Nigerian Youth Parliament has called for the expansion of age in job requirements by public and private sectors in a bid to end unemployment in Nigeria.

This call was made by the member representing Bauchi State, Hon. (Engr) Imrana Garba while presenting a motion titled “The Need for the Expansion of Age limit as one of the requirements for Job recruitment in Nigeria” at the first sitting of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.

The sitting was held at the Kano State House of Assembly Complex, Audu Bako Secretariat.

Hon. Garba pointed out that different administrations has instituted programs to reduce unemployment but none has solved the menace among the youths.

He said that many administrations both military and democratic have come up with different programs aim at reducing the rate of unemployment such as National Poverty Eradication Program (NAPEP), Subsidy Re-investment Program ( SURE-P), Social Investment program couple with the effort of National Directorate of Employment ( NDE ) among others but yet the scourge of unemployment is still ravaging the young population

Garba added that unemployment cut across all set of youths in the country both educated and non-educated in urban and rural areas.

He highlighted that if age limit is expanded, it will give room for people with slow education to get employed without age barrier.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Esther O. Sharon representing Enugu West Senatorial District.

In his contribution, the co-sponsor of the motion Hon. Ugonna Okafor representing Imo West Senatorial District expressed concerned over how age limit has denied some vast graduates the chance to get employment in both public and private organizations.

The motion was deliberated at the floor of the house in which Hon. Comfort Olafare, Hon Claude Orike Ndubisi, Hon. Saliu Shinawu, Hon. Prince Olufemi, Hon. Nita Biyack George, Hon. Daniju Sultan among others contributed.

In a related development, member representing Osun East Senatorial District, simply known as Hon.Costly also presented a motion on ”The Need for Intentional Investment in Youth Capital Development to Harness the Democraphic Dividend”.
She urges the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to ensure that youth survivors of war and conflicts as well as young people living in IDPs camps are well captured in Digital Skills Entrepreneurship Empowerment and Leadership ( DEEL) program.

Aderigbe also called on the NYP members as the Youths Legislative Body to be at the fore front of advocacy and implementation of Nigeria’s demographic dividend road map.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Engr. Imrana Garba member representing Bauchi Central.

Also at the plenary, the North East Caucus Chairman and Member representing Bauchi North, Hon. Kamal Jibrin Jama’ar raised a motion titled “Youth Unemployment and Restiveness in the North East: The Need for North East Development Commission (NEDC) to engage the Young Generation in Resolving the Menace”.

He said the North East Development Commission (NEDC) was established in 2017, with the assent of the Bill on October 25th, 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari; and the commission charged with the “responsibility to, among other things, receive and manage funds from allocation of the Federal Account International donors for the Settlement, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Roads, Houses and business premises of victims of insurgency as well as tackling menace of poverty, illiteracy level, ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges” in the North-East State which consists of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.

In the motion co-sponsored by the members of North East, NEDC is expected to engage the teeming youth in skills acquisitions and vocational training to improve their standard of living through the establishment of Youth Development Centers in all States of the region.

Hon. Jibrin therefore called on the commission as a matter of urgency, rehabilitate schools affected by insurgency and establish new ones.
Jibrin also urges NEDC to establish Guidance and Counseling/Rehabilitation Centers in all the States of the region for deradicalization of victims and repentant insurgents.

Contributing to the motion, Hon. Shettima Umar representing Borno North, expressed concern over the level of out of school children in the region, stressing for conserted effort towards ameliorating the problems.
Hon. Shettima also advocated the need for NEDC to create an office in Maiduguri, the headquarter of Borno State in order to have first hand information on the plight of the people of the area.

Sen. Umaru Al-Makura (APC-Nasarawa South), on Saturday empowered 100 vulnerable members of his constituency with grinding machines and power generating sets.

Distributing the items to the beneficiaries in Lafia, Al-Makura said it was aimed at improving their economic well-being.

He added that the items were part of his zonal intervention for his constituents, especially the most vulnerable.

Al-Makura maintained that the best form of empowerment was not doling out cash and food to people but providing them with items that would enable them make a living.

According to him, the grinding mills will go a long way to boost the economy of households of the women beneficiaries.

Al-Makura explained that he would roll-out various empowerment programmes with direct bearing on indigent members in his senatorial district to tackle poverty and restiveness.

“I have set up machinery to identify other priority needs of the people in my senatorial district with the view of addressing them.

“I assured my people that I will impact on their lives as much as a senator like I did during my tenure as a governor,” Al-Makura said.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Isa Mahanga from Awe Local Government Area, said that the donation was a justification of their mandate to the senator.

He therefore assured the senator that they would use the items for the purpose they were meant to serve.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were drawn from Doma, Lafia, Awe, Keana and Obi Local Government Areas that make-up the senatorial zone. (NAN)

Public Servants in Lagos State began the New Year with a commitment by the State Government to pay a 3-month arrears of the new minimum wage, the implementation of which took off in November 2019.

Speaking today at the 2020 Annual First Working Day Thanksgiving for Public Servants in the State, the Deputy Governor stated that the gesture was in recognition of the significant contributions and commitment of the public service to the realization of the goals and aspirations of the Sanwo-Olu Administration.

According to him, “We do this because we know this is the best public service in the country. The skill is there and the capability to deliver.”

While promising that the state government is committed to the completion of some major projects like the Blue Line Rail, Red Line and the Bus Rapid Transit; which will have a multiplier effects on wellbeing of the citizens, the deputy governor solicited the continued support and cooperation of the public servants to deliver on the projects.

He emphasized that in line with the present administration’s commitment to better the lots of Lagosians, the state government has increased budgetary provisions to Works and Infrastructure, Health and Education adding that if Lagos gets everything right, Nigeria will get it right.

Noting the importance and strategic position of Lagos and Nigeria in the socio-economic and political development in Africa, the deputy governor urged public servants to do the right thing, work hard and pray.

Saying, “If Lagos don’t do well, Nigeria will not do well and if Lagos do well, Nigeria will do. We are the key to the success of Nigeria and Nigeria is the faith of the Black race. So, we must be upright, do the right thing; obey traffic rules and other regulations”

In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola disclosed that in consonance with the new Minimum Wage Act, the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved the payment of additional three months’ salary arrears to state public servants.

He stated that the acknowledgement of the pivotal role of the public servants in the implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S was responsible for the payment of the 3 months arrears.

The Head of Service declared that the state government had prioritized the continuous and sustained training based on robust learning and development policy, budgetary provision and staff welfare oriented policies.

He urged workers to also improve the quality of service delivery and uphold the long-standing traditions of the public service namely the ethics and ethos of discipline, honesty, integrity and transparency.

According to the Head of Service, “In moving ahead towards successfully taking Lagos State closer to our shared vision of a cleaner, smarter and more habitable city through the highest standards of quality service delivery, it is imperative that we all recognize the critical importance of updating our knowledge, skills and competences.”

In their exhortations, the Islamic and Christian clerics charged public servants to do something good in the New Year and be more dedicated to their duties.

Highlight of the event was the offering of prayers for the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the State Executive Council, and the State Public Service in general.

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AT NEW YEAR NIGERIA’S DECADE

My Dear Compatriots,

Today marks a new decade. It is a time of hope, optimism and fresh possibilities. We look forward as a nation to the 2020s as the opportunity to build on the foundations we have laid together on security, diversification of our economy and taking on the curse of corruption. These are the pledges on which I have been twice elected President and remain the framework for a stable, sustainable and more prosperous future.

Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. I salute the commitment of the millions who voted in peace last February and of those leaders who contested for office vigorously but fairly, submitting to the authority of the electorate, the Independent National Electoral Commission and judicial process. I understand very well the frustrations our system has in the past triggered. I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections. But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several ECOWAS members go to the polls this year.

As Commander-in-Chief, my primary concern is the security of the nation and the safety of our citizens. When I assumed office in May 2015 my first task was to rally our neighbours so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbour any of us hope for.

We have been fighting on several fronts: violent extremists, cultists and organised criminal networks. It has not been easy. But as we are winning the war, we also look to the challenge of winning the peace, the reconstruction of lives, communities and markets. The North East Development Commission will work with local and international stakeholders to help create a new beginning for the North East.

The Federal Government will continue to work with State Governors, neighbouring states and our international partners to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and the networks that help finance and organise terror. Our security forces will receive the best training and modern weaponry, and in turn will be held to the highest standards of professionalism, and respect for human rights. We will use all the human and emerging technological resources available to tackle kidnapping, banditry and armed robbery.

The new Ministry of Police Affairs increased recruitment of officers and the security reforms being introduced will build on what we are already delivering. We will work tirelessly at home and with our allies in support of our policies to protect the security of life and property. Our actions at all times will be governed by the rule of law. At the same time, we shall look always to engage with all well-meaning leaders and citizens of goodwill to promote dialogue, partnership and understanding.

We need a democratic government that can guarantee peace and security to realise the full potential of our ingenious, entrepreneurial and hard-working people. Our policies are designed to promote genuine, balanced growth that delivers jobs and rewards industry. Our new Economic Advisory Council brings together respected and independent thinkers to advise me on a strategy that champions inclusive and balanced growth, and above all fight poverty and safeguard national economic interests.

As we have sat down to celebrate with friends and family over this holiday season, for the first time in a generation our food plates have not all been filled with imports of products we know can easily be produced here at home. The revolution in agriculture is already a reality in all corners of the country. New agreements with Morocco, Russia and others will help us access on attractive terms the inputs we need to accelerate the transformation in farming that is taking place.

A good example of commitment to this inclusive growth is the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the creation of the National Action Committee to oversee its implementation and ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to allow us to fully capitalise on regional and continental markets.

The joint land border security exercise currently taking place is meant to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and security. No one can doubt that we have been good neighbours and good citizens. We have been the helpers and shock-absorbers of the sub-region but we cannot allow our well-planned economic regeneration plans to be sabotaged. As soon as we are satisfied that the safeguards are adequate, normal cross-border movements will be resumed.

Already, we are making key infrastructure investments to enhance our ease of doing business. On transportation, we are making significant progress on key roads such as the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja – Kano highway. 2020 will also see tangible progress on the Lagos to Kano Rail line. Through Executive Order 007, we are also using alternative funding programmes in collaboration with private sector partners to fix strategic roads such as the Apapa-Oworonshoki Express way. Abuja and Port Harcourt have new international airport terminals, as will Kano and Lagos in 2020. When completed, all these projects will positively impact business operations in the country. These projects are not small and do not come without some temporary disruption; we are doing now what should have been done a long time ago. I thank you for your patience and look forward to the dividends that we and future generations will long enjoy.

Power has been a problem for a generation. We know we need to pick up the pace of progress. We have solutions to help separate parts of the value chain to work better together. In the past few months, we have engaged extensively with stakeholders to develop a series of comprehensive solutions to improve the reliability and availability of electricity across the country. These solutions include ensuring fiscal sustainability for the sector, increasing both government and private sector investments in the power transmission and distribution segments, improving payment transparency through the deployment of smart meters and ensuring regulatory actions maximise service delivery.

We have in place a new deal with Siemens, supported by the German government after German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited us in Abuja, to invest in new capacity for generation, transmission and distribution. These projects will be under close scrutiny and transparency – there will be no more extravagant claims that end only in waste, theft and mismanagement.

The next 12 months will witness the gradual implementation of these actions, after which Nigerians can expect to see significant improvement in electricity service supply reliability and delivery. Separately, we have plans to increase domestic gas consumption. In the first quarter of 2020, we will commence work on the AKK gas pipeline, OB3 Gas pipeline and the expansion of the Escravos – Lagos Pipeline.

While we look to create new opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and other long neglected sectors, in 2020 we will also realise increased value from oil and gas, delivering a more competitive, attractive and profitable industry, operating on commercial principles and free from political interference. Just last week, we were able to approve a fair framework for the USD10 billion expansion of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, which will increase exports by 35 percent, restore our position as a world leader in the sector and create thousands of jobs. The Amendment of the Deep Offshore Act in October signalled our intention to create a modern, forward-looking industry in Nigeria. I am confident that in 2020 we will be able to present a radical programme of reform for oil and gas that will excite investors, improve governance and strengthen protections for host communities and the environment.

We can expect the pace of change in technology only to accelerate in the decade ahead. Coupled with our young and vibrant population, this offers huge opportunities if we are able to harness the most productive trends and tame some of the wilder elements. This is a delicate balance with which many countries are struggling. We are seeking an informed and mature debate that reflects our rights and responsibilities as citizens in shaping the boundaries of how best to allow technology to benefit Nigeria.

During my Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2019, I promised to lay the enduring foundations for taking a hundred million Nigerians out of mass poverty over the next 10 years. Today I restate that commitment. We shall continue reforms in education, health care and water sanitation. I have met international partners such as GAVI, the vaccine alliance, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation who support our social welfare programmes. I will continue to work with State and Local Governments to make sure that these partnerships deliver as they should. Workers will have a living wage and pensioners will be looked after. We are steadily clearing pensions and benefits arrears neglected for so long.

The new Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will consolidate and build on the social intervention schemes and will enhance the checks and balances necessary for this set of programmes to succeed for the long term.

I am able to report that the journey has already begun with the passage and signing into law of the 2020 Appropriation Act. As the new decade dawns, we are ready to hit the ground running. Let me pay tribute to the Ninth National Assembly who worked uncommonly long hours to make sure that the 2020 budget scrutiny is both thorough and timely. The close harmony between the Executive and Legislature is a sharp contrast to what we have experienced in the recent past, when the Senate kept the previous budget for 7 months without good reason just to score cheap political points thereby disrupting the budgetary processes and overall economic development plans.

Our policies are working and the results will continue to show themselves more clearly by the day. Nigeria is the most tremendous, can-do market, offering extraordinary opportunities and returns. Investors can look forward with confidence not only to an increasing momentum of change but also to specific incentives, including our new visa-on-arrival policy.

They can also be certain of our unshakeable commitment to tackle corruption. As we create an environment that allows initiative, enterprise and hard work to thrive, it is more important than ever to call out those who find the rule of law an inconvenience, or independent regulation an irritation. We are doing our part here in Nigeria. We will continue to press our partners abroad to help with the supply side of corruption and have received some encouragement. We expect more funds stolen in the past to be returned to us and they will be ploughed back into development with all due transparency.

This is a joint initiative. Where our policies have worked best, it has been because of the support of ordinary Nigerians in their millions, numbers that even the most powerful of special interests cannot defy. I thank you for your support. Transition by its very nature carries with it change and some uncertainty along the way. I encourage you to be tolerant, law abiding and peace loving. This is a new year and the beginning of a new decade – the Nigerian Decade of prosperity and promise for Nigeria and for Africa.

To recapitulate, some of the projects Nigerians should expect to come upstream from 2020 include:

47 road projects scheduled for completion in 2020/21, including roads leading to ports;

Major bridges including substantial work on the Second Niger Bridge;

Completion of 13 housing estates under the National Housing Project Plan;

Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and Enugu international airports to be commissioned in 2020;

Launching of an agricultural rural mechanisation scheme that will cover 700 local governments over a period of three years;

Launching of the Livestock Development Project Grazing Model in Gombe State where 200,000 hectares of land has been identified;

Training of 50,000 workers to complement the country’s 7,000 extension workers;

Commissioning of the Lagos – Ibadan and Itakpe – Warri rail lines in the first quarter;

Commencement of the Ibadan – Abuja and Kano – Kaduna rail lines also in the first quarter;

Further liberalisation of the power sector to allow businesses to generate and sell power;

Commencement of the construction of the Mambilla Power project by the first half of 2020; and

Commencement of the construction of the AKK gas pipeline, OB3 gas pipeline and the expansion of the Escravos – Lagos pipeline in the first quarter of 2020.

Thank you very much!

President Muhammadu Buhari,

State House, Abuja.

January 1, 2020