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ActionAid urges youths to harness digital technologies for development
ActionAid Nigeria has called on the nation’s youth to steer clear of negative uses of digital technology, urging them instead to harness it for personal growth and socio-economic advancement.
During a Youth Summit in Kano, Deputy Country Director, Suwaiba Muhammad, emphasised the importance of digital tools in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the role of young people as digital pioneers in driving innovation.
Muhammad warned against the dangers of unguarded digital consumption, encouraging parents and guardians to guide their wards toward the positive use of technology, as the nation’s future hinges on youth embracing these tools responsibly.
“Today, young people are leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation, with three-quarters of those aged 15 to 24 using the internet in 2022 a higher rate than other age groups. However, disparities persist, particularly in low-income countries (like our country Nigeria) and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their male counterparts.
While there is an urgent need to enhance digital inclusion, youth are largely recognised as “digital natives,” using technology to drive change and create solutions. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is essential for addressing global issues.
“This is a clarion call to all of us as parents, guardians and role models to ensure optimal and positive usage of digital technology among youth for personal growth, education, information, research and career development for the overall socio-economic development of our society.
“The society has been decaying with youth trooping for uncensored and unguarded digital information and technology that harm their psychological well-being and disrupt the social fabric for having a better and moral society. We need to be gatekeepers for social and economic development.
“Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making. With profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions.” She said.
In his remark, the Executive Director of Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative, Dr. Mustapha Yahaya challenged the parents, and guardians on their roles as gatekeepers to ensure their wards optimally and positively tap from the available opportunities with the use of technological advancement.
While acknowledging the role of digital technology in mitigating unemployment and countering violent extremism, the Kano State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, lauded the efforts of ActionAid and DRDI, affirming the state government’s commitment to creating more opportunities for youth.
The program, funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) through the SARVE III project, sought to empower youth with the knowledge and tools needed to drive change and build sustainable communities in Kano State and beyond.
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Kano State Government says it is targeting the distribution of more than 3.5 million meals under its 2026 Ramadan feeding programme across the state.
The Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Chairman of the Ramadan Feeding Programme, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, said this while inspecting designated cooking centres responsible for preparing and packaging meals for beneficiaries.
Tijani said the inspection was aimed at assessing hygiene conditions, quality of ingredients and the general cooking process at the centres.
According to him, the team focused on cooking facilities and packaging processes rather than distribution points.
“We visited some of the major contractors responsible for preparing large quantities of meals daily for the programme.
“One of the companies we inspected feeds about 25,000 people daily, while others also prepare between 13,000 and 25,000 meals each day,” he said.
He explained that the programme targets the preparation of about 115,000 meal packages daily throughout the 29 days of Ramadan.
The commissioner said the meals would be distributed across the eight metropolitan Local Government Areas of the state.
Tijani commended the contractors for maintaining good hygiene standards at the cooking centres.
“We inspected the kitchens, the environment and the packaging process to ensure that the food meets the required hygiene standards.
“We are satisfied with what we saw. The level of cleanliness and the quality of the food being prepared are commendable,” he said.
He added that government officials had intensified monitoring to ensure quality control throughout the programme.
According to him, the supervision has helped address earlier concerns about food quality recorded at the beginning of the exercise.
“For the past two weeks, we have been visiting different centres to monitor both the quantity and quality of meals being prepared,” he said.
Tijani also said the government had resolved cases where some individuals attempted to divert food meant for designated distribution centres.
He noted that the situation had been addressed in collaboration with local authorities, adding that such cases had reduced significantly.
The commissioner said the cooking centres were also complying with the dietary standards approved by the state government.
“We checked the ingredients being used, including cooking oil, seasoning and meat, and they meet the required standards,” he said.
Tijani described the 2026 Ramadan feeding programme as one of the most organised in the state, noting that the government would continue to monitor the exercise to ensure its success.
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A political support group, Tinubu/Dikko Assured (TDA 2027) has on Wednesday donated ₦11 million in cash and 95 bags of rice to party executives of the All Progressives Congress in Katsina.
The distribution, which took place in Katsina, was aimed at supporting party leaders and stakeholders during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Director-General and founder of the group, Umar Ahmad-Zayyad, said the distribution exercise would be supervised by members of the TDA State Steering Committee.
Represented by the TDA State Coordinator, Khalil Aminu, the D-G said the gesture was part of the group’s continued commitment to strengthening the party structure from the grassroots while supporting loyal party executives.
He further assured that the structure of the party in Katsina Local Government and the state in general, remains intact, adding that it had mobilised ahead of future political engagements.
Ahmad-Zayyad described the outreach as part of a sustained effort to consolidate party unity and reinforce grassroots mobilisation in line with the objectives of the Tinubu/Dikko 2027 Project.
He described Ramadan as a period of sacrifice, compassion and generosity, adding that the initiative was designed to cushion the economic burden on party officials and their families during the fasting period.
According to the breakdown provided at the ceremony, five bags of rice and ₦500,000 were distributed across each of the 12 Wards in Katsina Local Government Area.
In addition, 15 bags of rice and ₦2 million were presented to the Katsina Local Government Executives to support their activities and welfare.
Similarly, 20 bags of rice alongside ₦3 million were handed over to the State Party Executives as part of the broader intervention package.
Party leaders who received the items expressed appreciation to Ahmad-Zayyad for what they described as a timely and thoughtful intervention.
Other beneficiaries who spoke at the occasion pledged their continued loyalty and support to the party’s leadership at both the state and national levels.
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Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina has unveiled a ₦10.3 million Ramadan support initiative under the Maituraka Foundation for APC members and community leaders in Katsina Local Government.
The cash disbursement, launched on Tuesday in Katsina, aims to cushion the effects of economic hardship on beneficiaries during the fasting period.
Radda described the intervention as humanitarian, reflecting “the spirit of Ramadan, a period of compassion, sacrifice and generosity”.
He stressed that governance must remain people-centred, adding that supporting citizens is a priority of his administration.
The governor said strategic partnerships with well-meaning individuals and groups would continue to complement government efforts at poverty alleviation.
He commended APC members for their maturity and unity during the recently concluded party congresses.
According to him, the outcome has strengthened the party’s internal cohesion and grassroots structures across the state.
“After the APC congresses, our party has emerged stronger and more united than ever before.
“This unity will translate into better service delivery and political stability,” he said.
The programme’s initiator, Abdulaziz Maituraka, said the ₦10.3 million intervention was conceived as a Ramadan gesture to support beneficiaries.
Maituraka stated that those selected had remained steadfast in advancing the party’s ideals at the grassroots.
He described Ramadan as a season of giving and reflection, urging beneficiaries to use the support to ease domestic burdens.
Maituraka also called on party faithful to sustain their loyalty and mobilise support for Radda ahead of future political engagements.
He specifically urged continued backing for Radda and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
“Though this is an annual gesture, this year’s edition is unique because I expanded it to cover the entire local government.
“My first consideration is the APC, where I belong,” Maituraka said.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, describing the intervention as timely and impactful amid rising living costs.
NAN
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KNSG targets over 3.5m Ramadan meals, commends hygiene at cooking centres
APC stakeholders warn against factional politics in Adamawa
Tinubu campaign group donates N11m, rice to Katsina APC Officials
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