Author: user user

UNICEF, EU target 3,400 youths in Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto with employability skills

The Youth Employability and Skills Project (YESP), being implemented by Yaba College of Technology in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), is expected to address skills gaps among young people and strengthen their capacity to participate in the labour market.

The programme will cover 30 selected local government areas across the three states, with Kano accounting for 1,200 beneficiaries, while Jigawa and Sokoto will each have 1,100 participants.

Project Coordinator Funmilayo Doherty disclosed this at the launch and induction training in Kano, where participants were introduced to the Global Record Book, National Skills Qualification and guidelines on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

She said the initiative was designed to equip beneficiaries with practical competencies that would improve their productivity, support enterprise development and enable them to contribute to the economic development of their communities.

Doherty noted that Nigeria’s growing youth population represented a significant economic resource, but stressed that unlocking its potential required deliberate investment in skills that reflected the changing demands of the labour market.

According to her, the project would place particular emphasis on young women and vulnerable youths, especially those facing greater barriers to education, training and employment opportunities.

She also urged employers, businesses and industry leaders to provide internship placements, apprenticeships, mentorship and employment opportunities for participants after their training.

She said such partnerships would help bridge the gap between skills acquisition and actual employment, ensuring that beneficiaries could translate their newly acquired competencies into sustainable sources of income.

The UNICEF Representative at its Kano Field Office, Shafeeq Ur Rehman, said the partnership with the European Union and other implementing institutions reflected a shared commitment to investing in young people as drivers of economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.

He said equipping youths with relevant skills was important to improving their economic prospects and strengthening their contributions to society.

Similarly, Ibraheem Abdul, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, represented by the Deputy Rector, Ismail Badmus, said the institution was committed to expanding access to technical and vocational education.

Abdul disclosed that the college was targeting 18,000 young people through various skills acquisition programmes as part of its broader efforts to promote employability and economic empowerment.

The YESP will provide training in digital, green, technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills, alongside pathways designed to connect beneficiaries with employment and enterprise development opportunities.

The involvement of the ITF and Yaba College of Technology is expected to strengthen the technical delivery of the programme, while collaboration with employers will be critical to determining how effectively the training translates into jobs and viable businesses.

The initiative comes amid persistent concerns over youth unemployment and the mismatch between the skills acquired by young Nigerians and those demanded by employers, particularly in the country’s northern region, where access to technical training and formal employment remains a development challenge.

Jake Paul Faces MMA Star Cedric Doumbe On Christmas Eve In Dubai

heavy defeat to Anthony Joshua last December.

The American suffered a broken jaw in that loss, requiring two titanium plates and the removal of some teeth.

In May, the 29-year-old influencer said his boxing career was ‘most definitely’ in doubt after the injury, but he will now return to action on Christmas Eve.

The fight will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena and is a professionally sanctioned eight-round cruiserweight contest, with both fighters using 10oz gloves.

Doumbe, a Cameroonian-born Frenchman, is a multi-time kickboxing world champion turned MMA fighter.

The 34-year-old is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which merged with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in July. He has won two of his three fights since joining the PFL in 2023, but has only one professional boxing bout to his name, a win in 2015.

Paul has won 12 of his 14 professional fights, with defeats to Tommy Fury and Joshua. In July 2025, he earned a place in the WBA cruiserweight rankings after beating former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, but lost it in January following the Joshua defeat.

In that fight, he was knocked down twice by the British two-time heavyweight world champion before being stopped in the sixth round.

ECB’s Vujcic: AI valuations pose financial stability risk

European Central Bank (ECB) Vice President Boris Vujcic said on Monday that elevated artificial intelligence (AI) valuations are one of the prominent risks in the financial stability assessment.

Speaking at the Central Bank of Ireland’s Financial System Conference, Vujcic also pointed out that the ECB currently does not see rising sovereign bond yields as “particularly dangerous,” but added that movements can be non-linear and should be monitored.

“The geopolitical environment is unlikely to become any easier. But how well we absorb the shocks we face depends very much on the choices we make … Integration makes us more resilient. Resilience allows us to remain open,” the vice president concluded.

Lea Salonga not actively looking for love after split from husband

Broadway star Lea Salonga is focused on building a fulfilling life rather than finding a romantic partner.

The award-winning singer-actress shared her views on love and her current relationship status in an interview with ANC’s ‘Beyond The Exchange.’

Asked whether she remains open to finding love, Lea said getting married again is not something she is working toward at this point in her life.

‘It’s not something that I am actively building a life towards,’ she said.

Instead, Lea shared an advice she came across online, encouraging people to prioritize themselves and create a meaningful life regardless of their relationship status.

‘Build your life as if you are not getting married, where you prioritize yourself, where you love yourself, where you fall in love with yourself, and create a beautiful life,’ she quoted.

The international theater star said she believes personal growth and happiness should come before the pursuit of a romantic relationship.

She likened finding love to attracting butterflies to a garden, saying people should focus on making their lives fulfilling rather than chasing after a partner.

‘It’s like, when you build a garden and make it beautiful, that’s when the butterflies come. Don’t chase the butterflies. Attract them to your garden,’ she said.

‘So, create your life and if you meet somebody who makes your life even better, then that is when you can consider. But it is not something I am actively looking for,’ she added.

Lea also revealed that her friends are unlikely to arrange dates for her, saying they respect her choices and want her to be happy.

‘They won’t. I know my friends way too well. For them, it’s kung saan ka masaya, du’n ka dapat,’ she said.

The singer further explained that she already has a fulfilling life, with much of her attention going to her son, friends and home, alongside her professional commitments.

‘I have a life that is incredibly fulfilling, professionally. As far as my personal life goes, my attention is to my son, and to my friends, and my home, and you know there’s a lot of work on my plate,’ she shared.

Last January, Lea confirmed her separation from her husband, Robert Chien, after years of marriage.

For now, the Tony Award-winning performer appears content with focusing on her family, career and personal happiness rather than actively pursuing another relationship.

Marcos ready to veto ‘pork’ items in ?7.2-T 2027 budget, Palace warns

Malacañang said that the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 budget will face rigorous scrutiny from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who remains prepared to veto questionable line items after watchdogs claimed the bill contains P1 trillion in suspected discretionary or ‘pork’ funds.

However, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed the Chief Executive will not interfere with Congress as it prepares the 2027 General Appropriations Bill.

In a press briefing last Tuesday, she said all of the line items under the Bill are still subject to change until it is signed by Marcos.

‘The budget is yet to be finalized; it will be thoroughly scrutinized, as the Senate has promised. It will still go through the bicameral conference committee and be reviewed by the President’s economic team before it is signed,’ she said in Filipino.

‘Therefore, please do not prematurely claim that there are anomalies or that the administration is at fault. I hope the narrative is not spun in that direction by others,’ she added.

The House of Representatives already passed its version of the 2027 General Appropriations Bill, House Bill No. 10858, while the Senate is targeting to finalize its counterpart of the said piece of legislation after the resumption of its sessions on 9 November 2026.

The People’s Budget Coalition has flagged P1 trillion of House Bill No. 10858, which it suspected as pork barrel or government funds used by politicians for pet projects that aim to please voters.

Castro assured that the Chief Executive will not allow any ‘baseless’ budget amendments.

‘The President will not allow any budget amendments that lack sufficient documentation, proper descriptions, or concrete projects. The President will not permit that,’ she said.

The Presidential Communications Office undersecretary said that Marcos will veto such anomalous provisions of the proposed budget as he did in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In a related development, Castro said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will file its appeal on the Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional the 2024 and 2025 national budget as well as some provisions of the 2026 GAA on Wednesday.

The OSG earlier said that the High Court may have committed judicial overreach when it imposed stricter guardrails than was set by Congress, which has the power of the purse, on unprogrammed appropriations, which may hamper government budget utilization.

Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe said they hope the Supreme Court will promptly address their motion for reconsideration.

Castro said they will announce how new ruling affect the implementation of government programs this year.

Polo poised for Youth Olympics medal

POC Media Pool

DAKAR-Angel Polo put herself in a strong position for a medal in wushu and Riannah Chantelle Coleman bucked hyperventilation to make the women’s 200 meters breastroke final in the 4th Youth Olympic Games on Monday.

In what has become a predictable outcome in women’s Taijikuan combined, Polo again stood at third place after the Taijishuan preliminaries at the Dakar Expo Center in Diamniado behind strong favorite Ng Zhe Nin of Singapore and Chu Yu En of Chinese Taipei.

The three-who were 1-2-3 in the world junior championships in Tanjin, China, last March-finished in the same order as they were in the Taijishan preliminaries-Ng first with 9.353 points for a 18.653 total, Chu with 9.330 points for 18.563 and Polo with 9.233 for 18.456.

‘Angel is doing well and we’re focusing for tomorrow’s final,’ said Li Jianfang. ‘We hope to do better in the final.’

Tuesday’s final will also be two-phased-Taijishan at 10:38 a.m. and Taijiquan at 4:29 p.m.-both Dakar time.

Coleman, on the other hand, was fourth in her heat and seventh among eighth finalists topped by Japan’s Mana Ishikawa.

‘It was so bad but I’m grateful I had it done with,’ said Coleman, who was rushed to the Medical Room for hyperventilation. ‘I struggled with my breathing the entire race but I’m grateful I was able to touch the wall.’

She clocked the seventh-best time of 2:47.64-fourth in Heat 2-more than 18 seconds behind Ishikawa.

‘That’s way off my best time,’ added Coleman, who missed her personal best by five seconds.

Swimming staff had to carry Coleman to the Medical Room after she almost collapsed after leaving the pool and stayed there for some half an hour with fellow swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido and coach Jensen Halili.

Three other swimmers were being treated for hyperventilation while Coleman was being attended to inside the Medical Room.

SLIM hosts ‘Dare to be Different with Sandro Forte’ to inspire personal growth, leadership excellence

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing in Sri Lanka, hosted ‘Dare to be Different with Sandro Forte’ on 20 October 2026 at Monarch Imperial, Colombo, bringing international expertise in personal development and leadership to Sri Lankan professionals and business leaders.

The initiative aims to empower the marketing fraternity, uplift professionals, and drive the growth and advancement of the marketing industry in Sri Lanka.

SLIM President Enoch Perera said: ‘As part of my Presidential vision, ‘International Marketing – Taking Sri Lankan Marketing to the World,’ I believe SLIM must create greater access to global knowledge, perspectives and experiences for Sri Lankan professionals. After seven years, SLIM is proud to once again host an international event of this calibre, marking an important step towards connecting our marketing fraternity with global expertise. Equally important, our partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust as the beneficiary partner connects professional development with a meaningful social purpose. We want SLIM events to create value not only for participants, but also for the wider community.’

Featuring Sandro Forte (FPSA, CSP), an internationally acclaimed speaker and entrepreneur with experience spanning more than 90 countries, the workshop comprised two specialised sessions. The morning session, ‘Peak Performance Mastery: 5 Steps to Personal and Professional Excellence’, focused on mindset, communication and personal effectiveness, while the evening session, ‘Dare to Lead: Building High-Performance, Future-Ready Organisations’, explored leadership, performance coaching, organisational development and business sustainability.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative under SLIM’s Presidential agenda, the program will also support the Indira Cancer Trust, connecting professional development with a meaningful social cause. Through this partnership, the Indira Cancer Trust will be supported through the initiative, extending the value of the program beyond professional development and contributing to the support of cancer patients and their families. The collaboration reflects SLIM’s commitment to creating opportunities for professional learning while also supporting initiatives that contribute to meaningful social impact.

Project Chair Mihirinie Fonseka said: ‘As Project Chair, it is rewarding to see this initiative bring international expertise to Sri Lanka, creating a valuable platform for our marketing fraternity and wider business community to learn, grow and embrace new perspectives. Beyond professional development, our partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust as the beneficiary partner adds a meaningful social purpose to the program, reflecting our commitment to creating an impact that extends beyond the event itself.’

SLIM CEO Chamil Wickremasinghe said: ‘Today’s business environment demands professionals who can adapt to change, lead with confidence and translate knowledge into action. This initiative reflects SLIM’s commitment to equipping individuals and organisations with practical insights while promoting social responsibility.’

Through initiatives such as ‘Dare to be Different with Sandro Forte’, SLIM continues to advance professional development, leadership excellence and industry engagement while encouraging positive change and meaningful contributions to society.

NNPC credits reforms for 600,000bpd rise in Nigeria’s crude oil output

Reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have increased crude oil production by 600,000 barrels to 1.8 million barrels per day, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has said, as it targets two million barrels per day by 2027.

Bashir Ojulari, group chief executive officer of NNPC Limited, said sustaining the increase would depend on protecting existing production, maintaining critical infrastructure and accelerating new projects.

‘The figure of 1.8 million barrels per day is a stage in a journey towards our objective. We are concentrating on the basics, which are maintaining our infrastructure, protecting base operations and executing the projects that will take production higher,’ Ojulari said in a note on Tuesday.

The remarks come from his participation at an energy discussion titled ‘Nigeria’s Reform Agenda: Competing for Energy Capital’ at the 2026 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in the United Arab Emirates.

He attributed the production increase to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), improved investment conditions and stronger collaboration between NNPC and its industry partners.

The increase comes as Nigeria seeks to reverse years of declining crude oil production caused by oil theft, pipeline vandalism, underinvestment and operational disruptions.

NNPC is targeting $20 billion in investments through commercial agreements already concluded, Ojulari noted. He identified renewed interest from international oil companies as an opportunity to expand production and strengthen the country’s energy industry.

He said TotalEnergies’ Ubeta project, Shell’s Bonga South-West development and Eni’s Zabazaba project are examples of major upstream developments supporting renewed investor interest.

He said the company was engaging new partners, including the United Arab Emirates’ national oil company, ADNOC, and Chinese investors interested in Nigeria’s refineries.

He said NNPC was equally working with international oilfield service companies to improve technical and operational capacity needed to deliver projects and sustain production growth.

According to Ojulari, a baseline assessment of the company’s assets and infrastructure has helped management identify its strengths and areas requiring urgent attention.

‘Our track record will be judged by what is done and not by what is said,’ he said, reaffirming the commitment of the company’s management and board to delivering on the mandate given to it by President Bola Tinubu.

Beyond crude oil, NNPC is targeting gas production of 10 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030.

Ojulari said achieving the targets would require the development of both domestic consumption and export markets to ensure increased production translates into economic benefits.

He disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline was completed in August 2026, while the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline was expected to begin delivering gas to Abuja before the end of the year.

The pipelines are expected to improve gas supply for electricity generation, data centres and industrial activities.

NNPC is also pursuing regional export opportunities through the proposed Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.

Ojulari said countries involved in the Nigeria-Morocco project have aligned and executed the necessary agreements, while Nigeria, Algeria and Niger have reached an understanding on the development of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.

He also noted that more than 400 compressed natural gas conversion centres had been established across the country, while over 1,000 trucks used in transporting petroleum products had been converted to run on natural gas.

The development forms part of efforts to expand alternative fuel options and reduce the cost of transporting petroleum products following the removal of petrol subsidy.

Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to transparency and accountability, citing two consecutive earnings calls organised by the company to improve engagement with investors and other stakeholders.

Beyond the classroom: Student leaders take on real-world business challenges

For finance students, the transition from the classroom to the workplace can bring a different set of challenges. The problems they encounter in their careers are rarely as straightforward as the case studies they study in school.

In practice, financial decisions are shaped by customers, markets, competition and the changing dynamics of the finance industry.

Bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice is at the heart of a new year-long partnership between Global Dominion Financing Inc. (Global Dominion) and the Junior Confederation of Finance Associations – Philippines (JCFAP).

The partnership will support initiatives focused on professional development, career readiness and global exposure for future finance professionals.

Throughout the year, the two organizations will collaborate on student programs and educational activities that give students opportunities to engage with the industry they are preparing to enter.

JCFAP is a national student organization for finance students, with more than 12,000 members across 160 schools nationwide. It regularly conducts programs in financial literacy, leadership and professional development, giving students opportunities to develop skills and perspectives beyond their academic coursework.

Through its partnership with Global Dominion, JCFAP members will have additional opportunities to engage with industry professionals and gain a closer look at the financial services sector. The collaboration aims to help students understand how the concepts they learn in the classroom are applied when businesses face real-world financial challenges.

In textbooks, financial decisions may come with a defined set of assumptions and a clear answer. In practice, decisions can involve competing priorities, incomplete information, changing market conditions, and the needs of customers and businesses. Learning to navigate these realities is an important part of preparing students for the workplace.

Global Dominion’s president and CEO Samuel Cariño believes that the partnership can help students develop a broader perspective of the finance profession. ‘The future of the finance industry will be shaped by people who can look beyond numbers and understand the businesses, customers and markets behind them. We see our partnership with JCFAP as an opportunity to expose students to that broader perspective while they are still developing their foundations. By connecting them with industry experience, we hope to help them see where their knowledge can be applied and what it means to build a career in finance,’ Cariño said.

The partnership also gives students an opportunity to explore the breadth of careers within the finance sector. Finance professionals contribute to areas ranging from risk management and business development to market research, analytics and strategy. Exposure to these different functions can help students develop a broader view of where their financial education can lead.

For JCFAP, the collaboration brings an industry perspective to its existing programs for finance students. Through its nationwide network, the organization can connect students from different schools with opportunities to learn from professionals and gain insights beyond their respective campuses.

Finance student leaders will also have better understanding of on the ground realities in the Philippine finance landscape and discover more opportunities to collaborate and innovate to cater to the underserved segment of the credit market.

Global Dominion’s chief marketing officer Aian Guanzon sees this partnership as an opportunity to co-create a stronger financial education community that is supported not just by industry experts, but also by upcoming professionals exploring new models and means for better lending and financing products in the future.

‘This partnership will expand our Ka-partner Academy network and amplify our collective efforts toward improved financial inclusion in the country,’ Guanzon said.

For Global Dominion, the partnership additionally provides an avenue to engage with the next generation of finance professionals and contribute to their development before they enter the workforce.

The collaboration highlights the value of connecting academic learning with the industries students are preparing to enter. What students learn in the classroom takes on a different meaning when placed in the context of actual businesses, customers and markets.

Exposure to real-world challenges can help them understand how financial knowledge informs decisions, shapes strategies and responds to changing business needs.

Over the course of the year, Global Dominion and JCFAP will work together to create more opportunities for students to make that connection, bringing classroom learning closer to the realities of the finance industry and helping future finance professionals take their first steps toward the careers they aspire to build.

Warri delineation: Lawyer seeks probe, warns against violence

Lawyer and politician, Chief Robinson Ariyo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the Warri delineation exercise amid allegations of financial inducement, procedural irregularities and possible security compromises.

Ariyo, in a statement, called on the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to provide an independent legal opinion on the exercise and ask the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish its delineation report, maps, methodology and supporting data.

He also urged relevant agencies to preserve documents relating to the exercise and investigate credible allegations of suspicious financial transactions and possible misconduct involving political actors, public officers and security personnel.

Ariyo further called for an independent audit of private surveillance contracts connected to oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta, including an examination of contract awards, financial disbursements and possible diversion of public funds.

He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to investigate any credible evidence of financial wrongdoing within their respective mandates.

The lawyer also appealed for impartial security measures in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West local government areas to protect residents and prevent violence, regardless of ethnic affiliation.

He called for an inclusive dialogue involving traditional rulers, community representatives, political stakeholders and legal practitioners from the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo communities, saying the engagement should allow all sides to present their concerns and supporting evidence.

Ariyo cited Sections 112 to 115 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and questioned whether INEC could implement changes to existing State Constituency boundaries without the required National Assembly approval and before the current tenure of the relevant State House of Assembly expires.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the controversy was resolved through constitutional processes, transparency, and dialogue to prevent further tension and protect democratic institutions.