Connect with us

News

Lagos Govt Endorses Silec Initiatives’ U.S. Leadership Exchange Programme, Others

Published

on

As part of our efforts to build a society of resourceful and vibrant youths whose potentials will drive the Greater Lagos Vision, the Lagos state government has reinstated its commitment to develop youth capacity for leadership positions for a Greater Lagos under the Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu led administration, as the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, under the able and youth-friendly leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Ganiyu Dawodu, who has thrown his weight behind the Silec Initiatives United States of America WorldChicago Leadership Exchange Programme to further create global opportunity for the state’s youths to gain the 21st century leadership skills from the signed partnership of Silec Initiatives and worldChicago in Illiois, Chicago, USA in collaboration with the ministry of youth and social development to fully active the leadership qualities of our youths.

One of Nigeria’s brightest, pragmatic, vision-driven youth, Anti-Drug Abuse Advocate and the founder of Silec Initiatives, Amb. Sunny Irakpo, a U. S. Government Sponsored Exchange Alumni of the International Visitor’s Leadership Exchange Programme (IVLP), Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs who was invited by the U.S. government to participate in the prestigious leadership exchange programme in 2019 was recently received by the Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Social Development at his State Secretariat office in Alausa to cross fertilized ideas on how to develop and build capacity of the youths of the state to become great leaders in their time.

The Hon. Commissioner, Mr Segun Dawodu, who was very delighted to receive the youth advocate said the state government sincerely appreciates all the efforts of Silec Initiaves on nation building, especially in Lagos where the head of the anti-drug organisation has shown serious commitment over these years as one of Non Profit organization with tremendous impacts and fighting for the course of our youths to shun social vices and make their valuable contributions to the development of Lagos state.

The commissioner went further to say that he’s very confident that with youths like the Silec boss, if supported just as he is doing now, the future of Lagos state and Nigeria will be greater and brighter. Ambassador Irakpo, while appreciating the Commissioner for the invitation and confidence reposed in him, lamented on the heightened state of drugs and substance abuse in the state including young girls in secondary schools who have massively join the train of the illicit act and that the curve of the menace can only be flattened, if all stakeholders come together to fight for this just cause. The ambassador was so filled with zeal and passion and he asserted that Lagos state carries a huge burden on its shoulders being the most populated state in the country as a metropolitan and busiest city in west Africa ,Hence all hands must be on deck to rescue the youths from the dungeon and carnage of drugs and substance abuse. He went further to address the rising spate of the number of mentally challenged people on the streets of Lagos, some of which are caused by drugs and substance abuse. The ambassador pleaded for caution and vibrant leadership in order to curtail the rate at which people are becoming mentally derailed and incapacitated. He said the Greater Lagos that we all envisioned can only be attained under this administration when the youths who are leaders of tomorrow are carried along with sane and intelligent minds in order not to damage further the proposed mega city we earnest await.

The ambassador went further to commend the Governor for his laudable programmes in the actualization of his THEME Agenda ,and the Honourable Commissioner for all the good initiatives and brilliant programmes to help the youths find a better path of life. The Silec boss went further to say; “Sir, I have followed your work and programmes and how you keep advocating for youth inclusiveness in governance. This is a crucial factor and potent line of action that a distinguished personality like your humble self is always exhibiting at the public space of which we are grateful to you for seeing the youth population as a formidable force and instrumentality for national development.

Hence, we cannot take you for granted for standing very tall for our youths to see a better side of life”. The ambassador concluded by sharing his experience in the United States, by thanking the U.S. government through the (U.S embassy Lagos Consulate) for the opportunity once again and presented the programmes including the Citizenship Leadership Exchange Programme Silec Initiatives signed with WorldChicago in Chicago, USA, for five(5) years to help build our youths for all round leadership and exposure to global platform where they can share ideas, connect and compete with their U.S. counterparts. He highlighted how the program will support very strongly the Lagos state leadership drive for young people under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu’s administration and his working team, and help to promote Lagos State at the international level.

In the words of the Honourable Commissioner; “All your programmes such as the Greater Lagos Beyond Drug Abuse and Addiction Sensitization, the U.S Exchange Programme and Youth empowerment are fantastic and okay by me and we will work it out so that our youths can benefit to further create international opportunity and it will be basically set as a Reward System targeted towards only hard working youths in the state, which will also serve as a spring board to launch them to greater heights as part of the vision of the Lagos state government of the IBILE YOUTH ACADEMY LEADERSHIP TRAINING which kick-started in 2019 at Onikan Stadium with full youths participation, where many are already spotlighted under this government . I want to encourage all our youths to be hard working and only the hardworking and distinguished youths with proven integrity will be selected by the Lagos State government under the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to participate in this International Programme’’.

Watch below:

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Wike-led PDP Faction Expels Makinde, Mohammed, Lawal, Others

Published

on

By

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-controlled faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced the expulsion of the governors of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, and Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.

The development, which came Tuesday afternoon during the faction’s Board of Trustee meeti is seem as a retaliation to last week’s expulsion of the former Rivers governor and others

The factions had earlier in the day, engaged each other in a fight to gain possession of Wadata Plaza headquarters of the party.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that ratified the expulsion of the governors of Oyo, Bauchi and Zamfara States, Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, who was elected Chairman at the Ibadan Convention, Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, Chief Bode George and others, accused them of anti Party activities.

The NEC also ratified the dissolution of State Executive Council of Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti States.

These decisions were taken at the 103 NEC meeting of the party held in the party national secretariat in Abuja today.

Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, who presented the memo for the expulsion, said it was as result of the affected party members’ disregard for court judgements, an action he said put the party in disrepute.

The NEC meeting’s Communique was read by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was earlier expelled at the Ibadan convention.

It reads; “The National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 18 November 2025 to address recent developments affecting the unity, stability, and constitutional order of our Party. At a time when Nigerians look to the PDP for leadership, NEC convened to uphold truth, justice, discipline, and respect for the rule of law.

“NEC expressed deep concern over the actions of some members who violated subsisting court orders by organizing and attending a purported and unauthorized convention. This act triggered confusion, factionalisation, and the defection of governors and legislators nationwide.

“NEC reaffirmed that the PDP draws its legitimacy from strict adherence to its Constitution and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not from impunity.

“NEC received the report of the Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, detailing breaches of Articles 58(1) and 59(1), including anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the Party into disrepute.

“NEC approved the commencement of disciplinary procedures against the following; Adolphus Wabara, Olabode George, Ben N. Obi, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Bala Mohammed, Oluseyi Makinde, Dauda Lawal, Taofiq Arapaja, Setonji Koshoedo, Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Woyengikuro Daniel, Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, Emmanuel Ogidi, Sumaila Adamu Burga, Umar Sani, Udom Emmanuel and Emmanuel Enorden.

“NEC further resolved that Chief Ali Odefa must refund all salaries and allowances collected after his expulsion on 12 December 2024. These actions are taken to preserve order and discipline within the Party.

“NEC ratified the dissolution of State Excos in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos and Ekiti. The NWC is directed to constitute caretaker committees and begin fresh congresses immediately while the Edo State Exco led by Barr. Nosa Ogieva has been approved.

“NEC directed Deputies in all National Working Committee positions now vacant owing to expulsion to assume the substantive positions in acting capacity and function as NWC members.

“NEC also formally ratified the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

“NEC directed the legal team and NWC to commence immediate constitutional action to recover seats of all elected officials who defected from the PDP, in line with Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“NEC approved a Party-wide reconciliation initiative to heal divisions and rebuild trust, while ensuring that reconciliation does not undermine discipline. A nationwide membership audit and revalidation will begin ahead of the 2027 elections.

“NEC acknowledged the anxieties among members but assures the Party faithful that these decisions are aimed at stabilising and strengthening the PDP.

“The NEC affirms that the era of indiscipline is over. The PDP will not bow to lawlessness or personal ambition.

“With unity, discipline, and renewed purpose, the PDP will rebuild stronger and restore public confidence ahead of the next electoral cycle.”

Earlier in their opening remarks, the BoT Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman urged the party members to remain steadfast, expressing confidence that the PDP will surmount its problems.

Source: oyoinsights

Continue Reading

News

Wike, Seyi Makinde Factions Clash at PDP Headquarters

Published

on

By

A dramatic confrontation erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday as Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the governors of Oyo and Bauchi states, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, clashed in a fierce struggle for control of the party’s headquarters.

Mary Chinda, reporting for ARISE News, said that security operatives loyal to both camps engaged in a free for all over who would take possession of the secretariat, with heavy teargas fired around the Wuse Zone Five premises as tensions boiled over.

Governor Makinde arrived at the venue with the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, while Wike remained firmly positioned inside the building with Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary who maintains that his tenure remains valid until December 8, 2025.

The intense standoff deepened concerns within the party, with several PDP leaders accusing the Police of failing to demonstrate neutrality in the escalating leadership crisis.

Source: Arise News

Continue Reading

News

Police Confirm Abduction of Secondary School Girls in Kebbi

Published

on

By

Tension has engulfed the Maga community in Kebbi State after terrorists launched a deadly pre-dawn attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, reportedly abducting 25 students and killing a staff member.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, the armed attackers, wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded the school at about 4:00 am and opened fire as they forced their way in.

“The police tactical units deployed in the school engaged them in a gun duel,” the PPRO said. “Unfortunately, the suspected bandits had already scaled through the fence of the school and abducted twenty-five students from their hostel to an unknown destination.”

He confirmed that one staff member, Hassan Makuku, was shot dead, while another, Ali Shehu, sustained a gunshot injury to his hand.

Following the attack, Abubakar said the command swiftly deployed additional police tactical squads alongside military personnel and local vigilantes to track the movement of the terrorists and rescue the abducted girls.

“They are currently combing the bandits’ routes and nearby forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students and possibly arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” he said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

“The Commissioner reiterates the Command’s unwavering determination to safeguard the people of Kebbi State,” Abubakar stated. “He appeals to the public to remain calm, vigilant, and continue supporting police operations to maintain peace and stability.

Also confirming the incident, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the state government was closely monitoring developments.

“The exact number of abducted students is still being verified,” Idris told our correspondent.

“The deputy governor, Senator Umar Tafida, has been dispatched to the school to assess the situation on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, who is currently out of the state.”

He assured residents that the government was working hand-in-hand with security agencies to secure the safe return of the students and restore normalcy to the community.

Parents and residents of Maga remain in anguish as they await further updates on the fate of the abducted girls.

In June 2021, bandits abducted some students of Federal Government Girls College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.

The Punch

Continue Reading

Go back

Your message has been sent

Warning
Warning
Warning
Warning

Trending