Fifty youths have been trained in digital entrepreneurship and basic business skills as part of an initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical knowledge to establish and manage small-scale businesses.

The training, organised through a partnership between FARAMAZA Foundation and Brigade Zumunci Association, focused on developing the participants’ understanding of entrepreneurship, digital opportunities and basic business management.

The organisers said the programme was designed to provide participants with practical knowledge that could enable them to become more economically productive and pursue sustainable sources of livelihood.

At the end of the training, all 50 participants were presented with certificates of participation in recognition of their completion of the programme.

Speaking as chairperson of the event, Ambassador Nana Aisha said the partnership between FARAMAZA Foundation and Brigade Zumunci Association was established out of a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Ambassador Nana Aisha said the initiative was intended not only to provide participants with training but also to expose them to opportunities through which they could translate knowledge into practical economic activities.

She urged the beneficiaries to put the knowledge and skills acquired during the training into practice by establishing productive ventures capable of improving their livelihoods.

According to her, empowering young people with entrepreneurial and digital skills could also contribute to wider socioeconomic development by creating opportunities for self-employment and business growth.

The chairman of Brigade Zumunci Association, Professor Muhammed Atiku, pledged the association’s continued support for the younger generation, saying it would continue to explore initiatives aimed at helping youths achieve their aspirations.

Professor Atiku said the association recognised the importance of investing in young people through programmes that could provide them with relevant skills and opportunities to become productive members of society.

He added that the training represented the association’s first initiative of its kind and expressed the organisation’s commitment to building on the experience gained from the programme.

The participants, in their separate remarks, expressed appreciation to FARAMAZA Foundation and Brigade Zumunci Association for providing them with the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial skills.

They said the knowledge gained from the training would help them pursue their entrepreneurial goals and explore opportunities in the digital economy.

The organisers also pledged to provide start-up packages to beneficiaries in subsequent editions of the programme as part of efforts to help participants move from training to actual business activities.

The organisers said the provision of start-up support would complement the skills acquired during the training and give future beneficiaries a better opportunity to apply their knowledge in establishing small-scale businesses.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.

Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The 81st UNGA general debate will be held from September 22 to 28.

The theme of the UNGA is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

Mr Nkwocha said Mr Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the general debate.

He said the statement would outline Nigeria’s position and priorities on major global issues with implications for national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.

The presidential aide also said that Shettima would participate in high-level meetings during the UNGA week.

Mr Nkwocha added that VP Shettima’s engagements would focus on the right to development, climate action, and other issues of strategic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.

Similarly, he said Mr Shettima is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and participate in a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and international organisations, as well as development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

“The engagements will provide Nigeria an opportunity to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy, deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen the country’s voice on reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance and multilateral cooperation,” he said.

Mr Nkwocha said VP Shettima will return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in New York.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has reportedly died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77.

Reliable sources broke the shocking news of Idris’s death on Sunday; further details of his reported death were still being awaited as of press time.

Idris served as governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2008 and again from 2008 to 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Captain Idris Wada, in January 2012.

Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris began his education in Onitsha, Anambra State, before moving to Kano, where he completed his primary education.

He later attended King’s Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abuja.

Before venturing into politics, Idris was a businessman. He established Ibro Trading Company, with interests including construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.

He later established a furniture factory in Sokoto and the Ibro Hotel, described in available biographical records as the first three-star hotel in the old Sokoto State.

Idris emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State ahead of the 2003 election and defeated the incumbent governor, Prince Abubakar Audu.

He was sworn in as governor on May 29, 2003.

Idris was re-elected in 2007, but the election was later nullified following a legal challenge over the exclusion of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Abubakar Audu, from the poll.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election.

Idris subsequently contested the March 2008 re-run and was returned as governor. His victory was challenged by Audu, who alleged electoral irregularities.

Idris eventually completed his tenure in January 2012 and was succeeded by Wada.

The former governor also attracted national attention in 2006 when three of his daughters survived the ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash, which claimed numerous lives.

Following the incident, Idris described the survival of his daughters as a “superlative show of mercy” from God and called for thanksgiving.

In April 2024, Idris suffered the loss of his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala Federal Constituency of Kogi State. Mohammed died in Abuja shortly after observing Eid-el-Fitr prayers.