Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said the Vice President received at the Presidential Villa, the executive committee of the Young Parliamentarians Forum, led by its Chairman, Simon Elisha, on Tuesday.

The Vice President said that the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) were not done on the basis of sharing slots between public officials or political chieftains, but in a manner whereby Nigerians who knew no one could benefit and did benefit.

“The first problem was everybody wanted a slot. I resisted it. Why? If I do that, we will destroy the programmes because majority of Nigerians don’t know people who will take the slots.

“It was not that one was being purist, but if young people can’t get the benefit except they know someone then we have failed the young people.

“One day, the President called me that he was listening to BBC Hausa Service and he heard two young men-beneficiaries of N-Power – saying they didn’t know anybody but were being paid the N30, 000 monthly stipends.

“The President said that is what shows we are making a difference; and everywhere we went during the 2019 campaigns, we had these young people organising themselves coming out supporting us.

“If people know they count, then they can trust us and they won’t destroy because they have a stake. Otherwise, people will never trust us,” he submitted, insisting that political leaders must make sacrifices in order to win the trust of the people.”

He acknowledged that there were indeed important issues to be addressed.

Osinbajo said the youths were not just a demography but in the majority.

“What we need to do for that vast majority is what we must do for our country. We must find a way so they are represented as effectively as possible,” he said.

He welcomed the support of the House of Representatives members for the newly formed National Economic Council (NEC) committee set up yesterday to interface with youths, and other stakeholders on issues of employment, social safety-nets and national unity.

Elisha commended the Vice President’s sincere interaction with the youths over the years and especially in the wake of the #EndSARS protests across the country and called for improved interaction between youths and leaders at all levels.

In his contribution, Luke Onofiok, from Akwa Ibom State lauded the courage exhibited by the Vice President in honestly addressing issues in the wake of the nationwide protests.

“We appreciate the messages you sent to the youth during the protests. It doused tensions. You did the job of John the Baptist for the President ahead of his speech to the nation,” he said.

Other members of the forum at the meeting included Hafiz Kawu, Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano State, Kabiru Tukura, Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/D/Wasagu Federal Constituency, Kebbi State and Saidu Abdullahi, Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Niger.

Also in the meeting were Taiwo Oluga, Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Osun Sate and Shina Abiola-Peller, Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State

Elisha represents Kaltungo/Shongom Federal Constituency in Gombe State while Onofiak is from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom.

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Obaseki gave the assurance on Thursday, when he held an interactive meeting with youth groups at the Government House, Benin.

He described the Edo protest as politically motivated, following its hijack by agents allegedly determined to cause political instability in the state.

Obaseki said: “I am worried about the level of criminality.

“Part of the fight we had in our first term was the issue of maintaining law and order and fighting criminality.

“Lots of these criminals hid under the cover of the godfathers who called them their infantry, lions and tigers.

“You could see them in the last few days, the way they came out pouncing on people’s private properties.

“The crisis in Edo is not the #ENDSARS protests but political because the government supports the #ENDSARS protests.

“Just as we defeated them in the election, we will contain them. With my #ENDSARS people, we are going to arrest them and put them back to the zoo.”

“Without law and order, there can’t be economic growth because no investors will come here to invest.

According to the governor, his administration recognises the role played by youths in his re-election.

He therefore said that his administration had plans to reward the youths with 60 per cent of appointment of youths under the age of 40 in his second tenure.

He said his government had no problem with peaceful protests, adding, “I asked the police to give you protection but the police authorities have a choice to either obey me or not.

“Our position as a government is to support the position of the #ENDSARS protesters because their demand is legitimate,” he said, and assured the youths that he was on their side.

“The Judicial Panel of Inquiry is the first step to go and we have instructed that the number of members be increased to 20 to accommodate other groups.

“The panel has 90 days and I urge you all to give evidence to the panel, which should be documented to enable us to implement its report.

“Our security arrangements in the country must reflect our federal system because I can’t be a governor of a state and not be able to hire and fire my Commissioner of Police.

“But the #ENDSARS has helped us start the process.

“The Public Works Volunteer is a version of our neighborhood watch in the state.

“We have 900 people being trained. 1,100 others will be trained after this set and another 20 persons per ward will be hired to be in charge of public safety.

“As the governor, I will do everything within my power to have strong internal security because we need to protect ourselves,” Obaseki said.

Our correspondent reports that the meeting was attended by leaders and representatives of over 30 youth organisations in Edo.

A representative of the protesters, Abraham Oviawe, said their demand emanated from the pain Nigerians had suffered in the hands of security operatives over the years.

He thanked the governor for constituting the panel to investigate the excesses of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad and urged him to ensure that the panel discharged its assignment creditably for Edo people.

Oviawe urged the police to be civil in their dealings with members of the public, while urging the police authorities to scrutinise the activities of the anti-cultism unit of the force.

“We urge your government to re-constitute the neighborhood watch and ensure the recruitment process is open and transparent in order to assist community policing in Edo,” he said.

Also, a representative of Civil Society Organisations in the state, Curtis Ogbebor, urged the government to arrest and prosecute those who shot and killed some protesters at Kingsquare in Benin.

A representative of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Steven Imafidon, said that 60 per cent of victims of police brutality were students.

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Akume made the statement on Thursday in Abuja when representatives of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Postgraduate Council conferred on him the Gamji Award of Excellence and also inducted him into the ABU Sardauna Hall of Fame.

The minister noted that challenges were part of nation building, adding that the World Bank already projected a growth rate of 3.3 per cent for the country by 2021.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria would exit recession by 2021 even as efforts were being made to repay debts, stressing that Nigerians had a duty to make Nigeria great again.

According to him, working together with a determination to succeed can bring the nation to its former place of glory.

Mr Sagir Adam, the President of ABU PG council, said the title was conferred on the minister because of his exemplary leadership role, while describing him as an epitome of humanitarian service.

In a related development, the Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) also conferred on the minister the title of Jagara Matasan Arewa, which means an epitome of administrative prudence.

Mr Isah Abubakar, the NYCN President said Akume was being honoured in appreciation of his immense contribution towards a united and indivisible Nigeria.

According to him, Akume is regarded as a vanguard of youth emancipation who serves as a bridge for national unity.

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Abubakar said as a stakeholder in the Nigerian aviation industry, the NAF has always encouraged local talents in science and technology, especially aviation-related innovations.

Our correspondent report that the Air Chief made the commitment when he hosted the four youngsters, all of them SSCE certificate holders, on Tuesday in Kaduna.

The four young talents, Musa Aliyu, Abdulateef Anafi, Abbas Jamiu and Jimoh Ahmed, were flown to Kaduna in a NAF aircraft and taken round the NAF Research and Development Centre, the 401 Flying Training School and 431 Engineering Group.

Represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation, AVM Remigius Ekeh, Abubakar said that the aim was to expose them to aircraft engineering, aircraft R&D and operations.

He said that the gesture was part of efforts to reinforce a culture of self-reliance among young Nigerians.

Abubakar added that NAF had on many occasions, identified gifted individuals and facilitated the harnessing of their talents for increased capacity and the betterment of the Nigerian society.

“The NAF therefore invited these talented youths to encourage them and see how best their potentials can be harnessed.

“The intention was to expose the gentlemen to aircraft engineering, aircraft R&D and aircraft operations, for them to have a good conception of how an aircraft is designed, manufactured and operated.”

It was reported that the youngsters interacted with Aerospace Engineers and other Specialists involved in some of the NAF’s R&D efforts.

They were also given briefs on what needs to be studied in order to be maintenance or design engineers for aircraft systems at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT).

At the 401 Flying Training School and 431 Engineering Group, they were shown the basic mechanisms of aircraft flying as well as its components, maintenance and repairs.

Abubakar said the experience and exposure from the tour would guide them in making decisions about their future, adding that the NAF “is willing, able and ready to assist them as may be required.”

Musa Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they were exploring their talents separately, until they met in Ilorin.

“We found ourselves at Ilorin as a team, and we started a remote control aircraft which is RCD aircraft.

“So we decided to build a big one to show the Nigerian Air Force and other higher institutions the talent we have.

“We want to appreciate the Chief of Air Staff for his efforts; it will be a great opportunity for us to achieve our dreams.”

He appealed to the Air force to assist them in furthering their education, so as to improve their talent.

“The talent was given to us by God, we decided to build on it so that everyone can see what we have,” Aliyu added.

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It was reported that the irate youths allegedly threatened to attack South African-owned businesses such as MTN, Shoprite malls, Multi-choice among others in Lagos.

Our correspondent observed that Shoprite mall located on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street and MTN located on Bode Thomas, Surulere had to close early for business following the protest by the angry youth.

It was reported that the youth who were mainly males expressed their displeasure at the way South Africans were attacking Nigerians in their country.

They called on the Federal Government to take proactive diplomatic actions that would stop how most Nigerians were being maltreated in South Africa.

One of the protesters said “enough is enough” adding that it was high time that President Muhammadu Buhari did something about the situation before they (youths) take the law into their own hands.

One of the MTN officials who begged for anonymity said that they opened at 8 a.m., today just like any other day until he got a call saying that the neighbouring mall: Shoprite, was under attack and that they (MTN) should close shop as soon as possible.

“We were scared and that led us to shut down the premises around 2 p.m., and asked all our staff to go home,” he said.

One of the police officials from the Surulere Police Division who refused to disclose his name said that everything was under control, adding that they were there to enforce law and order.

Our correspondent observed that several police vehicles were parked in front of Shoprite mall while the uniformed men were pacifying the irate youths.

Our correspondent also noticed that the irate youths did not disturb the activities going on inside Leisure Mall which is the neighbouring shopping mall to Shoprite in Surulere.

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