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Nigeria Sets To Harness Youth’s Potential To Thrive In Digital Economy: Ministry

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Digital Economy

Nigeria Sets To Harness Youth’s Potential To Thrive In Digital Economy: Ministry

Nigeria Sets to harness youth’s potential to thrive in digital economy: Ministry. Technical Adviser to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Francis Sani, has said Nigeria is ready to thrive in the digital economy.

This he said was possible by leveraging its youth and global demand for digital skills.

Mr Sani, also Programme Director of 3MTT Nigeria, spoke at the launch of Darey.io and Xterns.ai, their new tech hub. The event, held Saturday in Lagos, had the theme: “Tech and Tea: Brewing Nigeria’s Technology Innovation Future.’’

Highlighting the role of digital skills, Mr Sani said they were crucial for economic growth, enabling Nigeria to tap into the global outsourcing market.
He stressed the ministry’s aim was to ensure every Nigerian could access technical training, regardless of financial or geographical barriers.

According to him, the partnership with Darey.io would provide practical, AI-driven, project-based learning to enhance training quality and effectiveness.

He explained that the ministry’s approach centres on five pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, and trade, to spur national development.

Mr Sani also highlighted Nigeria’s large youth population as a major advantage in the global digital economy.

He said the ministry was creating an environment to attract tech companies to Nigeria, generating jobs for young people.

Discussing AI’s economic impact, he said it would transform work and value creation, urging Nigeria to position itself for the changes.

Founder and CEO of Darey.io, Dare Oluwafunmilayo, outlined plans to bridge gaps in Nigeria’s digital economy through partnerships and infrastructure development.
Mr Olufunmilayo said their tech hub aimed to create a collaborative space where young people could learn and develop essential digital skills.

He said, “Our aim is to offer young people a platform to gain skills, network with professionals, and build a pipeline of talent for the digital economy.’’

Speaking on their 3MTT partnership, he said the goal was to train three million technical talents using digital tools to track progress and provide career metrics.
Mr Olufunmilayo noted that over 5,000 people had been trained in four and a half years, with 100,000 more currently enrolled through the 3MTT programme.

He noted the education offered was free due to 3MTT support, underlining the importance of public-private collaboration for economic advancement.

He also emphasised soft skills, stating technical expertise alone does not ensure employment; communication and teamwork are equally vital.
Mr Olufunmilayo said the hub fosters collaboration and innovation, with professionals delivering training to enhance learning experiences.

Digital Economy

Digital Economy, Ministry of communication

To further empower youth, he announced the launch of the Dare Olufunmilayo Human Capital Foundation.

“The foundation aims to partner with organisations to provide laptops and stipends, supporting talented individuals and encouraging economic growth,” he said.
Regarding certification, he said training would be recognised by platforms such as Microsoft, AWS, and Google.

He added that Darey.io would also issue its own in-house certifications for trainees.

Economy

NIPSS Inaugurates 97 New Participants As Members Of SEC 47

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NIPSS

NIPSS Inaugurates 97 New Participants As Members Of SEC 47

NIPSS inaugurates 97 new participants as members of SEC 47. The vice president further said that the nation could unlock its oceans’ full potential through research, dialogue, and collaboration.

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has inaugurated 97 participants as members of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47.

Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the participants on Monday in Jos.

The vice president, represented by Josephine Piyo, the deputy governor of Plateau, congratulated the participants for their nomination as participants for the course.

Mr Shettima, who described their research theme “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities” as timely, called on them to provide solutions to the challenges currently facing the nation.

“As you embark on this new chapter of exploration and learning, you are reminded of the critical importance of sustainable development and the preservation of our oceans and marine resources.

The blue economy represents a vast and untapped potential for economic growth, innovation, and environmental conservation.

“It encompasses a wide range of activities, from fisheries and aquaculture to marine tourism and renewable energy.

By harnessing the resources of our oceans responsibly and sustainably, we will create new opportunities for prosperity while safeguarding the health of our marine ecosystems.

“As scholars and policymakers, it is our collective responsibility to delve deep into the complexities of the blue economy, to understand its challenges and opportunities, and to develop strategies that promote inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said.

The vice president further said that through research, dialogue, and collaboration, the nation could unlock the full potential of its oceans and ensure a prosperous future for future generations.
“This induction marks the beginning of a rigorous academic inquiry, thoughtful analysis, and informed policy recommendations.

“It is a testament to our nation’s commitment to excellence and dedication to shaping a better Nigeria through knowledge and expertise.

NIPSS

NIPSS

“I urge you to approach this study topic with curiosity, passion, and a sense of purpose. I urge you to engage in meaningful discussions and strive for innovative solutions that will drive positive change in our country,” Mr Shettima urged.

Earlier, Ayo Omotayo, the institute’s director general, also congratulated the participants on their formal induction into the institute.

Mr Omotayo said participants would undergo rigorous academic sessions and other activities for the next 10 months.

He promised that the institute would continually provide policies that would shape the growth and development of the nation.

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Economy

Fire Destroys Benue Rice Mill Market, Property Worth Millions

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Benue Rice Mill Market

Fire Destroys Benue Rice Mill Market, Property Worth Millions

Fire destroys Benue rice mill market, property worth millions. A devastating fire has destroyed properties worth millions of naira at the popular rice mill market in Wurukum, near the River Benue bridge in Makurdi.

The blaze erupted in the early hours of Monday, but swift intervention by firefighters prevented it from spreading further.

However, several shops were severely affected, with processed and unprocessed rice, milling machines, and other goods completely destroyed.

One of the victims, Mercy Hanmaikyur, lamented losing about N10 million in the fire. “I opened this shop in December, investing N10 million.

I had three machines—a de-stoning machine, a rice polishing machine—and many bags of rice. Everything was lost,” she said.

Another trader, Iorwa Jeremiah, said the fire broke out at a time when no one could salvage anything. “By the time I got there, firefighters and shop owners were battling the flames, but the damage had already been done,” he recounted.

Benue Rice Mill Market

Benue Rice Mill Market

Market Chairman Terva Igyar confirmed that several shops, a motorcycle, and six milling machines were destroyed.

He noted that Makurdi Local Government officials and other stakeholders had promised to assess the damage.

The traders ruled out electricity as the cause of the fire, stating their shops had no power supply.

They have appealed to Governor Hyacinth Alia for assistance to help them recover from their losses.

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Economy

Benue Government Partners FACAN On pricing Of Agric Commodities: Food Security

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Government Partners FACAN

Benue Government Partners FACAN On pricing Of Agric Commodities: Food Security

Benue government partners FACAN on pricing of agric commodities to tackle food security . FACAN state coordinator Vitalis Tarnongu said Benue farmers were ready to partner with the government in the regulation of prices.

The Benue State government is partnering with the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) on the pricing of agricultural commodities in the state.

Donald Akule, managing director and chief executive officer of Agricultural Development Company (ADC), disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi, saying the partnership would enhance food security.

Mr Akule restated the state government’s willingness to work with FACAN to mediate between the farmers and the government on the prices of commodities.

The MD said the aim was to ensure that all farmers get value for their produce and food availability.

“We have declared a state of emergency on food insecurity. We want to make sure that every farmer gets value for what they produce.

“In the coming days, we are going to roll out a template of how this produce can be bought or mopped by the ADC and to make sure that we fill up our silos and food banks,” he said.

Mr Akule advised farmers to form cooperatives or groups for easy transactions, adding that the government would not work with individual farmers.

“Agriculture business is a collective business; it is a collaborative business. We are going to liaise with FACAN to make sure that we regulate the prices of grains.
“We will not recognise any person that is working in isolation. Any farmer that is not part of an organised working group would not be accepted,” he said.

FACAN state coordinator Vitalis Tarnongu said Benue farmers were ready to partner with the government in the regulation of prices to enable them to get value for their produce.

Government Partners FACAN

Government Partners FACAN

Mr Tarnongu said their mandate was to ensure the prices of commodities are set in such a way that both farmers and the government make gains.

The new state coordinator assured the government of FACAN’s commitment with ADC to boost agricultural production.
“We are ready to work closely with ADC to ensure food sufficiency.

“We solicit your support and cooperation for the association to succeed in its assignment,” he added.

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