Category Nigeria News

100, 000 construction artisans in Nigeria have already received training, certification, and job placement thanks to the Federal Government.

As authorized by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, Polaris Capital Limited will implement the training in partnership.

Federal funding for the three-year initiative will be matched by donor contributions, private sector investment, and donor contributions. Additionally, it includes a digital booking and verification system that will help the program stay in operation after the MoU period while connecting artisans directly to employment opportunities.

The Permanent Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, &nbsp, and Vihishima, the Ministry’s representative, officially signed the MoU at the conclusion of the signing ceremony.

The development marked the start of a national initiative to close skills gaps in the housing and construction industries, according to a statement from the Ministry.

Belgore noted that the initiative aims to modernize Nigeria’s construction workforce.

He emphasized that the program would increase technical skills, foster employment for young people and artisans, and foster inclusivity by involving women, youth, and people with disabilities.

The program includes trades such as plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry, painting, welding, tiling, POP and screeding, upholstery, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

At the time of reporting, neither the pilot’s starting and destination have been specified.

The National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP) is being officially launched by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Polaris Capital Limited (FMLUD) on September 2, 2025.

The statement read in part as “NASAP is a nationwide intervention program designed to train, certify, and digitally connect 100, 000 artisans in priority construction trades to job opportunities across Nigeria.

READ MORE: FG Creating Enabling Environment To Generate Over 50 Million Jobs — BPE

Kelvin Vihishima, the CEO of Polaris Capital Limited, described the partnership as a crucial step in the direction of reviving the housing sector and reducing unemployment. He cited the need for training and certification to combat quackery in the construction industry and provide skilled labor all over the country.

The pact, which is based on accountability and long-term economic impact, is emphasized in the statement. It also reflects the Ministry’s commitment to developing skills, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable urban growth.

The National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP) pilot program was announced in June that the Federal Government would use the Ministry to do so in 2025.

In order to cover 10 highly sought-after construction trades, the pilot aimed to train 3, 000 artisans over the course of six months of intensive instruction spread out across three distinct states. The initiative aims to improve housing quality, improve the quality of housing, and address the lack of skilled labor in the construction industry. It also aims to provide practical, market-ready skills to Nigerian youth.

In order to prepare journalists for reporting stories involving children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information held a two-day regional workshop in Kano.

Participants from Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were a part of the workshop, which started on Monday.

Rahama Muhammad, UNICEF’s Kano Field Office’s head, referred to ethical reporting on children as “a vital service to democracy and the community,” stressing that journalists must place a value on children’s welfare over sensationalism in their keynote address.

According to Muhammad, “ethical journalism strengthens social cohesion, protects the vulnerable, and fosters trust.”

An ethical story defends a child’s right to a future free from shame and harm, according to the statement “A sensational headline about a child might sell newspapers.”

Read more about the two media houses and the 65 journalists who were attacked in nine months, according to IPC.

He warned against publishing the names, photos, or other identifying details of children who had been victims of violence, conflict, or abuse, as these actions could re-traumatize victims, stigmatize families, and harm children for a long time.

He also urged journalists to support ongoing efforts to uphold child’s rights, warning that those who distribute harmful online content could face legal action.

In the same vein, the Federal Ministry of Information’s Head of the Child Rights International Bureau (CRIB) advised participants to strike a balance between compelling storytelling and the highest standards of journalistic integrity.

You play a crucial role in influencing decisions that affect children, according to Falayi, and you have a crucial role in protecting children’s rights.

“This training provides an opportunity to learn more about Nigeria’s children’s specific vulnerabilities, ethical principles, and child protection laws.”

He acknowledged the contributions of Nigerian media professionals and child rights advocates from all over the country. He also noted that while progress has been made in highlighting child-related issues, much more needs to be done to ensure that young people in Nigeria grow up in a safe and honorable environment.

Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, cried out on Tuesday to denounce the insecurity in Nigeria and accuse the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the crisis as a political tool.

Baba-Ahmed, who was a guest on Tuesday’s Politics Today episode of Channels Television, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident.

“Do not believe me, I’m in so much pain. We have people destroying us every hour because Nigeria is a great nation and ought to be a great nation. Nasiru [El-Rufai] is correct in saying that insecurity has been present in the APC game.

They have been paid by the government. In my sincere, steadfast opinion that insecurity has been a part of APC’s strategy of holding onto onto power has been strengthened by the disparaging remarks made by Nasiru, “he alleged.

Read more about El-Rufai’s accusations of paying a FG to bandits, including Datti Baba-Ahmed, in the READ ALSO.

El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, made it clear that Baba-Ahmed cannot accept responsibility for his [El-Rufai’s] claim that the government was “empowering and paying bandits.”

Watch his interview at  .

With a pledge to use advanced military equipment and surveillance devices to combat banditry, President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate review of security operations in Katsina State.

The president made the statement while addressing a delegation of top Katsina citizens led by Governor Dikko Radda at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

Tinubu defended the country’s security challenges as being manageable, adding that the Federal Government is considering establishing state police and upgrading forest guards to improve local security.

Tinubu emphasized the need for security personnel who are knowledgeable about the state’s security operations and the local environment.

“We can overcome the security challenges that we face,” he said. I’ve instructed all security agencies to work up more energy and examine the strategies I just released. The President stated that the additional drone acquisition has been approved.

He continued, noting that his administration would consider creating state police in its entirety and was reviewing every aspect of security.

Farouk Aliyu, the head of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA, not to be drawn into the discussions between Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, and Datti Baba-Ahmed, the party’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, over how the country handled insecurity.

“Let me beg my brother, Nuhu Ribadu, not to join conflicts with Datti Baba-Ahmed or Nasiru El-Rufai, let me use this opportunity to beg him.” No.

He shouldn’t speak because he is beyond that. Aliyu said on Tuesday’s episode of Channels Television’s Politics Today show that he should allow other people to discuss it because they are discussing politics.

The former House of Representatives Minority Leader cautioned against politicising the issue, but acknowledged that insecurity still poses a national challenge.

“The same El-Rufai spoke about insecurity and politics when he first spoke.” Yes, there are insecurity issues in this country, and this government is taking steps. How is it possible to serve in power while allowing the destabilization of yours? He continued.

Read more about Baba-Ahmed’s “Cannot Run Away” and El-Rufai’s “Payment Of Bandits” from APC From Inception.

Aliyu criticized El-Rufai’s earlier remark that “killing them all,” and that such assertions were ineffective.

He served as governor for eight years. What is better in terms of insecurity, El-Rufai’s governorship of Kaduna or what has it been these two years? He chose not to execute everyone, which was his plan. Sadly, today’s government does not negotiate with terrorists.

Baba-Ahmed Blames El-Rufai, APC, in a sense of insecurity

Datti Baba-Ahmed, who appeared on the same program, criticised El-Rufai’s recent claim that the government was paying bandits, arguing that the former governor had no right to release himself from responsibility.

El-Rufai is a member of it, so he can’t run away. Nasiru’s claim that he was a part of the APC from 2013 is what I find repulsive. He was one of the architects of it all, he claimed to you.

He “wants] to come and absolve himself all of a sudden,” he said, “no, not at all. Nasiru is essential to everything that has been happening. Baba-Ahmed claimed that Nasiru’s mismanagement in Zaria caused us to suffer and to be victims.

The Kaduna-born politician urged the NSA to consider El-Rufai’s statement.

Nuhu Ribadu was never a policeman, he is not a qualified lawyer, according to Baba-Ahmed, adding that El-Rufai should be “writing some statements to the police, to the courts.”

El-Rufai’s Critique of the Kaduna government and the FG

El-Rufai claimed in an interview on Sunday Politics that both the Federal and Kaduna State governments were “empowering bandits” by providing them with food and subsidies in the name of non-kinetic measures.

“I won’t pay bandits, give them a monthly allowance, or send them food in the name of non-kinetic,” I say. The former FCT minister claimed that we are empowering bandits. “It’s nonsense.

He continued, “The only repentant bandit is a dead one,” keeping his position in tact. Kill everyone, please. Let’s bomb them until they are completely destroyed before the remaining 5% who still want to be rehabilitated can be rehabilitated.

Government of FG and Kaduna government rejects claim

El-Rufai’s claims have been dismissed by the Federal Government, who has characterized them as being unsupported.

The ONSA, or any other branch of government under this administration, has never engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals, according to Zakari Mijinyawa’s signature for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Major General Emeka Onumajuru, the military’s head of defense operations, reiterated this on a similar note.

He instead cited Operation Safe Corridor’s already-existing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program.

El-Rufai’s comments were also condemned by the Kaduna State Government as “calculated, malicious lies designed to undermine security efforts, incite public anger, and legitimise criminality.”

Suleiman Shuaibu, the country’s commissioner for internal security, warned that Kaduna State would not tolerate attempts to stifle peace.

El-Rufai claimed that security forces were behind the “greasing the palms” of criminal organizations and that the ONSA was politicizing national security in a post on his social media accounts.

Andy Odeh and Morenike Adewunmi have been appointed as the chief communications and chief relations officers by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Femi Soneye’s resignation as NNPC’s spokesperson two months after Odeh’s appointment was announced.

Morenike Adewunmi was appointed as the country’s chief relations officer in a statement released on Tuesday.

Odeh, who works in the oil and gas, advertising, and broadcasting sectors, has more than 30 years of combined experience in communications and business administration.

He worked for Nigeria LNG (NLNG) for 26 years before joining the NNPC.

READ ALSO: Customs Appoints Four DCGs and Twelve ACGs, Promotes Over 3, 000 Senior Officers, and Promotes Four ACGs

He also held a number of leadership positions, including general manager of external relations and sustainable development, business relations and development, business logistics and services, information management and technology, corporate communications and public affairs, government relations and regulatory compliance, and more recently.

“He is renowned for his contributions to significant brand advertising and public relations campaigns. He successfully led the rebranding of the business at NLNG and implemented one of the best-run micro-credit programs in host communities in Nigeria.

The NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting was also spearheaded by Mr. Odeh. He graduated from among others the University of Jos, the University of Lagos, INSEAD Business School, and the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

Adewunmi, a lawyer with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, is described by the NNPC as a legal professional.

According to the oil company, “her expertise is in stakeholder management and advocacy, particularly given her extensive tenure at the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN).”