bandits.”The police engaged and overpowered the bandits in Gambanda forest in Gummi local government area, which led to the recovery.”This commendable action reflects their tireless work in the face of challenges posed by criminal elements and underscores the police’s role in protecting the livelihoods of the people of Zamfara State.”The remarkable display of bravery and the successful recovery of livestock and weapons highlight the strong leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Bello. His guidance has been instrumental in improving public safety and combating banditry.”My administration remains committed to providing support to all security agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security for our people.”
NEWS
Governor Dauda Lawal Approves Payment of Allowance to NYSC Members Serving in Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government is pleased to announce that His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, has approved the payment of allowances/stipends to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state. The approval reflects the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of corps members who are contributing to the development of various sectors across Zamfara State.
The approval covers corps members from Batch A Stream I and II up to Batch C Stream I and II. Through this gesture, the government recognizes and appreciates the patriotism, dedication, and selfless service being rendered by the young graduates in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other areas critical to the growth and progress of the state.
Governor Dauda Lawal has directed the Office of the Accountant General to put in place all necessary arrangements to facilitate the implementation of the approval. The government is committed to ensuring that the process is carried out smoothly and in accordance with established procedures.
The Zamfara State Government remains grateful to the NYSC members for choosing to serve in the state and for their invaluable contributions to community development.
The administration will continue to prioritize initiatives aimed at supporting corps members and creating an enabling environment that will allow them to discharge their national responsibilities effectively.
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