Metro
HYPPADEC holds stakeholders forum on strategic medium term plan

By Abubakar Hassan
The Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has held a stakeholders forum on strategic medium term plan of the commission, covering five years period (2022-2027).
Addressing the participants, the Governor of Niger State, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello expressed happiness that the commission had continue to strategically pursue its mandate since its official take off by impacting positively on communities affected by the activities of the Hydro Electric Dams.
The governor indicated Niger State being the host had unrelentingly enjoyed harmonious relationship with the commission.
He observed that the stakeholders forum will help to link the policy of the commission with its planning and required budgets for ease of implementation.
Bello added that he was convinced that the medium term strategy will help set out specific inputs and activities to deliver specific outputs in the medium term.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Ketso at the occasion held at Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, called on the management of the commission to put the beneficiaries of their planned projects and programmes in focus, saying people of the HYPPADEC states need to be taken along in all the planning stages in order for the commission to have smooth implementation.
He further stated that it was heart-warming that the Federal government of Nigeria through HYPPADEC was supporting communities proned to perennial disaster on the corridors of the electricity generating dams.
The governor added that the commitment of the commission to expand its support to cover education, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, water resources, entrepreneur and environment was a welcome development which will support HYPPADEC state governments to effectively provide basic necessities of life for their people
He also stated that the event of the day was very significant to the critical stakeholders inthe sense that the commission is one of the newest in the country and was already making the desired impact in the HYPPADEC states.
He urged the participants to make useful contribution towards pursuing the core mandate of the commission and provide succour to the communities affected by the activities of the hydro electricity generating dams.
While commending the Federal government for demonstrating resilience in tackling the plight of the people living on the banks of River Niger, Kaduna and Benue, the Governor also congratulated HYPPADEC for what they have accomplished within a short period of its establishment.
He promised that Niger state government will continue to support all Federal government agencies and commissions in the state to achieve their mandate.
In his goodwill message at the event, member representing Chanchaga federal constituency at the national assembly and gubernatorial candidate of APC, Rt. Hon Umar Mohammed Bago observed that the commission was doing well stressing the need to appreciate the APC led government for making the commission a reality.
He said the state government will streamline some of its policies toward same direction with the HYPPADEC, adding that the state will collaborate with the commission to maximize its potentials, particularly in the area of agriculture.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alh. Sadiq Yelwa said the commission had achieved a lot in terms of providing support to the benefiting communities adding that it us committed to do more.
He disclosed that the commission will train 10 people from each local government in Health line and will also donate diagnostic centre and equipment to the HYPPADEC states.
He also disclosed that the commission had approved N200 million for the extension of drainages in Kontagora and its environs, adding that the governing council of the commission had also approved the management request to provide shelter for the people of Ketso community in Mokwa local government, ravaged by flooding.
Yelwa also expressed appreciation for the support the commission received from the host state, particularly the Governor and his Deputy, saying all that the commission had accomplished within the period of its existence would not have been possible without the support of the HYPPADEC state governments.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, HYPPADEC governing council, Hon. Barr. Joseph Terfa Ityav disclosed that the mandate of the commission was to formulate policies and programmes that will improve on the livelihood of the people in various HYPPADEC communities.
He disclosed that the occasion was to work on the medium term plan of the commission, saying they cannot produce a document and make it working document without the inputs of other critical stakeholders, hence the reason for the event of the day.
He added that they were enjoying their stay in Minna due to the warmth reception accorded them by Niger State government and appreciated the government for the gesture.
Metro
Youth coalition cebrates 8th anniverssary of UNSCR 2250

**Says, the youth can play positive role in sustainable peace
The Nigeria Coalition on Youth Peace and Security has marked the 8th Anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 2250) on Youth Peace and Security on the 9th December, 2023
In a statement that was jointly signed by the Co-Chairs of the Coalition namely Amina Dauran, Theophilus Ekpon and Maryam Ibrahim Sani indicated it comemorated the 8th anniverssary with the support from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development also the United Nations Population Fund.
According to the statement, the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (UNSCR2250) was passed after more than 10,000 young people called for it in the Amman Youth Declaration, adopted during the Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security in August 2015.
“The Resolution marked the birth of a Youth, Peace and Security agenda and was very much inspired by the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
“The UNSCR 2250 on Youth Peace and Security (YPS) was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 9th December, 2015 under the leadership of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and hence the anniversary of the UNSCR 2250 is commemorated on this day globally.”
According to the statement, the adoption of the UNSCR2250 marked the culmination of years of advocacy by civil society for the recognition by the Security Council that young men and young women have a critical and positive role to play for building sustainable peace.
“Its passage would not have been achieved without the leadership of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, who sponsored the resolution, hosted the Global Forum in Amman and led an Open Debate in the Security Council in April 2015.
“This resolution is the first to be fully dedicated to recognizing the important and positive role young women and men play in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.
“It recognizes that the energy and creativity of young people should be harnessed and actively engaged in shaping lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation, and that a large youth population presents a demographic dividend that can contribute to lasting peace and economic prosperity if inclusive policies are in place.
“UNSCR 2250 acknowledges that the growth of violent extremism, especially amongst young women and men, threatens stability and development, and can often derail peacebuilding efforts, and foment conflict.
The remaining part of the statement reads,
“The Resolution stresses the importance of addressing the conditions and factors leading to the rise of violent radicalization and extremism amongst youth. It also notes the important role young women and men can play as positive role models in preventing and countering violent extremism.
“A reference to the Secretary General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism to integrate youth’s participation, leadership and empowerment as core to the United Nation’s strategy and responses, is included.
Security Council Resolution 2250 specifically identifies five main pillars for action:
Participation: calling on Member States to involve young people in conflict prevention and resolution, in violence prevention and in the promotion of social cohesion. “Member States are urged to consider ways to increase representation of youth in decision making at all levels.
Protection: recalling the obligations to protect civilians, including young people, during armed conflict and in post conflict times, and in particular from all forms of sexual and gender based violence.
“Prevention: urging the facilitation of enabling environments, investments in socio-economic development and quality education for young women and young men, and the creation of mechanisms to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, intercultural and interreligious dialogue that involve youth.
“Partnership: highlighting the need to increase political, financial, technical and logistical support for the work with young peacebuilders by relevant UN entities as well as regional and international organizations.
“It also highlights the importance of partnering with youth, local communities and non-governmental actors in countering violence extremism.
“Disengagement and reintegration: for young women and men directly involved in armed conflict, including through youth employment opportunities, inclusive labour policies, national youth employment action plans in partnership with the private sector, relevant education opportunities, and support for youth-led and peacebuilding organizations as partners in youth employment and entrepreneurship programs.
“In response to the unanimous adoption of the UNSCR 2250 on Youth Peace and Security, Nigeria developed and launched a National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) that is anchored on the five pillars of the UNSCR 2250 on YPS on November 1, 2021. Working with Civil Society and Youth groups, we have also established the Nigeria Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (NCYPS) that is co-Chaired by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa, and the Youth Wing of the Police Community Relations Committee. “The NCYPS through its co-Chairs and Steering Committee is leading the implementation of the NAPYPS in Nigeria.
In a bid to localize UNSCR 2250 in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry for Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa (CSDEA), and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) – Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the UNSCR 2250 in Abuja in October, 2016 to bring attention to the issues of Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) – marking a renewed focus on the YPS agenda in Nigeria. An outcome of the launch was the establishment of a National Working Group on Youth and Peacebuilding which later became the Nigeria Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security, when the Interagency Working Group on Youth and Peacebuilding metamorphosed into the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security.
Another outcome of the launch of the UNSCR 2250 in Nigeria and the subsequent 2017 National Consultative Conference on Youth, Peace and Security was the call by stakeholders to develop a NAPYPS. The process to develop a NAPYPS in Nigeria was robust including over a dozen of in-person consultations with young people and other stakeholders in the form of national conferences, zonal workshops, national validation meetings, and community level focus group discussions to bring together youth groups, civil society, government, security agencies, the media, traditional and religious institutions from communities across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Inputs were also received through over one dozen online consultations and meetings. Several youth and civil society organizations as well as the AU through its Youth for Peace (Africa) Program sent in written inputs. Notably, these consultations were preceded by a desk review, development of structured instruments, pre-test and validation of the instruments before use. Thereafter, the NAPYPS was subjected to an affirmation meeting on the 27th of August, 2021 before its official launch on November 1st, 2021 by the Honorable Ministers of Youth and Sports Development, and Women Affairs.
“The Youth, Peace and Security agenda in Nigeria has the Nigeria Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security, its co-Chairs, the Steering Committee with the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development leading its implementation.
“There are also State Coalitions on Youth Peace and Security across Nigeria and especially in pilot states that are also led by three co-Chairs and a Steering Committee.
“The NAPYPS (2021 – 2024) which was developed to reflect and build upon the five pillars of the UNSCR 2250 is now in its pilot phase of implementation in Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Kaduna, Oyo and Plateau states, and the Federal Capital Territory. “These states have been chosen as pilots to measure impact and collect data that will guide scaling full implementation to other states. It is also noteworthy to mention that NAPYPS implementation is also on-going in non-pilot states that were able to mobilize additional resources. These states include Katsina, Kano, Nasarawa and Kogi. Both Kogi and Nasarawa states have recently launched their State Action Plans on YPS.
“Earlier this year, the Nigeria Coalition on YPS and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development released its one year impact report of the implementation of the NAPYPS and the Youth Peace and Security Agenda as part of the commitment of stakeholders to periodic reviews.
“The report highlighted progress in ensuring effective communication among stakeholders, building on existing structures at both national and state levels, peer exchange, knowledge sharing, advocacy, capacity development, state frameworks on YPS, and the onset of specific government budgets for YPS.
“The impact report also pointed out that inadequate funding, bureaucracy, limited capacity on YPS among stakeholders, lack of safe spaces for civil society and youth groups are some of the challenges militating against the implementation of the NAPYPS and the YPS Agenda in Nigeria.
“We are hopeful that the implementation of the NAPYPS and the YPS Agenda will open positive and sustainable opportunities for young people, including the spaces to express their talents and contribute to lasting peace and development of our great nation, Nigeria.
“We call on all Nigerian citizens and our international partners to support us in this bold step to giving opportunities to the youth to express their talents and creativities leading to lasting peace and development for our great nation, Nigeria.
Metro
Group threatens to occupy govt house if Akeredolu fails to hand over to his Deputy

A group, under the aegis of Peoples Democratic Party Forever Initiative (PDPFI) has threatened to occupy government House if Governor Rotimi Akeredolu fails to handover to his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa without further delay
The group insisted that if the ailing governor fails to handover within 72 hours, they will occupy the government house on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the National Coordinator of the group, Obande Gideon declared that though, they will continue to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery as human, but his incapacitation should not affect governance.
The group said that there is a provision for a deputy who shall discharge his duties in an acting capacity as empowered by the law, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to provide the kind of leadership expected of it by Nigerians.
The group decried the ineptitude of APC government, adding that APC has failed to manage the political crisis in Ondo State.
PDPFI said: “The worst of it is the political vacuum in Ondo State where the APC led Federal government used in showcasing its ineptitude towards governance in the Country.
“It also happened in Taraba State when the late Gov Danbaba Suntai had an air crash, we resolved the crisis but the ruling APC has failed woefully in managing the political crisis in Ondo State. This is a sign that the APC led Federal government is insensitive to the plights of Nigerians.”
The group further pointed out that APC has abandoned the constitution to serve some personal interest.
It wondered why it is so difficult to call the State Assembly to order and ensure smooth working relationship between the Deputy Governor and the sick Governor’s family.
The group warned that they can not fold their hands and watch the nation been sank, adding that their action is to guide the ruling party.
The group said: “Once upon a time, our party, the peoples Democratic Party attempted to protest against the leadership vacuum in Ondo State but the security agencies prevented us. We are not giving up, we are resilience in propagating good governance at all time.
“It has become ridiculous and indeed a laughing stock the activities of non state actors, who display their overbearing influence on the management of affairs of Ondo State in view of their relationship with the ailing Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
“The Governor has been around in the Country but obviously not fit enough to manage the affairs of the State. The question is, since the Deputy Governor is not allowed to act, and the Governor has refused to resume, who is administering the State at the moment.
“We hereby call on Governor Olawarotimi Akeredolu to resume within 72hours or hand over power to his Deputy for effective management of Ondo State.
“We make bold to say that, if the Governor fail to resume or handover power to his Deputy within 72hours, we will have no option than to occupy Ondo State Government House to press home our demand, he stated.
Metro
Adamant NLC, TUC declare nationwide strike starting Monday midnight

Despite restraining order by the National Industrial Court (NIC) against the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), counterparts from embacking on strike, the unions have resolved to commence the planned nationwide strike from midnight today (Monday)
In a statement on Monday, the unions ordered workers nationwide to withdraw their services at midnight.
“In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13th November 2023,” the unions said in a joint statement.
“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms.”
While assuring members of further updates about the nationwide strike, organised labour urged them to “remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people”.
The strike is part of labour’s moves to push for justice after the National President of the NLC Joe Ajaero was malhandled in Imo State last week. Ajaero and other NLC members were in the South-East state for a protest over “non-payment of salaries and pensions for 44 months and violation of other labour rights”.
However, the NLC chief was treated as a criminal in the state with the union accusing Imo state of arranging the attack to stifle protests over workers’ rights. Ajaero was badly hurt, bundled into a van and briefly detained, according to the union.
Following the incident, NLC and TUC threatened to go on a nationwide strike on November 14 if the government failed to meet its demands, which included the resignation of police officials.
“We are worried that it has become criminal for workers in Nigeria to gather for a peaceful protest,” they said.
Last week, the unions picketed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to press home their demands, leaving travellers stranded.
Recent strikes have had a mixed turnout. Last month the unions agreed to call off a planned strike in protest over rising living costs after the government offered a package of measures to cushion the impact of its economic reforms.
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