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

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1 year 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.

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Makinde Hails Adeleke’s Re-election, Berates Attempt to Use Federal Might

Published

2 hours ago

August 16, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has hailed his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State.

Makinde, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said Adeleke’s victory was a reward for his commitment to serving the people and delivering good governance.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor commended Osun voters for demonstrating courage and determination in exercising their franchise despite what he described as violence and the use of federal power.

He urged Adeleke to see his re-election as an opportunity and encouragement to consolidate his achievements and deliver more development to the people of Osun State.

Makinde said the outcome of the election had once again demonstrated that power ultimately belongs to the people in a democracy.

“The results of the election proved again that the people reserve the absolute power in a democracy and that their movement will always triumph over all other considerations,” he said.

The governor also commended the people of Osun State for voting for their preferred candidate, saying their action demonstrated that the will of the electorate could prevail over political manoeuvring.

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Osun election: Read What Adeleke Said After Defeating Oyebamiji

Published

2 hours ago

August 16, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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Osun State Governor and candidate of the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke, has thanked God and the people of the state following his victory in the governorship election, saying he expects the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call and congratulate him.

Adeleke, speaking after the declaration of the election result, described his victory as a triumph for democracy and a reward from the people of Osun State for his administration’s achievements.

He thanked God for what he described as a successful election, saying the outcome reflected the people’s appreciation of his administration’s efforts in infrastructure, healthcare, security and other areas.

“I thank God Almighty for this victory. It’s a victory for democracy. Victory for Osun election,” Adeleke said.

According to him, the result was also a way for the people of Osun to repay his administration for its efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare and security across the state.

He said: “The victory is a way Osun people is repaying me for the infrastructural developments, health, security and other things I have delivered for my people.”

Adeleke, who adopted a conciliatory tone after the election, said there was no victor and no vanquished, while expressing optimism that his main challenger would accept the outcome.

It’s no victor, no vanquish. I am expecting for the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call me and congratulate me,” he said.

The governor also attributed his victory to his faith in God, saying, “I have a God who never fails.”

Adeleke further thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a successful election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji of the APC, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11, giving the incumbent a 66,252-vote margin.

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NDLEA nabs India-bound bizman with cocaine, recovers N3.6b Colos, codeine in Lagos(Photos)

Published

5 hours ago

August 16, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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. 70-year-old grandpa nabbed, large consignments of opioids, others seized in Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo, Delta sweeps

A 48-year-old businessman Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi who liquidated all his assets to chase a dream of quick riches in the illicit drug trade has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos, while heading to New Delhi, India, with 1.550 kilograms of cocaine cleverly concealed within the side walls and railings of his bag.

Nwankwo who deals in marbles in Lagos was arrested at the departure hall of terminal II of the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.

A search of his check-in bag uncovered 1.550 kilograms of cocaine factory-fitted in the walls and railings of his bag.

In a candid confession that lays bare the desperation that fuels the drug trade, Nwankwo said he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the ₦23 million he paid for the consignment, with the expectation of selling it in India for as much as N100 million.

With his assets gone, and Nwankwo’s dream of transiting from a marble trader to a drug kingpin effectively shattered following his arrest, the suspect remains in custody awaiting prosecution and likely time in jail.

In another operation, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a warehouse within a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu street Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos, where a massive stockpile of codeine-based syrup was discovered.

A total of 3,776 cartons, comprising 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance, valued at over N2.6 billion, were recovered between Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August 2026.
In yet another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 14th August raided the residence of a 55-year-old kingpin Shoremi Kayode, at 37 Ogundare street, Ipaja estate, Ipaja area of Lagos, recovering 324 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a street value of Nine Hundred and Seventy-Two Million Naira (N972,000,000).

Also recovered from the suspect were a Mercedes-Benz car and a Toyota Corolla car.
In Kwara, two suspects: Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, were on Thursday 13th August arrested at Kam Wire area of Ilorin with 55.96kg skunk in a truck marked DKA 350 XL recovered, while two other suspects: 70-year-old grandpa Abdulfatai Oyelaran and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, were nabbed by NDLEA officers on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday 12th August. Recovered from their Toyota Sienna vehicle marked FFA-115KA, include: 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.

A total of 124,100 pills of tramadol; 786 bottles of codeine syrup; 2,598 tablets of rohypnol;
4,800 tablets of diazepam; 470 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of tramadol injection were recovered from two suspects: Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, along Onitsha/Asaba expressway on Thursday 13th August, while another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was nabbed with 1,244 pieces of cartridges and monetary exhibit of eight million naira (N8,000,000) only along Kwale/Ozoro expressway on Wednesday 12th August.
A Toyota Corolla car with registration number MKD 341 EA was intercepted by NDLEA operatives along Riyom/Jos road, Jos Plateau state where 239,490 caps of tramaforce, a brand of tramadol were recovered and a suspect Kasum Sherif arrested.
In Kano, six suspects were arrested on Monday 10th August by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Zaria-Kano road.

They include: Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39. Large consignments of opioids were recovered from them include 728,958 pills of tramadol, rohypnol, and others as well as 360 grams of cocaine, 99.8 grams of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and and 2.7 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

Also in Kano, NDLEA operatives on Friday 14th August raided the Zawaciki Gida Dubu, Kumbotso LGA, where they recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg and arrested two suspects: Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24 in connection with the seizure.
A total of 4,628.9775kg skunk was destroyed on two cannabis farms that measured 1.851591 hectares at Ugboku/Igbanke forest, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state where a suspect Agholor Elebojie, 40, was arrested in one of the farms during a raid by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 12th August. Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was nabbed with 25.857kg Loud and 93 grams of meth during a raid of drug joints at Oluku area of Benin city on Friday 14th August.

The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School, Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School, Ajah, Lagos state, among others.

While commending the officers, men and women of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.