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Reps Seek Vocational Training Centers to Tackle Youth Unemployment

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By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The House of Representatives has called for the urgent need to empower Nigerian youths through structured vocational and entrepreneurial training.
 
Naijablitznews.com reports that the House commenced legislative action on a bill seeking to establish federal vocational and skills training centres across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas in a bid to tackle youth unemployment and drive national development through alternative education.
 
At the maiden public hearing on the proposed legislation by the House Committee on Alternative Education, the Chairman, Rep. Ibrahim Almustapha said the session marked a significant step at addressing the country’s long-standing gaps in skills acquisition and technical training. 
 
The Chairman said the initiative was a commitment to the future of the nation, underscoring the global shift toward skill-based economies driven by technology and innovation.
 
He daid: “In a world that is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing market demands, it is imperative that we equip our young people with the necessary skills to thrive. The establishment of these centres is not just a policy initiative; it is a national imperative”.  
 
The hearing featured deliberations on nine related bills, including proposals for the creation of: National Institute for Technical and Vocational Education, Kalgo, Kebbi State; National Vocational Training Centre in all 774 LGAs (HB. 736); Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Maiduguri, Borno State; and Federal Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Centre, Mallam Madori, Jigawa State
 
Others are Federal Technical and Vocational Training Center, Aba, Abia State; Federal Vocational Training Center, Riyom, Plateau State; Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Bunza, Kebbi State; Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ntigha, Abia State; and National Vocational and Entrepreneurship Institute, Jos, Plateau State.
 
According to the Committee, these proposed centres would serve as a vehicle for equipping Nigerians, especially those without formal primary, secondary, or tertiary education, with practical skills to ensure self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
 
The Chairman praised the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, for establishing the Committee on Alternative Education for the first time in Nigeria’s legislative history, and described it as a forward-looking decision aimed at bridging legislative and institutional gaps in non-formal education and training.
 
“Our Committee is not only focused on making this sector a key alternative source of revenue and economic growth, but also on helping to develop institutions that will impart knowledge and skills to build our nation through progressive legislation. 
 
“This platform gives us the opportunity to tap into the views of stakeholders, experts, and citizens who will ultimately be the beneficiaries of these initiatives,” he added.
 
The lawmaker acknowledged the contributions of Committee members and expressed gratitude to stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including educators, government officials, civil society actors, and industry leaders who attended the hearing.
 
Almustapha stressed the broader objective of the initiative to provide Nigerian youths with real opportunities to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
 
“I encourage each of you to share your thoughts candidly. We must work together to ensure that the proposed bills are comprehensive, inclusive, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our country. 
 
“Let us remember that the future of Nigeria rests in the hands of our youth. It is our responsibility to provide them with the opportunities they deserve. Together, we can build a brighter future through education, skills training, and empowerment,” he urged. 
 
The Speaker Abbas emphasised the resolve tof the 10th House to ensure empowerment of Nigerian youths through vocational and skills training.
 
He said: “In a world that is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and changing market demands, it is imperative that we equip our young people with the necessary skills to thrive. The establishment of these centres is not just a policy initiative; it is a commitment to the future of our nation.
 
“Again, it is common knowledge that vocational training and entrepreneurial skill acquisition is a foundation and catalyst to the growth of nations like Nigeria as her economy depends on the contributions of this vital sector. 
 
“Nigeria, by any standard, is well endowed with youthful population readily available to acquire vocational training and entrepreneurial skills and use same for self-reliance and nation building.
 
“The fact that our vocational and entrepreneurial skill acquisition sector has not translated into a desirable outcome has remained a concern”, he said. 
 
The Speaker who was represented by Rep. Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh , assured that as legislators charged with law making, oversighting as well as representing the sector, the Committee is not only focused on making the sector a key alternative source of revenue and economic growth, but also poised to contribute in the development of centers that will impact skills and knowledge for the nation through progressive legislations.
 
He called for the release of funds for existing vocational centres, stressing that many of them are currently underfunded and unable to function at their full potential. 
 
Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, argued that other institutions might be of greater priority in some LGAs than vocational centres.
 
“Let us critically look at it and see the workability and fit it into the area that needs it,” he said. 
 
Also speaking, Rep. Olatunji Akinosi described the bill as “one of the most important bills this 10th assembly”. 
 
“Before now, Nigerians have attached so much importance to having certificates. The countries we have tried to emulate do not have this kind of system. Your technical worth makes so much importance to them,” he said. 
 
Rep. Olatunji argued that Nigeria’s overemphasis on academic certificates hinders national progress, noting that developed countries like China, the US, the UK, and Germany value technical skills over paper qualifications.
 
The lawmaker added that Nigeria should shift focus from credentials to practical competence.
 
Other stakeholders who spoke on the objectives of proposed legislations expressed optimism that the bills when passed into law will boost Entrepreneurial skills and country’s industrialisation programmes.
 
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NNPC slashes petrol price twice within four days

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has slashed its fuel pump price for the second time within four days.

A market survey on Saturday by DAILY POST showed that NNPCL retail outlets around Airport Junction and Wuse Zone 6 (Berger) in Abuja have reduced their petrol price to N1210 per litre, down from N1260.

This means that the state-owned oil firm slashed the petrol price by N50 per litre.

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This comes barely two days after Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol gantry price by N50 to N1,125 per litre.

Recall that four days ago, NNPCL had adjusted its fuel price pump by N75 per litre to N1260.

With the latest drop by NNPCL retail outlets, petrol prices stand between N1210 per litre and N1305 per litre in Abuja and its environs.

The reduction in domestic fuel comes amid falling crude oil prices, which stand at $69 per barrel and $71 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude, respectively, following the easing of the conflict in the Middle East.

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Recall that President Bola Tinubu has kept mum amid the clamour by Nigerians for a commensurate drop in domestic fuel pump prices due to the significant reduction in crude oil prices.

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Lokoja Court order: INEC speaks on NDC, says it’s yet to receive CTC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Federal High Court judgment that set aside an earlier order directing it to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party.

INEC revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola.

According to the commission, although it is aware of media reports on the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on June 26, it cannot comment on the ruling until it obtains and reviews the certified copy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

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“However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court’s order,” the statement said.

INEC stated that its legal department would study the judgment upon receipt of the CTC before advising the commission on the next course of action.

“Once the Commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.

“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the Commission’s formal position on the matter,” Oketola added.

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Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja had on Friday set aside the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment directing INEC to register the NDC as a political party.

The court held that the rights of the Peace Movement Party were affected by the earlier judgment because it was not joined in the suit despite claiming ownership of the logo relied upon in securing the registration order.

Justice Dashen consequently ordered that all parties be restored to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined.

The NDC has rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision. Its National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, maintained that the party had not been deregistered and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revisit a matter on which it had already delivered a final judgment.

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The ruling has also attracted reactions from opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other stakeholders, who described the decision as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to challenge it through all available legal channels.

INEC, however, maintained that it would reserve its position on the judgment until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy.

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Just in: Police rescue five abductees in Ogun

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A joint police operation rescued five victims abducted near Ogbere Forest in Ogun state on Wednesday.

They were rescued within 25 hours by the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands, which were part of a joint operation codenamed KOSAYE, meaning “No Space” in Yoruba.

The woman was among the victims who were shot in the incident. Her daughter and sister were among those rescued by the police on Thursday.

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