The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Abbas Tajudeen has stressed the need for Nigeria to invest more in its young citizens, especially as they constitute a huge chunk of the population.

Speaker Abbas, in his message to commemorate the International Youth Day, noted that with the youthful population being the majority, the government at all levels must prioritise policies and programmes tailored towards young Nigerians.

The Speaker called for more access to quality and affordable education, while seeking skill acquisition and empowerment of the youth. This, he noted, should be considered as an investment in the future of the country.

He particularly urged the various stakeholders in the public and private sectors to invest more in talent hunts, entrepreneurship, and sports, stressing that this move will shield the youth from crime and other vices.

While urging the youth to be patriotic and law-abiding citizens, the Speaker called on the religious and cultural institutions to continue to mould young Nigerians towards virtues, and against vices.

He emphasised the need for the teeming young population to be morally upright, hardworking, disciplined, and dedicated in their endeavours.

Speaker Abbas wishes young Nigerians a happy Youth Day celebration.

Confidence Okwuchi

The newly deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Kwara State, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpe has paid a courtesy visit to the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The visit, which took place at the Commission’s office in GRA, Ilorin, was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration between the two agencies in the discharge of their statutory mandates.

Welcoming the REC, the Ilorin Zonal Director of the EFCC, Daniel Isei, commended INEC for its pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process.

He reaffirmed the EFCC’s readiness to support the electoral body in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections in Kwara State.

He noted that the fight against corruption includes curbing electoral malpractices such as vote buying, bribery, and other forms of financial inducement that undermine the integrity of the polls.

Earlier, Dr. Longpet said that the visit was part of his familiarisation tour to key stakeholders in the state and a demonstration of INEC’s commitment to partnering with anti-graft agencies in the quest to deepen democracy.

He stressed that credible elections require the joint effort of all stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability before, during, and after the electoral process.

While outlining his vision for electoral administration in the state, Dr. Longpet emphasised the need for citizens to actively participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

He disclosed that about 166,800 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in Kwara as at today.

“I want to boost the voting strength of Kwara, but I cannot do that without people coming out to participate in voter registration,” he said, urging residents to collect their PVCs and register to vote in future elections.

Areas of Collaboration

Both agencies identified key areas of collaboration, including intelligence sharing on electoral offences, joint sensitisation campaigns to educate the public against vote trading, and the prompt prosecution of electoral offenders.

The REC expressed optimism that with the EFCC’s support, incidences of financial inducement during elections could be drastically reduced, thereby enhancing public confidence in the process.

The meeting ended on a note of mutual commitment, with both parties pledging to work closely in the interest of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.

Confidence Okwuchi

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Jackie Waayas has described the Nigerian Youth as Architects of the Future.

Celebrating the 2025 International Youth Day, which is on August 12, she applauded the boundless potential, creativity, and courage of the Nigerian youth.

Ms Wayaas described the Youth as the heartbeat of the nation, the thinkers, builders, and visionaries whose dreams would shape the destiny of the country.

“Patriotism is more than a feeling; it is an action. It is the decision to rise each day determined to make Nigeria better than it was yesterday. True patriotism is expressed in service, in responsibility, in standing for justice, in choosing unity over division, and in committing to the hard work of nation-building.

 “The Nigeria of our dreams will not be handed to us — we must build it. And that responsibility rests on every one of us, especially the youth. We must take an active interest in the leadership of our nation, participate in politics, engage in meaningful dialogue, and hold leaders accountable. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Your leadership matters,” she said.

Ms Wayaas said when Youths embrace patriotism as a way of life, they can over come the challenges ahead.

She also urged Nigerians, to support the young people, guide them, mentor them, and open doors for their ideas to flourish.

“Together, let us transform our love for Nigeria into action that will build the nation we all dream of,” she added.

Confidence Okwuchi!

A governorship aspirant under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state, Mr Kunle Adegoke (SAN), has promised to transform the state if elected as Governor.

Adegoke was speaking at the APC Party Secretariat in Osogbo while declaring his intention to join the 2026 governorship race in the state.

He noted that the challenges of Osun state were many, and only a responsive, proactive, well meaning and pragmatic leader could make all the difference for the state.

The aspirant explained that his declaration of intent was not a fluke but a product of years of planning and deep research, aimed at understanding the problems of the state and ways to solve them.

“So I have perfected plans to ensure that the economy of Osun is completely re-engineered and overhauled. And to this extent, we are looking at things that we have, not only in terms of natural resources, we are equally looking at human resources. 

“And we have done a lot of work. We have done a lot of preparation since 2011 when I first came upon the idea that I would like to be governor one day in Osun State. 

“I have been working seriously to ensure that what we call land management, what we call Agric revolution will be brought to bear in Osun State. 

“And we are going to reinvent our financial policies that it will become possible for the state to survive with or without allocations from the federal government.”  he said.

Action Plan

Adegoke also stated that his action plan would be strategic in purpose, based on four core pillars of economic revival, transformation of education and healthcare, infrastructural development and enhanced security.

According to him, the economy of the state would be revived through revolution in agriculture, industrialisation, mining and tourism, while education and healthcare would be modernized in a safe and secured environment attractive to investors.

He said nothing would be impossible to achieve in such a state as Osun, where people are diligent, resilient and positive about life.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria then called on all citizens and residents of the state to join hands with him to build a better Osun state, where good governance and followership make the most for all and sundry.

Confidence Okwuchi