Indid, this is a laudable project and it is as well a suparp initiative at a time as this in the history of our country. It is not unclear that this move will definitely pull the Nigerian youth out of the perrenial problem and grip of unemployment, idleness and poverty that has locked us down for centuries. The opportunity at YES2017 is more than golden, and it will be unwise for any sane youth to ignore. Nigerian youth should grab this with both hands. Thank you YEN for this initiative. I laud your good work tailored towards liberating Nigerian youths from the ravaging menace of unemployment. Keep up the good work. More grace and grease.

Prior to the dispensation of CHANGE, the TRANSFORMATION agenda was marred with countless economic trauma, political crisis, educational tragedy, religious infidelity, and more alike. These harsh realities and hostilities predicated on Nigeria's leadership machinery made life miserable for majority of her populace especially the average ones. Hence, the quest for a better life, an improvement on the system become inevitable. This was evidential as one can lucidly read in most national dailies, burning issues revealing the desire of Nigerian masses against the realities before them.

Presumably, the nation was heading towards collapse and possible extinction with the unveiling scenario. Of course, no citizen wished for a calamitous end or terminus for a great nation as Nigeria. Without a doubt, one could predict what reaction would follow from the masses end. It was time to change the game and usher in an era that would salvage the entire situation for the greater good of all. In fact, an ideology was birthed and no one wish to entertain or accommodate ideas antithetical to what has been popularised. A sort of indoctrination arose from the economic harsh realities occasioned by an act of carelessness and indiscipline on the part of leaders and followers alike who ceremoniously enslaved themselves and enlisted the future of the country in the files of failed States accordingly.

Trust Nigerians, we are quick to embrace party divides when a system is inefficient. As such, the need to address the problem from a political angle becomes pressing. Obviously, this is the brain behind political instability rocking Nigeria's political history and transition. It is most likely to continue ad infinitum considering the unquenchable political sentiment resident in the minds of every Nigerian. Back to the issue, the needful becomes a change of party in the administration of the country's affairs. The ruling party must subtly relinquish power to another who is believed would provide solution to the lingering problem and consequently change the nation's fortune for the greater good. It is believed to be a Lee way out of our economic woes and a recouping of our national image among international communities. Hence, anything contrary to the plan implies total war, chaos and tragedy. Since it is evident that we cannot afford such doom at a time as this in our nation's history, the plan had it way and power had to be subtly relinquished to another party as desired. In my own words, "TRANSFORMATION stepped aside for CHANGE". For me, these terms are synonymous. Would there be any meaningful impact, considering the party gladiators? It was worrisome for me.

The inception of a new dispensation would ideally attract optimism, trust and enthusiasm. Of course it was. Owning to the promises of the "CHANGE" dispensation, hopes came alive, dreams ignited and motivation for a better experience filled the atmosphere. Populace believed a new dawn has been birthed. Something more like a Messiah has arrived for Nigeria. A new face of government. No one had pessimistic feelings for the "CHANGE" led administration.

However, has the administration lived up to its expectation recently? Now, this is that point where I desire everyone to have their philosophical lenses on and let us begin a formal process of evaluating, examining, scoring and determining the impact of this incumbent administration.

Now let us check out the events playing out since its inception. Power supply: degenerated, Security: compromised, Education: falling standards, Economy: recession, Salaries: unpaid, Commodity prices: inflated, and more alike. To start with, it is no news that dollar frustrates the Naira daily and has translated into unreasonable hike in fuel price, local commodities and services. Rice has become Gold so much that people barely afford it without an option. The situation is so bad that importers began to import rubber rice, stones and others alike. Also, In a bid to clamp down on corruption, anti-graft war was launched. As I speak, none has been jailed for corrupt practises amidst the legions of corrupt individuals in the country. Are they truly fighting corruption? I don't think so. Well, it has been said that, "If you talk you will die, and if don't, you will still die". Hence, why no not talk the talk and die the death, and rest a hero.

Nigerians complained of hunger in the past but may I announce to us that real hunger has just surfaced so much that three square meals now lies with NairaBet. Similarly, Nigerians lost millions of Naira in MMM. Our eyes behold unbelievable happenings daily, those who study with a dream of becoming Doctors, are now Conductors. Matters arising daily, the President is ill, Senators are confused, Ministers are dormant, Ministries are non functional, Parliamentarians are noisy, the entire system is chaotic. Could this be the "CHANGE" they meant? God forbid......

Obviously, a change of party is not necessarily a change of situation for the greater good. In Nigeria's case recently, change of party in the administration of the country's affairs has brought about "The Greater Worse" to say the least.

Elites and lay men alike, we have work to do for Nigeria. Party sentiment is clearly not the way out neither is it the way forward for Nigeria.

The world's strongest nations thrives on two powers. MILITARY POWER, AND ECONOMIC POWER. A nation that has succeeded in building these powers to its peak, rules the world. Their actions, and decisions has global consequence. The military power on one hand, assures her citizens maximum security, prompt response to emergency situations, and protection against circumstances that threatens lives or jeopardize public peace. Under this cover, institutions, and organizations within legal parametres go about their duties confidently and without panic.

Economic power on the other hand, provides financial opportunities, empowerment, and liberty to her citizens. It is this structure that make available employment opportunities, incentives, favourable entrepreneural atmosphere, innovative market ideology, and motivate productivity among citizens. All structures, framework, and policies here are geared towards enhanced living standards, financial freedom, and improved human relations. Any conscious or unconscious attempt to compromise this ultimate agenda is outrightly condemed irrespective of political affiliation, class or social status of individual(s) who might concieve such compromise. Everyone is a link in the chain for the realization of the ultimate agenda.

The two powers influence other sectors in the country as well. Politics, education, healthcare, and information automatically fall in their righful operational place. This is because when priorities are set right, other components aligns automatically and quickly. When the head is right, then the body is right.

Wold Powers as Britain, US, Germany, Israel, Russia, and Japan gad discovered this secret centuries ago. In turn, they gave all they had, made incredible sacrifices over time to operationalize the secret in view. Absolute attention and support was given to military intelligence, as well as economic structures in her cradle. Today, they are world powers with the best security technically, and physically. They have the best economy in the world as well.

A country where the afore reality is bankrupt, only exprience an overwhelming increasing level of poverty, hardship, and suffering as tenable in Third World countries especially Nigeria. It is obvious as to why Third world countries remain perpectually underdeveloped. The delibrate refusal to strengthen the military over the years has lead to a colossal case of insecurity, and unrest in the continent. This has resulted to loss of lives, property, and as well as investors.

The careless attitude shown to Third
World military power that has led to its inefficiency, was also transfered to her economic power. The consequencies are before us all. Its time we go back to the drawing board, and set priorities right if we must abate this ugly trend. The problem with us is simply the MISPLACEMENT OF PRIORITIES. Serious things are given less priorities, and mundane things are given more priority. Until this mentality change, i am afraid there is no future for the continent, Nigeria in particular. Remember, when priorities are set right, other things fall in their rightful place. The dream for a world class economy is 2020, its (2020) by the corner. How realizable is it? It is as doing same thing and expect a different result. When method change, result changes also. Lets SET PRIORITIES RIGHT, and get it right this time

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: GOVERNOR ORTOM'S APPROACH. by Idakpo Friday Nicholas.

Benue State apparently has the largest generation of young people in history. I place great hope in their power to shape our future. Obviously, there are dividend in the State, to realize the dividend, the State must invest in the empowerment, education and employment of their young people. There are more than a million young people in Benue today, representing a staggering amount of human potential. Yet too many of them are trapped in poverty, with few opportunities to learn or to earn a decent living. Perhaps those at the corridors of power all appreciate the massive waste of human capital in the State when hundred of thousands of young people are jobless.

Young people are hungry for better options. “They are rejecting the status quo and demanding a better future. Many of them are claiming their right to a decent living, and they are willing to take risks to do so. We have seen in recent times the high numbers of young people taking risks around the Mediterranean, trying to reach a better life. But if these youths are allowed to realize their full potential, the State could see huge economic gains.

Obviously, The more young people grow into well-educated adults with fewer dependants and new opportunities to acquire wealth, savings and purchasing power, the more they will be able to accelerate economic growth and development.

More so, increasing investment in young people is key and pivotal for economic development. Until leaders begin to look in this direction, development remains a mirage. Similarly, empowerment is essential especially for the youths. The State must increase employment opportunities for young people and equip them with all it takes for wealth creation. Such equipping cut across furnishing the youths with business tools, funding, capacity building, technical support, entrepreneurship training and more alike. There is also a critical need to involve young people in decisions that will affect them. We cannot talk about sustainable development without the active involvement of youth. Hence, there is need for wide consultation with youths in addressing the State's economic challenge and woes.

On the contrary, Benue State Chief administrator, Governor Samuel Ortom like his colleagues in the past recently approached youth empowerment from an absurd perspective. The fleet of wheel-barrows purchased recently by the Governor as a move for youth empowerment in the State and to address the lingering economic hardship in the region is not a plausible idea and it is not in the best interest of the Benue youths. In as much as empowerment demands equipping of young people with business tools, ideas, funds and more alike, wheel-barrows in contemporary Nigeria holds no economic value, as such, it is not a viable business tool. Such initiative is untenable in a civilized society. It has no possibility to harness economic gains for the State. At best, it is a colossal waste.

It is lucid that there no consultations with the youths before initiating such move. Lack of consultation with youths has translated to the recorded failure playing out lately. This fatal fall has finds it way into the pages of history just as Gabriel Suswam "Pigs" saga. I am afraid the chain will continue ad infinitum if Benue leaders do not find a way to give its empowerment initiatives a human face, and the youths learn to put an end to celebrating wrong initiatives and gestures from their leaders.

YEN is ultimately the voice of youths in contemporary Nigeria. Over the years, youths across the country has benefited in no small measure from her empowerment programs/congress. The Youth & Women Congress 2017 (YAWEC2017) among others held in Lagos is a testimony to the fact that YEN is committed to youth empowerment. I think it is reasonable for Nigerian youths to rally round the Association so to harness the potentials in them by leveraging on the empowerment opportunities created for them by YEN. We should welcome such a body with open arms.

Ooni's weight behind YEN is a laudable development and a mile stone achievement not just for the organisation but for Nigerian youths as a whole. It shows that our indigenenus traditional rulers have positive consideration for the youths. Embracing them will further motivate the youths to achieve more. In the near future, I anticipate to see more leaders subscribing to YEN's vision, that way Nigerian youths will gain more support to change the fortunes of our nation for the better.

Contrary to Debbie's notion about YEN, the Association has no such exploitative mechanism widely popularized by her. My contact and experience with YEN is nothing but a commendable one. Their seminars, congresses, and programs are free in the last few years even the just concluded Youth & Women Empowerment Congress in March. Delegates at the congress registered and got admitted into the center for free. Again, no application form had ever been sold for 3k by the Association and no such audition or other unfavourable measures had ever been instituted for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs as claimed by her (Debbie). Definitely, it is not the YEN we know. We are encouraged to do our findings about the Association on any pressing issue. They have their website and other channels open for enquiries and complaints. Do check it out. The most known are www.yen.org.ng, info@yen.org.ng.

Recently, YEN announced Youth Empowerment Summit 2017 (YES2017). Registeration is on going. I have registered and it is easy. Check it out on their website. The summit is the biggest of its kind. Youths cant afford to miss this.