News
Group to Train 5,000 North East Youths on ICT
Arewa Young Leaders Initiative, a group of youths from the 19 northern states and Federal Capital Territory campaigning for a drug-free north, says it plans to train 5,000 youths on ICT in the northeast.
Malam Ibrahim Yusuf, Drug-Free Campaign Coordinator, disclosed this in Gombe on Thursday after a rally which terminated at the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu’s palace.
The coordinator said the training was to discourage drug consumption among youths by engaging them in meaningful ventures.
He said the training would be in collaboration with Microsoft and will commence before May.
The campaign coordinator said the group would also establish a skill acquisition centre in Gombe to serve the entire region.
Yusuf said the campaign was one of the key outcomes of the 2nd Arewa Youth Leadership Summit held in January at the Nigeria Airforce Conference centre Abuja.
He said drug abuse in the Northern region, especially among young people was an issue of concern which needed to be tackled.
He said the project was intended to be continuous in the span of five years.
“The campaign was structured and tailored to be holistic and all-encompassing with series of activities that are knitted together, for the benefit of youth,” he said.
The coordinator said key influential statesmen would be identified to disabuse the mind of young people on drug and inspire them for leadership.
Also, Mr. Aliyu Adole, Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Gombe, said the prevalence of drug abuse among youths in Gombe was high.
He called on the emir to facilitate the furnishing of the rehabilitation centre in Gombe.
“We have a befitting structure which was constructed by the state government but not equipped with standard facilities,” he said.
In his response, Shehu said it was his responsibility as a father to all to ensure drug-free society.
He appealed to youths in the states to desist from social vices capable of destroying their future.
“Drug abuse kills development because the population engaged in it is supposed to be the future leaders of the country.
“I want to assure you of my commitment as a father to all, in ensuring a drug-free society,” he said.
EFCC
The African Development Bank Group last week approved an investment of €6.5 million in the Saviu II fund in order to support technology start-ups through their seed phase and first institutional fundraising, mainly in French-speaking Central and West Africa.
The Bank will invest €4.5 million as equity and €2 million as a first-loss hedging tranche on behalf of the European Commission, under the Boost Africa Programme.
This participation of the Bank Group will enable the Saviu II fund to give priority to companies with a strong technological or digital component.
Saviu II, the second investment vehicle of Saviu Partners, plans to invest between €500,000 and €3 million in about 20 technology or technology-oriented business-to-business start-ups in the seed phase or carrying out first institutional fundraising.
The Saviu II venture capital fund aims to make at least 60% of its commitments in the French-speaking countries of West and Central Africa: Côte d ‘Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The fund can also co-invest in promising technology companies in East Africa that have a strong team and business model, and whose strategy includes entering the market in French-speaking West African countries and establishing a strong presence there.
In addition, the fund will devote a dedicated envelope to pre-seed investments, focusing on minority equity investments, usually in co-investment with studios, incubators or other ecosystem partners.
Nigerian Government has signed a $1.3 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) via the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) to fund an alumina refinery, national geoscience mapping, and a strategic investment vehicle for mining growth.
Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, said the refinery will process one million tonnes of bauxite yearly using a modern Bayer process, powered by an on-site gas-fired cogeneration plant.
Minister Dele Alake called it a transformative milestone boosting GDP, aligning with reforms that improve investment climate, regulations, and licensing to attract private capital. He directed agencies to fast-track permits.
The 20-year project at 95% utilization eyes 19 million tonnes total output, $1.2 billion annual GDP addition, $25 billion economic impact, and $8 billion forex earnings, per feasibility studies.
SMDF Executive Secretary Fatima Shinkafi termed it the agency’s biggest funding deal, supporting value-addition policy.
The partnership extends to geoscience mapping for mineral data, de-risking exploration, and a joint vehicle for mining assets.
Permanent Secretary Engr. Farouk Yabo praised the reforms. Shinkafi signed for government; AFC’s Franklin Edochie for the corporation, witnessed by AFC CEO Samaila Zubairu.
Tomori positioned it as Nigeria’s largest private mining investment and FDI magnet.
SEC Revokes Registration of Kensington Agro Trading Limited
NCDC Raises Alarm over Lassa Fever Ravaging 18 States in Nigeria
Lagos Deploys Drones, AI to Boost Traffic Response
Purple Woman 3.0 Is Back, to Empower Women in Tech this IWD 2026
NRS Targets N40trillion in Tax, Royalty Revenue in 2026
Accidental Billionaire Opts for Jail Instead of Returning Money Credited Him by Mistake
Kaspersky Brings more Transparency to Threat Detection with New Hunt Hub
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation Bolsters Nigeria’s Education Drive with ₦2.7m Student Support
NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information
OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit
E-Financial2 days agoIran-Israel-US Conflict and CBN’s FX Gains: A Stress Test for Nigeria’s Monetary Stability
E-Financial2 days agoMutual Benefits Assurance Reaffirms Full Regulatory Compliance, Enhanced Governance
General News2 days agoJAMB Uncovers AI-Driven Fraud Targeting UTME Candidates, Warns Parents
General News2 days agoSERAP Asks FCCPC to Investigate Google, Meta, Others over Alleged Rights Abuses
Telecom1 day agoSunil Bharti Mittal Conferred GSMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Transforming Global Telecommunications
News2 days agoTeamApt, Awabah Partner to Boost Pension Drive for Nigerians
News2 days agoFlashChange CEO, Bidemi Oke, Urges Startups to Build Strong Governance Structures Early
Telecom2 days agoWhy Digital Trust Matters: Secure, Responsible AI for African SMEs?