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Abbas Charges Youths To Take Deliberate Action To Shape Nigeria’s Political Future

Published

11 months ago

July 29, 2025

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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged Nigerian youths to rise beyond rhetoric and take deliberate action to shape the country’s political future.

Speaker Abbas stated this at the launch of the Take Action Campaign themed: “Awakening a Generation: Youthful Leadership for a New Nigeria”, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Speaker who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, called on young people to see themselves not only as leaders of tomorrow, but as key drivers of Nigeria’s present transformation.

“The youth are not just the future, they are the present. They must begin to reflect their numbers in the governance of this nation,”he said.

The Take Action Campaign, spearheaded by the Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF), is a nationwide initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians to take up leadership roles in politics and public service.

Speaker Abbas expressed worries that despite the youths comprising over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population, their influence in decision-making and governance remains minimal.

He emphasised the need for young people to be more deliberate about entering public service, engaging with laws, and actively shaping policies that affect their lives.

“If we cannot articulate the change we want or push for it through structured engagement, then what are we doing?” he asked.

Highlighting the significance of legislative reforms such as the Not Too Young to Run Act, the Speaker noted that the National Assembly had already commence opening the space for youth participation. He cited the example of Hon. Mohammed from Kebbi State, who was elected into the House at just 26 years old, as a clear sign of what is possible when the system becomes more inclusive.

He also gave his support to legislative efforts to improve gender inclusiveness, referencing a bill currently before the House that seeks to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly.

Abbas called on young Nigerians to examine the proposal and lend their voices constructively, noting the transformative impact such representation could have on national development.

“Imagine if over 100 seats were reserved for women and more than 70 of those seats were occupied by women under 35. That would change the national conversation entirely,” he said.

In addressing the growing trend of young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, a phenomenon known as “japa”, the Speaker urged the youth to rethink the idea of escape as a permanent solution. “Even with a blue passport abroad, you’re still a second-class citizen. No one can ever take your Nigerian identity from you. This is your land, your mission, your birthright,” he said.

He appealed to Nigeria’s young population, “Don’t just sit behind your devices criticizing. Get involved. Monitor policies. Ask hard questions. Make noise where it matters. We have no other country but this one. So let us rise and take action.”

The Director General of the Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF), Hon. Tony Nwulu, underscored the urgency of youth participation in governance.

He said the unveiling of the Take Action Campaign, a youth-driven movement, had a singular mission to transform Nigeria’s political landscape by empowering young Nigerians to run for office and take charge of their future.

He outlined the four-pronged approach of the campaign which are mobilizing, mentoring, and supporting young aspirants at all levels of governance; building structures in all 36 states and the FCT to prepare youth for political participation; launching voter engagement strategies to activate and educate youth voting blocs; and facilitating the election of young legislators into state and national assemblies by 2027.

He described TAC as more than a campaign, calling it a national awakening, a call to action, to participation, and to leadership.

Nwulu decried the persistent under-representation of youth in governance, despite constituting over 60 percent of the nation’s population.

According to him, TAC is YIPF’s strategic response to this imbalance, a grassroots-powered initiative designed to shift young Nigerians from the political sidelines to the decision-making table.

“Today’s unveiling marks the beginning of a journey that will see the rise of a new political consciousness, one led by young Nigerians who are ready to legislate, innovate, and govern,” Nwulu said.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, praised the Take Action Campaign, which be described as the logical progression from the Not Too Young to Run movement.

Represented by the State’s Director General of Research and Development, Moses Okezie-Okafor, he described himself as a product of that political opportunity, having served in the state’s executive council across two administrations.

“Some youths decided to take action and the political space opened up. This campaign is the action phase. This is not just about talk, it’s time to lead,” he said.

He cited Kogi’s unique gender inclusion model, where all local government deputy chairpersons are women. In some cases, both chairperson and deputy are women.

“The Secretary to the State Government and the Accountant General are also women,” he noted. “The goal is to create a deliberate, balanced political structure that allows women and young people to thrive.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his demonstrated commitment to youth inclusion and immediate recognition of youth achievements, such as the recent honor accorded the Falconets.

“Let everyone give the youth the opportunity, immediately, now, and in the present,” he urged.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, aligned the state with the objectives of the Take Action Campaign, saying it reflects the reality already being shaped in Imo.

Represented by Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Chika Abazu, he said, “This campaign couldn’t have come at a better time. In Imo, youth are not only appointed,they are empowered. Over 40 percent of the state cabinet is youth. I myself benefited from the Not Too Young to Run movement and now serve as commissioner.”

He urged young Nigerians not to merely aspire but to perform and to see their roles as part of a larger developmental value chain.

He emphasised the role of youth in shaping a new Nigeria through innovation, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit.

“We have a whole brand-new country to build. This campaign only becomes meaningful when those who enter leadership through it leave the door open behind them,” he said.

News

DAY 18 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT

Published

45 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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President Tinubu Will Commission Roads To Renewed Hope Cities, Estates in Karsana West Today

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FG Clears Inherited N39.6bn Pension Arrears Under Renewed Hope Agenda Drive

Published

47 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has received the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs. Tolulope Odunaiya, on a briefing over the successful settlement of more than ₦39.6 billion in longstanding pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The briefing highlighted another milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, following the Federal Government’s clearance of inherited pension obligations that had remained outstanding for years.

Mrs. Odunaiya informed the Minister that the payments comprise ₦25.05 billion representing the outstanding 35-month pension liability owed to 9,675 eligible pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL; ₦9.48 billion representing the initial 50 per cent payment of the Back End Computation (BEC) arrears to 3,959 eligible PHCN pensioners; and ₦5.09 billion representing the balance 50 per cent payment of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increment arrears due to 11,180 eligible pensioners of the defunct Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL and People’s Bank of Nigeria.

She explained that the settlement followed Presidential approval granted in August 2025, with the required funding subsequently provided under the 2026 Appropriation Act.

According to her, the exercise has now brought to a close all inherited pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of pensioners.

Commending PTAD for the successful execution of the exercise, the Honourable Minister said the settlement demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to address longstanding obligations through prudent fiscal management and responsible governance.

“For many pensioners, this is more than the settlement of outstanding arrears; it is the restoration of confidence and dignity. The Ministry of Finance will continue to support measures that strengthen public financial management while ensuring that government obligations are met in a sustainable and timely manner,” Mr. Oyedele said.

The development marks another milestone in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting the Federal Government’s focus on meeting longstanding obligations, strengthening public confidence and improving the welfare of pensioners.

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Xenophobia: 271 Nigerians to return from South Africa today

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

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The Federal Government says 271 Nigerians will return from South Africa today, Friday, July 3, due to recent xenophobic protests.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuees will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m.

Its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the exercise shows the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and ensuring their safe return during crises.

The first batch of 258 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight. They were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, and handed over to government agencies for documentation and profiling.

The Ministry explained that logistic challenges delayed the second evacuation flight, prompting the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to temporarily accommodate and care for affected citizens awaiting their return.

It added that a Nigerian philanthropist voluntarily sponsored the air tickets of 66 stranded nationals, who returned to Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight on June 24.

According to the statement, a second government-arranged evacuation flight landed in Lagos on June 30 with 269 returnees, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa so far to 593.

The Ministry further announced that three additional evacuation flights have been scheduled to bring home all Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation and have completed the required screening and clearance process.

It also dismissed allegations that officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa demanded money from citizens before including them on the evacuation list.

It emphasised that all special evacuation flights are fully funded by the Federal Government and that no returnee is required to pay any fee.

According to the statement, claims that mission staff requested payment for evacuation are false and should be disregarded.

It commended the cooperation of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the operation, noting that their collaboration has contributed significantly to the success of the evacuation exercise.

It reaffirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy, adding that the government will continue to provide support, dignity and care to citizens affected by crises overseas.