…As Commission announces plans for entrepreneurial development centres across North Central, FCT

…NANS Zone C applauds Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks partnership on student empowerment

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Nigerian students to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and economic productivity, declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for youth development must translate into practical opportunities that enable young people to turn their ideas into viable enterprises.

The Commission also assured students across the North Central region of their inclusion in its development programmes, disclosing that sufficient funds had been set aside in its budget to support entrepreneurship training and related interventions.

Speaking at the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone C Summit, Comrade Solomon Adodo, Board Member representing the FCT on the NCDC Board, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, said the Commission was determined to ensure that the creativity and innovative ideas of students were given the necessary support to translate into productivity.

The summit, which took place in Kwara State on Saturday, brought together student representatives from the six states of the North Central region and the FCT.

Adodo commended President Tinubu for establishing the regional development commissions, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention to address developmental challenges, strengthen regional growth and ensure that government programmes deliver tangible benefits at the grassroots.

He said the President’s vision for youth development recognises the enormous potential of Nigerian students and the need to create an enabling environment for their creativity, innovation and productive capacities to thrive.

According to him, the NCDC considers education a critical foundation for regional development and is committed to ensuring that students are carried along in the implementation of the President’s development agenda.

Referencing an essay titled Good Intentions Are Not Enough, Adodo stressed that good intentions must be supported by practical action and meaningful collaboration to achieve lasting results.

He said the Commission was determined to establish a stronger partnership with the student community to ensure that innovative ideas are nurtured and translated into productive ventures.

“It is time for us to reverse the old pattern and embrace a new order, to ensure that the innovations of students are not left to rot, but are given wings to fly and ascend from mere potential to productivity,” he said.

Adodo disclosed that sufficient funds had been set aside in the Commission’s budget to support entrepreneurship training and other interventions aimed at strengthening the economic capacity of young people.

He further revealed that the Commission was making plans to establish entrepreneurial development centres across the six states of the North Central region and the FCT to provide students and other young people with opportunities to acquire relevant skills, develop innovative ideas and build sustainable enterprises.

He encouraged students to look beyond academic qualifications and embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and wealth creation, stressing that Nigeria must transition towards a productive economy in which young people are not only equipped to seek employment but also empowered to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

He noted that President Tinubu’s aspiration to build a productive Nigeria requires deliberate investment in the capabilities of young people, adding that the country must strengthen its capacity to produce goods and services for domestic consumption and export.

The NCDC Board Member further assured students that the Commission would maintain an open-door policy and work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that their needs and aspirations are reflected in its interventions.

He explained that the Commission has representation from each state in the region, providing an avenue for engagement, interaction and the identification of development priorities.

“The gates and doors of the North Central Development Commission are open to you. Our duty is not to isolate ourselves from you, but to interact with you and ensure that all your needs are met,” he said.

Meanwhile, NANS Zone C has applauded the student-focused initiatives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as encouraging steps towards youth empowerment, economic inclusion and sustainable opportunities for Nigerian students.

The association also announced plans to seek a strategic partnership with the NCDC to establish a regional skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme for students across the North Central region.

Speaking on the proposed initiative, the Zone C Coordinator, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde Adigun, emphasised the importance of investing in students’ skills and entrepreneurial capacities as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and regional development.

The proposed programme is expected to cover Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the FCT, with a focus on digital, vocational and technical skills, business development, mentorship and entrepreneurship training.

NANS Zone C said it would engage the Commission’s leadership to discuss the proposed collaboration, develop an implementation framework and identify areas of mutual interest in advancing student empowerment across the region.

The association expressed optimism that a strategic partnership with the NCDC, alongside sustained government interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda, would create opportunities for students to become skilled professionals, innovative entrepreneurs and active contributors to Nigeria’s economic development.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chancellor of Achievers University, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform initiatives in the education and security sectors, urging Nigerians to unite behind efforts aimed at driving sustainable development and national renewal.
Dogara made the call while delivering the Convocation Address at the 16th Convocation Ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, where he spoke on the theme, “Rethinking National Security for Sustainable Peace, Development and National Renewal.”
The former Speaker described education and security as critical foundations for nation-building, noting that the Tinubu administration has taken important steps to expand educational opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
He particularly praised the Federal Government’s Student Loan Programme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the initiative has provided thousands of Nigerian youths with access to higher education regardless of their financial circumstances.
According to Dogara, investing in education remains one of the most effective strategies for empowering young people and preparing them to contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.
He also applauded government efforts aimed at improving the welfare of university lecturers, describing quality education as indispensable to the country’s progress and future competitiveness.
Speaking on security, Dogara said no nation can achieve meaningful economic development without guaranteeing the safety of lives and property. He emphasized that security remains the foundation upon which investment, agriculture, commerce and social stability thrive.
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a challenge, he commended the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping through enhanced military operations, intelligence-driven interventions and strengthened coordination among security agencies.
He noted that recent measures, including the expansion of security personnel recruitment and efforts to secure forested and rural communities, demonstrate government’s determination to create safer environments for citizens and businesses.
Dogara urged Nigerians to support these efforts through active citizenship, community cooperation and a shared commitment to national unity.
“Government alone cannot achieve lasting security and development. Every citizen has a role to play in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria,” he said.
The former Speaker stressed that national development requires collaboration among government, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, the private sector and civil society groups.
As Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited, Dogara also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment where businesses can access opportunities, investments can flourish and entrepreneurs can contribute to economic expansion and job creation.
He noted that sustainable economic growth depends largely on peace, stability and confidence in public institutions.
Addressing the graduating students, Dogara challenged them to become agents of positive change by applying their knowledge, skills and talents toward solving societal problems and advancing national development.
He urged the graduates to embrace integrity, innovation and service as they embark on the next phase of their lives.
“If you become a lawyer, serve justice. If you become a doctor, serve life. If you become an engineer, build what our country needs. If you become an entrepreneur, create opportunities and jobs for others,” he said.
The former Speaker expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, describing the country as a resilient nation blessed with abundant human and natural resources capable of achieving greater heights through visionary leadership and collective effort.
He called on citizens to remain hopeful and support ongoing reforms designed to strengthen institutions, expand opportunities and improve the welfare of the people.
Dogara concluded by congratulating the graduating students and encouraging them to use their education as a tool for service, leadership and national transformation.
The convocation ceremony attracted members of the university’s Governing Council, management, staff, alumni, parents and other dignitaries who gathered to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class and reaffirm Achievers University’s commitment to producing future leaders for Nigeria and beyond.

A civil society organisation, Citizens for Good Governance, Rule of Law & Anti-Corruption Initiative, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to GUO Logistics, demanding immediate engagement with the families of victims of a fatal road accident that reportedly claimed five lives and left several others critically injured.

The organisation, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Comr. Danesi Momoh Prince, expressed sorrow and outrage over the accident, which occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on August 28, 2026, involving a Toyota Hiace bus conveying more than 23 passengers from Gombe State to Lagos State.

According to the statement, the accident occurred after a truck reportedly belonging to GUO Logistics rammed into the passenger bus, resulting in the deaths of five persons, including students travelling to Lagos for their mandatory industrial training.

The deceased were identified as Isiyaku Sa’idu, Maigana Mohammed, popularly known as Abbati, Anas Abubakar, reportedly the driver of the bus, Zaiyanu Bajoga and Abubakar Ibrahim.

Describing the incident as devastating, the organisation said the victims were Nigerians pursuing education, employment and better opportunities, adding that the tragedy had cut short the dreams and aspirations of the deceased while leaving other passengers fighting for survival.

It called on GUO Logistics to demonstrate genuine concern for the victims and their families, warning that corporate reputation must not take precedence over human lives.

The group also expressed concern over allegations that efforts were being made to protect the company’s public image rather than adequately address the suffering of the victims and their families.
It consequently demanded that the management of GUO Logistics, within 72 hours, establish immediate contact with the families of the deceased and injured passengers through available passenger manifests, booking records and other travel documentation.

Other demands include urgent assistance for survivors, engagement with medical facilities to address their healthcare needs, and discussions with bereaved families on appropriate support and compensation in accordance with applicable laws and the outcome of investigations.

The organisation further demanded a public statement from the company outlining the steps being taken to address the incident, including an official communication channel through which affected families could seek assistance.

It also urged GUO Logistics to cooperate fully with relevant authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and ensure that all applicable legal responsibilities were addressed.

Clarifying the purpose of the ultimatum, the group said it was demanding immediate engagement and demonstrable humanitarian support, not the conclusion of a comprehensive accident investigation within three days.

The organisation warned that failure by the company to demonstrate meaningful engagement within the stipulated period could trigger nationwide mass picketing of its offices and operational facilities.

It said it would consider mobilising concerned citizens and relevant stakeholders for peaceful and lawful protests at GUO offices across the country, subject to applicable legal requirements.

The group also threatened to petition relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities to ensure that the incident received the necessary attention.

While acknowledging that the precise circumstances of the accident and legal responsibility must be established through a thorough investigation, the organisation maintained that immediate humanitarian assistance to the survivors and their families should not be delayed.

It called on relevant government authorities, civil society organisations, student bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts to secure assistance for the injured and accountability for the lives lost.

The statement reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to monitoring developments and engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure that the victims and their families were not forgotten.

“Our position is unequivocal: human lives must never be sacrificed at the altar of corporate reputation. The dead deserve dignity, the injured deserve urgent assistance, and the bereaved families deserve answers,” the statement said.