Nigeria holds youth summit on national security after protests

The United Nations and Nigerian police Monday held a youth summit in the capital to commemorate International Youth Day and discuss the role of youths in national security intelligence.

The summit came days after Nigerian youths led nationwide protests calling for a reversal of government policies that they say cause severe hardships.

More than 400 delegates - including government officials, security agencies and youth representatives - cheered as the Nigerian police chief, Kayode Egbetokun, took the stage at the summit.

The one-day event with the theme "Enhancing the Nigerian Youth's Value for National Security Intelligence" was a partnership between the police and UNESCO and was part of the International Youth Day commemoration.

Authorities said the summit was designed to examine the role of youths in national security matters and create room to enhance youth participation.

"Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to our youths," Egbetokun told the gathering. "Together we must pledge to support, empower and create a brighter future for all. The task before us is indeed significant, but I am confident that with the collective strength, creativity and enthusiasm of our youth, coupled with the support of our partners, we'll rise up to the challenge and make a meaningful impact."

The summit featured interactive sessions between the police and youths on crime prevention, conflict resolution, social media and community engagement.

The summit followed recent protests in several cities, by mostly young people, over the spiraling cost of living.

The "Ten Days of Rage" protests began on August 1. Protesters blame Nigeria's worsening economic situation on government policies, including the scrapping of fuel subsidies introduced last year.

At the summit, police authorities said that while the protesters might have had good intentions, the protests gave rise to criminal elements with ulterior motives.

Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, president of UNESCO's Read and Earn Federation, said Nigeria's youth are a valuable asset.

“Our focus today is on youths recognizing themselves as change agents," he said. "It is imperative that our young people understand their potential to influence and drive positive change. They are the ones who can bridge the gap between innovative approaches to national security because of their familiarity with technology, social media and contemporary communication tools. This will strategically lead to more effective community policing, improve intelligence gathering and enhance crisis response.”

The protests ebbed earlier than scheduled because of security crackdowns, but Amnesty International said at least 22 protesters were killed, mostly in northern Nigeria.

On Saturday, Nigeria's minister of industry, trade and investment, Doris Nkiruka, said the country lost about $325 million per day during the protests.

Olanrewaju Fagbohun, a former professor and the co-founder of the RouQ and Company law firm, delivered a keynote address during the summit.

"There's a trust gap in terms of security agencies and the youth," he said. "When that protest was brewing and when it eventually happened, there were two forces at play — those with genuine grievances who wanted the nation to listen to them, and there where those who had mischievous purposes who wanted to use it for other agenda, and that is why this kind of conversation is very important."

Authorities at the summit pledged to improve youth participation in national security matters.

By Timothy Obiezu, VOA 

Related story: As Nigerians marched against hunger, security forces responded with gunshots and force, killing 22

Video - Hundreds gather for sacred Osun-Osogbo festival in Nigeria

Africa has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, kept alive in many ways, including through events that have a place in the calendar due to their cultural vibrancy. In Nigeria, the Osun-Osogbo Festival is a major annual celebration that has been practiced for centuries.

CGTN

Related stories: Video - Calabar carnival in Nigeria defies financial woes

 

Briton killed in Nigeria hostage release

A British hostage was killed in a military operation in Nigeria on Wednesday which released six other hostages, the Italian foreign ministry said.

Two kidnappers were killed and one Italian hostage was gravely wounded in the operation conducted by the Nigerian army, the ministry said.

The seven oil workers were captured on a ship off the Nigerian coast.

Reuters 

Related story: Seven dead, 100 kidnapped after attack in northern Nigeria

 

Polish students held in Nigeria will return unharmed

Polish diplomat, and former ambassador to Zimbabwe and Malawi, Jan Wieliński has spoken to TVP World about the Polish students held captive in Nigeria, as well as Russia’s growing influence on the region.

Confirming that the students were safe and in good health, Wieliński said that they were currently under guard in a hotel in Abuja, the country’s capital, but that he fully expected their release in the imminent future.

“I think in the next couple of days, when the process of verification is completed, they will be released,” said Wieliński. Continuing, he said he did not envisage they, or their lecturer, to have met with any harm and fully anticipated their safe return to Poland.

The six students from the University of Warsaw and their lecturer were arrested in the northern city of Kano following mass demonstrations sparked by Nigeria’s economic crisis. Such gatherings have been banned and a curfew put in place as President Bola Tinubu seeks to quell the unrest.

“There was a curfew and they decided to go and photograph an anti-government demonstration with their phones,” said Wieliński, confirming that this was the reason for their detainment. “I don’t know whether it is true or not, but my source told me that the security forces have photographs which were taken by the students.”

However, Wieliński rejected the accusation that the students had been carrying Russian flags. “It’s simply impossible,” he said.

Nigeria has been plunged into chaos as a result of Tinubu’s painful macroeconomic reforms, but Wielińśki says that the country’s premier has had little choice given the direction he has been given by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

“They have had to cut oil and food subsidies, and many members of society are unhappy,” he said, “but in my opinion the Tinubu government have had no choice… It is the only way they can improve their economy.”

Questioned as to Russia’s looming shadow, Wieliński warned that Western aid had simply ceased being attractive to many African countries. This, he emphasized, was not due to the colonial past, but because of the Western tendency to attach political and humanitarian conditions to loans.

“We want to give the money loans, but in accordance with a certain pattern of observing human rights or introducing the democratic reforms,” said Wieliński. “Many African leaders, especially those who have military leaders, like in Mali or Niger, don’t like to be dictated... Russia and China, they don’t place conditions on loans.”

Yet while Russia continues to meddle in African affairs due to the vast natural resources on offer, Wieliński does not foresee Nigeria as being one of the nations to fall under its influence. “I don’t think President Tinubu will allow Russia to do anything more than act diplomatically and economically in Nigeria,” he said. “I don’t think we should be afraid that Nigeria will go Russian.” 

TVP WORLD

Related story: Nigeria arrests seven Polish nationals for raising Russian flags at protests

Newcastle signs 21-year-old Nigeria-eligible striker, Osula

English Premier League side, Newcastle United, have signed Nigeria-eligible forward, William Osula from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 21-year-old joins The Magpies after relegating with Sheffield United last season where he made 21 league appearances, averaging 38 minutes of football per game.

He signs for Eddie Howe’s side as they look to bolster their attack after dealing with multiple injuries to Aleksandar Isak and Callum Wilson last season.

Osula plays largely as a centre-forward, but can also play as a winger due to the blistering pace possesses. Speaking at his unveiling, he revealed how delighted he was to join the club.

“I’m very happy to be here. It’s a big club, a great club, so I’m very happy for the opportunity to join Newcastle United. It’s a great opportunity, and as soon as I heard about Newcastle’s interest, I knew I had to take the chance to join this club if it came. It has come, and I’m really happy to be here,” the Danish attacker said in quotes revealed by Newcastle’s website.

Osula was born in Denmark to a Danish mother and a Nigerian father and moved to England at a young age. He was called up to a training camp for the Denmark U19s in February 2022 and has gone on to make five appearances for their youth team since then. He is eligible to play for England and the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the future.

The Sun