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FG, EU Unveil $220m Youth Employment Initiative

Published

1 month ago

October 22, 2025

The Federal Government has unveiled a $220 million employment initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment and expanding job opportunities for young Nigerians.

The programme, known as the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0, seeks to empower graduates through structured work placements, skills development, and mentorship.

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the launch on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He noted that the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme, as part of a broader strategy to equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive in today’s workforce.

According to him, the programme is designed to connect high-potential graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the job market.

Shettima described the initiative as a strategic step towards addressing the unemployment crisis among Nigerian youths, stressing that the government is committed to empowering a generation capable of driving innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth.

“Our goal is to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young Nigerians, graduates who have the education, but not always the opportunity,” the Vice President stated.

He added that the NJFP 2.0 builds on the success of the first phase, which provided paid work placements and mentorship opportunities for several young professionals across public and private sectors.

“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme represents hope, hope that no young person will be left behind because of a lack of opportunity,” Shettima said.

“It is our pledge to build a nation where talent meets purpose, and where learning translates into livelihood,” he added.

The Vice President commended the EU and UNDP for their continued partnership in advancing youth empowerment and national development, adding that the collaboration reflects a shared vision of creating inclusive economic opportunities for Africa’s largest youth population.

Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the Federal Government’s success in youth empowerment.

He noted that since the programme began in 2021, it has helped over 13,000 youths to gain skills.

The minister assured that the initiative will build on its progress and achieve its long-term goal of placing 100,000 youths in jobs within five years.

The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, said the generous funding from the EU and implementation support from the UNDP, over the years, are aimed at connecting potential to opportunity.

She noted that the vision behind the NJFP has come to light, resulting in over 40,000 Nigerians being placed in various economic sectors.

She stressed that millions of Nigerians need the NJFP platform to thrive in today’s economy.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, said the EU was looking forward to seeing the NJFP 2.0 programme integrated into Nigeria’s governance agenda to ensure its sustainability

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IYC Expresses Displeasure Over Okpebholo’s Neglect Of Edo Ijaw

Published

57 seconds ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, have expressed displeasure over what they described as the “persistent marginalisation of the Ijaw political class, traditional institutions and the ongoing abandonment of Ijaw communities,” by the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led Edo State government.

The IYC, in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Nicholas Igrama, Barr. Ebi Olowolayemo and Comrade Tare Magbei, Western Zone Chairman, Secretary and Information Officer respectively, lamented that despite the “massive support Ijaw people gave to Okpebholo across the five Ijaw clans in the state,” not a single appointment has been given to the Ijaw speaking people in the state.

The statement which was made available to newsmen in Benin on Tuesday, said that the “conspicuously absent of Ijaw man or woman in the State Executive Council,” gives credence to their claim.

The IYC, while stating that “we state this not out of bitterness or entitlement, but as a call for fairness, equity, and justice,” emphasized that “despite our enormous contributions to the state’s treasury through natural and human resources, Edo Ijaws remain conspicuously absent in the State Executive Council.”

The statement reads: “It is important to remind the Governor that the Ijaw nation mobilised massive support across the five Ijaw clans in Edo State to ensure his victory at the polls.

“Our voice was loud, our mobilisation was firm, and our votes counted significantly toward the success of this administration.

“Regrettably, one year after, this government has not deemed it necessary to appoint a single individual from the Ijaw extraction, nor has it addressed the glaring infrastructure deficit in our communities and also left our traditional issues unattented to.”

The statement noted that “the Ijaw areas are the bedrock of the state’s oil wealth, the same wealth that qualifies Edo State as an oil-producing state and entitles it to the 13% derivation fund. Yet, there is no visible reflection of this revenue in our communities.”

“We state this not out of bitterness or entitlement, but as a call for fairness, equity, and justice.”

The IYC, therefore, urged the governor to “have a rethink so it doesn’t take to another form of agitation in the state where we contribute.”

News

EPL: Arteta Gives Update On Havertz, Saliba, Gabriel, Others

Published

2 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has provided the latest update on four of his players ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Brentford on Wednesday.

The four players are Kai Havertz, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Leandro Trossard.

Arteta’s side will host Brentford in a Premier League tie at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Arsenal head to the game following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in their last game over the weekend.

“Kai Havertz is still weeks away,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday.

“We are all desperate to have him. I mean, it is a player that, personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team – his character, his personality. I see him suffer, being outside.

“Gabriel Magalhães is doing very well, but it will take weeks to see him back.

“For William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, hopefully it’s a matter of days.

“For Saliba, this one is very bizarre injury… but hopefully it will be a short time out.”

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

4 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.