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Marwa tasks youths on skills acquisition, empowerment opportunities
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Nigerian youths have been urged to embrace skills acquisition and other empowerment opportunities provided in various intervention programmes offered by government and other stakeholders as a safeguard against falling into the trap of substance abuse and other social vices.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) gave the charge in his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skill acquisition programme by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organization, held in Abuja on Thursday 5th February 2026.
He expressed happiness that the programme aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration on youth empowerment, skills acquisition, job creation, and social inclusion. “Training and empowering 10,000 young Nigerians through practical skills is not just an NGO activity; it is direct support to government efforts, complementing national programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and general crimes”, he stated, adding that “initiatives such as this one by Grassroots Bridge Builders deserve national applause.”
According to him, “what this organization is doing today is not charity; it is capacity building, character development, future protection, and prevention from drug abuse and its attendant consequences on our youth and the larger society.”
He noted that government alone cannot solve all of society’s problems. “ The fight against drug abuse and associated crimes is everybody’s business. That is why I wish to use this platform to call on other NGOs, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, community leaders, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate this initiative.”
He encouraged stakeholders to partner with NDLEA to design and implement programmes that give youth skills, dignity, purpose, and a sense of belonging, stressing that prevention works best when communities, organizations, and government collaborate. “To the young people here today, I want to say this clearly: you are not a problem to be managed; you are a solution to be empowered. Your talents, creativity, and resilience are needed to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria. Embrace opportunities such as this, stay away from drugs, and invest in yourselves and the country”, he stated
While congratulating Grassroots Bridge Builders for demonstrating that empowering youth is the most sustainable way to secure Nigeria’s future, he assured of his support for all genuine, non-partisan initiatives that promote youth development, skills acquisition, and drug-free communities in line with national objectives.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Aliyu Wadada has promised to revive the committee’s activities after acknowledging concerns over its prolonged inactivity.
Wadada spoke on Thursday at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja.
Specifically, the chairman admitted that the committee had been underutilised, noting that it had met only once in the last three years.
He, however, said issues responsible for the situation had been identified during a closed-door session and would be addressed.
“Of course I feel concerned about it, but when we got into the details in a closed-door meeting, we got to know where the problems are, and they will all be taken care of. The committee will be as active as it should always be,” he said.
Commenting further, the chairman said the committee would focus on its core mandate of promoting and strengthening legislative relations between Nigeria’s National Assembly and parliamentary bodies across the world.
According to him, the committee will deepen engagement with regional and international legislative institutions, including the ECOWAS Parliament, the Pan-African Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and other parliamentary organisations.
He disclosed that a new work plan had already been developed to guide the committee’s activities.
He added: “The direction is basically around the responsibilities of the committee, which is to promote and deepen legislative relationship within Nigeria and with other legislative bodies around the world”.
The chairman added that the committee’s first major activity would be a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation.
SINL NIgeria Online reports that Senator Wadada assured that the public would be kept informed of the committee’s activities as the new work plan is implemented.
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers has increased to N100,000 after the Federal Government reviewed their welfare package.
Musa made the disclosure during an interview with News Central ahead of his appearance on the NC Exclusive programme.
He said the adjustment was part of efforts by the government to improve the living conditions of military personnel.
Executive Branch
The former Chief of Defence Staff, however, said the country’s defence sector still requires more funding despite the improvement in soldiers’ earnings and welfare.
He stated that the current defence budget remains inadequate, adding that more resources are needed to effectively support the armed forces and their operations.
Musa explained that soldiers who previously earned about N49,000 monthly now receive at least N100,000 following the salary review carried out by the government.
The minister also called for tougher punishment for kidnappers, saying stronger measures are needed to reduce the increasing cases of abduction across Nigeria.
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Senator Wadada promises to deepen legislative ties, stop inactivity
Just in: FG jerks up salaries soldiers to N100k monthly
DAY 22 of Projects Commissioning in the FCT
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