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TONY ELUMELU FOUNDATION MARKS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY EMPHASISING THE “YOUTH ENGAGEMENT FOR GLOBAL ACTION” AGENDA
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The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) joined the United Nations and other global organisations to mark the International Youth Day on August 12, 2020, with a line-up of pan-African speakers discussing the theme, “Investing in Africa’s Future: Youth Empowerment through Entrepreneurship”.
The event emphasised the “Youth Engagement for Global Action” agenda and the role of African entrepreneurs in pushing for sustainable development. It also examined the critical role of the youth in igniting their potential, population, and influence to create mechanisms for sustainable development across the continent.
Moderated by TEF CEO, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, the event featured a line-up of pan-African entrepreneurs and speakers from the development sector.
Addressing the audience, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu drew attention to the plight of startup African entrepreneurs during the pandemic while highlighting the importance of SMEs, especially during this period. “The SMEs are the major contributors to African economies. We must not underestimate the level of disruption and uncertainty that young people all over the world have faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.”
Ifeyinwa emphasized the need to empower the youth to tackle the menace of poverty on the continent.
Wambui Gichuri, Ag. VP Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, African Development Bank stated: “Entrepreneurship is an essential part of Africa’s employment challenge and it is where we have to put our focus as a multilateral development bank”.
She added: “We need to do whatever it takes to empower our youth because they are the future of the continent”.
Martha T.M. Phiri, PhD, Director, Human, Youth and Social Development, African Development Bank, stated that the $5million partnership between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation in 2019 to empower additional young African entrepreneurs, was a step in the right direction to create jobs on the continent. “That was a very exciting partnership and we feel this should be the way forward if we are going to create jobs on the continent,” she said.
Shoroke H. Zedan, Chairman, World Youth Skills, Egypt said: “It is important that governments start looking at entrepreneurship as a fundamental core topic that needs to be integrated into the educational system”.
Speaking on incorporating the youth into policymaking decisions, the Global President, AISEC, Alexandra Robinson stated: “I advocate for any policy that involves young people as co-owners of the policymaking process. I really believe that when young people are given co-ownership of the table, not just invited to someone else’s, they are able to have those meaningful conversations”.
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, Founder, Wecyclers Nigeria and past fellow of the Tony Elumelu Foundation recalled the moment when she got accepted into the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme: “In 2012, when I was invited to the Tony Elumelu Foundation to pitch my idea, I was very fortunate to pitch directly to Mr. Elumelu and I was surprised a couple of days after, we got the grant. That grant was very important for Wecyclers”.
Speaking as an entrepreneur doing business on the continent, Leroy Mwasaru, Founder, Greenpact Kenya and an alumnus of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s flagship Entrepreneurship Programme highlighted the need for transparency to attract more investors: “It is as a result of sharing what we have been doing that we hope there are less failures and more successes”.
Earlier in the year, due to the pandemic, the Tony Elumelu Foundation announced the postponement of its flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and TEF Forum, the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs on the continent. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary later in 2020, the Foundation counts over 9,000 young African countries across all 54 African countries as beneficiaries and alumni of its Entrepreneurship Programme. It continues to support African entrepreneurs with expert-led masterclasses, business management training and market linkages on its digital networking platform, TEFConnect.
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Update : Seyi Tinubu Responds to King Mitchy, VeryDarkMan Saga
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Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has issued a statement debunking allegations linking him to a feud between social media personalities Martins Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan, and Mitchell Mukoro, widely known as King Mitchy.
The controversy stems from claims suggesting an improper relationship or secret arrangements between Seyi Tinubu and King Mitchy, which VeryDarkMan has reportedly used to intensify his online narrative.
Our correspondence reports that philanthropist and content creator King Mitchy recently announced that she renovated a dilapidated school in six days, suggesting that the project was proof that meaningful change could happen swiftly when there was genuine intent.
However, she reportedly made comments widely interpreted as subtle jabs at VeryDarkMan, who, in turn, accused her of being used as a political pawn to launder the image of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Tagging the President’s son. VeryDarkMan was said to have alleged in another video that both Seyi Tinubu and King Mitchy were threatening his life.
Addressing the comments in a statement shared on Instagram on Saturday, Seyi Tinubu categorised the allegations and insinuations as false.
He clarified the nature of his interaction with King Mitchy, framing it strictly within the bounds of his long-standing philanthropic work.
Tinubu wrote, “I met Mitchy once, in a public setting, alongside others. On that occasion, I provided financial support toward her NGO activities, just as I have supported many young Nigerians and organisations working to empower our people.
“A follow-up meeting had been scheduled for me to receive an update on the impact of her NGO’s work following the donation. That meeting did not take place because I have been unwell.”
He categorically denied any private encounters, saying, “There has never been a private encounter, no secret arrangement, and no impropriety of any kind.”
Tinubu took direct aim at VeryDarkMan, accusing the activist of using a feud he had no part in to attack his reputation.
He wrote, “What is deeply concerning is that a feud I did not start, and in which I have played no part, has been used as a vehicle to insert my name into a narrative without basis in truth.
“For reasons best known to him, VDM appears to have been looking for a trigger, an opportunity to attack and attempt to harm my reputation and seized upon this situation to do so. I will not accept that.
“If my name generates attention, let us at least deal in facts. Supporting charitable causes is not a crime. Meeting someone publicly to support their NGO is not a scandal. Repeating falsehoods loudly does not transform them into truth.”
Tinubu asserted that he won’t be intimidated by “fictional” narratives, emphasising that he refuses to be bullied.
“I will not be bullied, and I will not dignify fiction with panic.
“I have experienced bullying before, and I understand the harm it can cause. That is why I take a firm stance against it,” he said.
Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to serving Nigerian youth through his foundation, insisting that “philanthropy and outreach must never be politicised or weaponised.”
“To those seeking to manufacture controversy: Nigeria needs builders, not bullies. We need responsible discourse, not sensationalism driven by speculation.
“I firmly reject the accusations made against me. I call for de-escalation, for restraint, and for a return to truth and responsibility,” he added.
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Security Reform: Tinubu Calls for Urgent Constitutional Backing for State Police
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…raises fresh alarm over terrorism, banditry at State House Iftar
…Akpabio pledges more support, vows no executive bill will die in Senate
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday night formally urged the Senate to begin the process of amending the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police, declaring that Nigeria must urgently restructure its security architecture to confront terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House, Abuja, the President said the time had come for lawmakers to “start thinking” about embedding state policing in the Constitution to enable governments at subnational levels better secure their territories.
“Nigeria is extremely challenged, we are facing terrorism, banditry, insurgency, but you never failed to make a right response to these calls. What I will ask for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear”, Tinubu said.
The President’s latest appeal adds momentum to a campaign he has sustained since early in his administration.
In February 2024, during an emergency meeting with the 36 state governors at the State House, Tinubu approved the creation of a joint committee of federal and state representatives to explore modalities for establishing state police, insisting that the country must “move aggressively” to improve security of lives and property.
He renewed the call in November 2025, urging the National Assembly to begin reviewing relevant laws to allow states willing to establish their own policing structures to do so.
At the APC National Caucus meeting in December 2025, he again pressed governors and lawmakers to back constitutional reforms for state police and local government autonomy.
Only days ago, at an interfaith breaking of fast with governors at the Presidential Villa, the President declared that state police “can’t wait” and “will not be postponed,” urging preparations for what he described as a necessary shift in the nation’s security architecture.
At Wednesday’s gathering with senators, Tinubu framed the proposed reform as a constitutional obligation anchored on unity and shared responsibility.
“What you have faced in the challenging period of this country, the terrorism and banditry, is causing us havoc and we should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy and pull us together. They didn’t say we should fight,” he said.
Beyond security, the President expressed deep appreciation to lawmakers for supporting what he described as bold and necessary economic reforms.
“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaborations, without your inspirations, those reforms are not possible. We are reformists together,” he said.
Tinubu defended the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, describing them as steps taken to halt “monumental corruption.”
“What we gave up and what we stopped is a monumental corruption in subsidy. We gave it up. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption, in arbitrage, foreign exchange,” he stated.
‘Amend Constitution to accommodate state police’
State police and questions Nigeria can no longer avoid
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According to him, the reforms have laid the foundation for economic stability.
“You don’t have to chase me for dollars. In the past, you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud… What we are enjoying is stable economy, prosperity beckoning on us. We just need to work hard for it,” he added.
Responding to criticisms from political opponents, the President dismissed claims that he was stifling opposition voices.
“When they accused me of killing oppositions, I didn’t have a gun… I can’t blame anybody from jumping out of a sinking ship if they did,” he said, in apparent reference to recent defections.
He described the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent as symbolic of national unity and called for continued harmony between the executive and legislature.
“We are committed to Nigerian entity succeeding. We are committed to make law for the welfare, prosperity of the country. I think we are committed together to govern together,” he said.
In his response, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, assured the President of the chamber’s loyalty and continued cooperation.
“We have nothing to give to you than to assure you of our loyalty,” Akpabio said. “I’m sure you have noticed that nothing you have ever sent to us died in first reading, and it will never happen.”
He said the Senate painstakingly reviews executive proposals to ensure they serve national interest, even when they initially attract criticism.
“We sit down to painstakingly go through everything that comes before us, and then at the end, we see that it is in the interest of Nigerians, even when the social media is not seeing it,” he said.
Akpabio commended Tinubu’s tax reforms, foreign exchange unification, fuel subsidy removal and the recent electoral amendment, noting that the President promptly assented to the revised Electoral Act when convinced it served national interest.
He expressed optimism that by 2031, Nigeria would be more prosperous under Tinubu’s leadership and offered prayers for peace amid what he described as “troubles and sponsored insecurity” in parts of the country.
The Senate President also thanked Tinubu for appointing former Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as an ambassador, describing it as recognition of legislative talent.
The interfaith gathering ended with prayers for unity, wisdom and strength for the nation’s leaders as they navigate security and economic challenges.
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BREAKING: Tinubu Names Tunji Disu Acting Inspector General After Egbetokun’s Exit
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President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and approved the appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
Our correspondent had earlier reported that Egbetokun tendered his resignation letter on Tuesday, citing pressing family considerations.
Appointed in June 2023, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President received the letter earlier on Tuesday and expressed appreciation for his service to the nation.
He also commended Egbetokun’s “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation,” acknowledging his “dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.”
“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
“The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period,” the statement read.
It added that in compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, the President will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
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