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Rome wasn’t built in a day – Minister tells Nigerian youths
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, has appealed to Nigerian youths to be patient, saying “Rome was not built in a day”.
Olawande made the call at a retirement dinner of Hajiya Walida Isa, Director, Corps Mobilisation, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday in Abuja.
The Youth Minister praised the exemplary service of the retired NYSC Director emphasising her boldness, courage and steadfastness.
He, however, highlighted the importance of diligence, factualness and contributing meaningfully to the country regardless of one’s role.
“Well, when I was speaking, I said it clearly. I said that if there is one thing that I’ve learned from this woman during her service, things we’ve heard about her, before we know her is boldness.
“She is courageous and steadfast. As a youth, be focused and just know that you can contribute anything meaningful to the country, whichever quota or whichever way they put you.
” So my message for the young people is that Rome is not built in a day. It is a process and this process is what we are in now. And the process is what we are seeing with what she has done and everybody is here to celebrate her.
” So what are they going to know you for when you are out of one particular job you are doing? We have clearly know and feel the good work, the good actions and great things she has done.
” We are satisfied and we know we are gaining a lot from her, as youths, we want to be bold, we want to be factual. We want to work diligently so that people will also say good things about us.
” We want all the young people she has trained in one way or the other to know that they can be better than her wherever and however they find themselves,” he said.
Speaking, Director General, Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation, Chief Obinna Nwaka, urged government officials to prioritise national interests over personal gains.
Nwaka emphasised the need for selflessness in public service adding that the retirement dinner was to recognise her exemplary service and inspiration to others.
“Hajiya’s dedication and detribalised approach set a standard for leaders,. We celebrate her to encourage others to emulate her exemplary service,” he said.
Nwaka appealed to the Federal Government to consider re-engaging the retired NYSC Director, citing her expertise and passion for nation-building.
In her goodwill message, Dr Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) congratulated the retired NYSC Director.
Umobong encouraged the retiree to continue offering her services to the country, leveraging her experience and skills for the nation’s progress.
She described her as a “jewel to the nation” and an “icon adding that her remarkable’s dedication to NYSC had left an indelible mark.
She acknowledged the rarity of Nigerian youth coming together to recognise someone’s contributions while attributing this to her exceptional character as a detribalised Nigerian.
“This is to celebrate an icon. That’s what I will call her. A jewel to the nation. It’s not all the time that you see Nigerian youth gather together to celebrate somebody’s exit from the public service.
“It says a lot about the kind of person that she is, a very detribalised Nigerian. So we are just here to celebrate her and to also tell her that we appreciate everything that she did in NYSC”she said.
Also, the new NYSC Director of Mobilisation, Mr Abubakar Muhammed described the retiree as a “sister” and an exceptional individual.
Muhammed encouraged her to explore new opportunities reminding her that life after service was full of possibilities.
“We will miss her but we are happy she completed her service in good health. She has left service but she is not tired. She can still venture into easy politics or do international businesses,” he encouraged.
Reacting, the retired NYSC Director highlighted the importance of empathy and understanding in working with young people.
Hajiya Isa emphasised that challenges were inevitable but could be overcome with experience and faith.
“Behaving like youth myself helped me connect with them, understand their needs and listen to their concerns.
” I leave everything in God’s hands and commit to giving my best wherever I serve. Youth need to know that there is no shortcut to success, take the long route, and you’ll surely get there,” she advised. (NAN)
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In a powerful display of compassion and community spirit, Honourable Larai Sylvia Ishaku, Executive Chairperson of Jaba Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State, spearheaded the distribution of rice to residents across all 10 electoral wards for Easter Celebration.
The well-organised event took place at the H.R.H Danladi Gyet Maude Secretariat at Kwoi, where crowds of grateful beneficiaries gathered to receive vital support from Hon. Laria Sylvia Ishaku.
Also in attendance were Hon. Mustapha Danladi Babaladi, the Executive Vice Chairman of Jaba LGA, and Comrade Abashiya Sahjury, Chief of Staff to Hon. Laria and other key political Leaders, which demonstrate strong leadership presence and a united front in delivering relief to the people.
The rice distribution reached a broad section of society, including former unit executives, recent political decampers, market women and traders, healthcare personnel, Okada riders (commercial motorcyclists), people living with disabilities, security personnel, and representatives from religious and community-based organisations such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and others.
During her speech, Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku reaffirmed that the initiative was part of the broader support structure provided by Governor Uba Sani and All Progressives Congress (APC) for the people of Jaba LGA in Kaduna State.
She emphasised that her administration’s intention is to continue delivering practical benefits and genuine support to the masses (grassroots). “We are committed to ensuring every resident of Jaba LGA experiences the dividends of good governance. By the end of 2026 and beyond, no one will be left out,” she assured.
“Easter symbolises love, sacrifice and the joy of giving, such effort is a way of saying thank to you people while fostering peace and unity within our communities in Jaba LGA.”
Addressing the political atmosphere, Hon. Ishaku urged residents to stay vigilant and not fall prey to deceptive political tactics. “Be cautious of those who seek to mislead you for selfish political gain. Where were they when they held power? They forgot you,” she declared boldly.
In appreciation for the gesture, One of the beneficiary, Mr. Dennis Iliya, expressed deep thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries. “We thank the APC government for standing by the people of Jaba. May the Lord Almighty reward the kindness shown by Governor Sani and Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku. Their kindness has brought relief during these difficult times. May God continue to bless them and the APC leadership,” he stated joyfully.
Joseph Tegbe, director-general (DG) of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), says Nigeria will soon sign a deal on ‘Digital RMB’ with China to enable a direct conversion of naira to Chinese Yuan.
The digital renminbi (RMB) is a central bank digital currency issued by China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China.
Speaking at the digital asset markets strategy masterclass series held recently in Lagos, Tegbe said the agreement is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on the United States dollar.
He described the pact as a major step in Nigeria’s transition from a trade relationship with China to a mutually-beneficial development partnership.
The NCSP DG also said Nigeria has secured over $30 billion in investment commitments and 300 expressions of interest from Chinese companies within the last five months.
Tegbe also noted the importance of leveraging Chinese technology, particularly in the digital asset market and knowledge transfer, adding that the NCSP remains committed to supporting the globalisation of Nigeria’s capital market.
The director-general outlined the objectives of the partnership, which include driving infrastructure development, scaling up Chinese investments, strengthening trade and economic ties, promoting transparency, and advancing cultural exchange between both countries.
Also speaking at the event, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the state is developing a securitisation policy to monetise idle assets and raise green bonds to fund infrastructure needs.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Abayomi Oluyomi, the commissioner for finance, said Lagos will become the first sub-national in the country to implement such a policy.
In his remarks, Nicholas Okoye, convener of the masterclass and a global investment advisor, said the digital transformation ushered in by the fourth industrial revolution has impacted all sectors and will open new frontiers of wealth for investors, institutions, nations, and sub-nationals.
“The most strategic ecosystem of this digital transformation has got to be ‘Digital Asset Markets’, which includes investment in cryptocurrencies as well as the tokenisation (digitisation) of traditional asset classes,” Okoye said.
“The proposed full adoption of ‘Digital Asset Markets’ in Nigeria’s capital markets and subsequently across Africa is going to be a game changer for wealth creation and economic growth sustainability.
“In addition, it will completely redefine the future of African finance, investment and capital market industries.”
Okoye said the digital assets present a unique opportunity for Africans to build wealth regardless of location or profession, providing for the first time, an accurate reflection of Nigeria and Africa’s true wealth position.
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
Making the event that marked the Nigeria Union of Journalists at 70, the Taraba State chapter of the NUJ Honour chief David Sabo Kente as the philanthropist man of the year
The award presentation was held in Jalingo, the state capital, at the grand finale of the NUJ Press Week celebration.
Speaking at the ceremony, the state chairman of NUJ, Mr Eliud Jen, noted that the awards were carefully chosen base on concrete evidence of performance in various categories and meant to spur the awardees to do more.
Chief Kente, who was the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress APC, in 2023, has used his foundation, The DSK foundation, to help thousands of Taraban through scholarship, Small Medium Enterprises and lot more.
While congratulating the union for attaining 70 years, Kente called on government investors and everyone to give the union a support hand to enable its members to continue discharging their duties effectively.
Others who were awarded for outstanding performance are His Excellency Dr, Agbu Kefas the governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Yakubu Jafaru Chiroma, member representing Bali/Gassol Federal constituency, Dr Aisha Adamu, the CMD of Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, Hon. Aminu Hassan, ALGON chairman in the State, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini, former Speaker of Taraba State and Professor Sunday Bako, Vice Chancellor Taraba State University Jalingo, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development Mrs Mary Sinjen, Commandant 6 Brigade Jalingo Gen. Kinsley Uwa and several others were also given recognition as friends of the press.
Kente further appreciated journalists for finding him worthy to be honour, emphasizing that the award will spur him to do more.