By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The need for a sustained action in creating opportunities for young leaders in Nigeria has again been emphasised by Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Ms Zuriel Oduwole, and Sterling One Foundation.

This issue and gender equality came up when Ms Oduwole and Sterling One Foundation visited Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State recently.

At 22 years old, Ms Oduwole is the youngest Nigerian ever nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and the first to be recognized in this category. Her global advocacy in education, gender equality, and youth inclusion has influenced policies and engaged key decision-makers across multiple countries.

At the meeting, she emphasized the power of storytelling in driving social change, saying, “I have seen the power of storytelling in changing perceptions and opening doors for young people.

“When we share our stories, we inspire action. I am grateful to our partners for amplifying young voices and creating opportunities that make a real difference.”

Her remarks highlight the role of storytelling in influencing narratives that drive meaningful change.

By amplifying diverse voices and ensuring that young people, especially women and girls, have platforms to be heard, storytelling becomes a powerful tool for influencing policies, shifting mindsets, and creating lasting impact in communities. The need for sustained efforts to support and invest in these platforms has never been more critical.

Also, Sterling One Foundation highlighted its investment in social impact across critical sectors.

The chief executive of the organisation, Ms Olapeju Ibekwe, also highlighted the importance of telling African stories and driving impact through intentional programming, while also reflecting on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Accelerate Action.

“At Sterling One Foundation, we are intentional about telling African stories that reflect the strength and potential of our people. This is evident in our focus areas and programming, where we have deliberately mainstreamed gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“This aligns with the call to ‘Accelerate Action’ this International Women’s Day, reinforcing the urgency of breaking barriers for women and girls.

“We are proud of Zuriel Oduwole for amplifying these values on the global stage, and we remain committed to creating an environment where young changemakers, especially women and girls, have the support and opportunities they need to lead and succeed,” Ms Ibekwe stated.

In his remarks, Mr Sanwo-Olu recognized Ms Oduwole’s contributions and her historic Nobel Peace Prize nomination, describing it as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent.

“This achievement reflects the resilience and determination of our people. In the past five years, we have faced COVID-19, economic challenges, and instability, yet we have continued to create opportunities for young Nigerians in technology, finance, and entertainment.

“Lagos is proud to support Zuriel’s journey and work with the Sterling One Foundation to expand opportunities for the next generation,” the Governor said.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Assembly, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, has approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.

Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency on the state following a political crisis in the oil-rich state.

He also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Mrs Ngozi Odu, as well as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a six-month period and appointed a retired military chief, Mr Ibok-ete Ibas, as the sole administrator for the state. He was sworn in on Wednesday.

However, the decision was earlier without the approval of the National Assembly. He later approached the parliament to legalize it.

At the plenary on Thursday, the House of Representatives, through a voice vote, approved the request of Mr Tinubu, mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.

Per the Constitution, the National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers, to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period.

Additionally, the Senate has resolved to establish a mediation committee consisting of eminent Nigerians to help resolve the state’s political crisis.

The constitution requires the upper and lower chambers of the federal parliament to approve the state of emergency by two-third majority each.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has allayed fears about the federal government delay of the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

The Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), established by the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, aims to promote indigenous ship acquisition capacity by providing financial assistance to Nigerian operators in the domestic coastal shipping industry.

This was the focus of discussions when the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, led a delegation from the agency to meet with the minister.

Mr Edun emphasized that the CVFF disbursement remains a priority, as it is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the economy, drive growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a major maritime hub in Africa.

On his part, Mr Mobereola stated that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has identified the CVFF disbursement as a key performance indicator for 2025.

“The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, directed us to engage with the Minister of Finance to resolve all technicalities and establish modalities to fast-track the disbursement of the CVFF to beneficiaries.

“This administration is committed to unlocking the sector’s full potential,” the NIMASA chief said.

The finance minister noted that the funds have been domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since the implementation of the Treasury Single Account.

As part of efforts to accelerate the process, the Minister of Finance has approved the inclusion of a representative from the Ministry in NIMASA’s in-house committee on CVFF disbursement, under the supervision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The finance minister also stressed the importance of regular updates and transparency in the utilization of the fund, ensuring that contributors and key stakeholders benefit efficiently while positioning Nigeria’s maritime industry for sustainable growth.