The Lagos State Government and stakeholders have highlighted the importance of leadership development, effective communication and emergency response skills in empowering young people to contribute meaningfully to community development.
The call was made during the Youth Leadership, Emergency Action and Development (YOU-LEAD) programme organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in collaboration with the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Divisional Head of the Adolescent and Youth Health Division at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayeni Olasumbo, said the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical leadership and communication skills that will enable them to make positive impacts in their communities.
According to her, effective communication is a vital quality for every leader, noting that the training sessions were structured to help participants develop the ability to communicate clearly and confidently in different situations.
She added that the programme will also expose participants to emergency response training, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which will help prepare them to respond appropriately during crisis situations.
Dr. Ayeni noted that the knowledge gained during the training is expected to create a ripple effect as participants apply what they have learnt and pass it on to others in their communities.
Also speaking, Vice President Membership of Eagle Toastmasters Club, Feigne Suinner, stressed the role of communication in mobilising communities and driving collective action.
She explained that effective communication helps leaders clearly convey their messages and encourage community members to support development initiatives.
Suinner noted that communication is a skill that requires practice and patience, urging young participants to be intentional about their words, tone and listening abilities.
A medical practitioner with over a decade of experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Femi Ogunmoku, said the training had equipped participants with the knowledge needed to handle emergency situations such as accidents, injuries and sudden medical collapse.
Dr. Ogunmoku also emphasised the importance of contacting emergency services when necessary, reminding participants to make use of Lagos State emergency numbers such as 112 and 767.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ibeju Lekki, Hon. Sesan Olowa, said the programme forms part of efforts to prepare young people for leadership roles in society.
According to him, youth currently play significant roles across different sectors in Nigeria, making it necessary to invest in their development and capacity building.
Olowa, who was represented by the Supervisor for Youth and Sports in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Balogun Hakeem Oluwole, said the local government remains committed to organising more programmes aimed at empowering young people and preparing them to contribute positively to their communities.
He expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the training would enable participants to become proactive leaders capable of driving development and responding effectively to challenges within their communities.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR —-Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward modernising its sports sector, as the National Sports Commission (NSC) moves to strengthen digital infrastructure through a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In a move that underscores this commitment, the Director General of NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, with his top delegation recently visited the top management of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Chairman, Hon. Idris Olorunbe.
The engagement focused on building a transformative alliance aimed at fast-tracking sports digital transformation and positioning Nigeria’s e-sports industry on the global stage.
Speaking during the meeting, Olopade underscored the Commission’s readiness to integrate technology as a central pillar of sports advancement.
“Our goal is to collaborate closely with the NCC to strengthen sports science, especially e-sports, through sustainable sponsorship models. We are counting on the Commission to enhance connectivity and help attract the level of corporate investment required in today’s sports landscape,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of increased private sector participation.
“Corporate Social Responsibility must take on a more prominent role in sports development. A modern sports ecosystem cannot thrive without active involvement from the technology and telecommunications sectors. Strong synergy between the NSC and NCC will drive tangible progress in sponsorship and digital infrastructure,” Olopade added.
The NSC boss further noted that the NCC’s support would be vital in unlocking the full potential of e-sports in Nigeria.
“From improved internet speeds to advanced gaming infrastructure, the NCC’s contribution is key if Nigerian athletes are to compete successfully on the global stage,” he said.
In his response, NCC Chairman Idris Olorunbe expressed optimism about the collaboration, describing it as a forward-looking initiative with far-reaching impact.
“Whatever is achievable in conventional sports can equally be realised in e-sports. The issue is not whether it can be done, but the strategy for execution,” he stated.
Olorunbe also pointed to the broader economic opportunities tied to the partnership.
“This collaboration holds immense economic promise. Beyond sports, it has implications for youth employment, digital innovation, and the country’s global image. The Director General’s initiative is highly commendable,” he said.
He further emphasised the shared national vision guiding both institutions.
“The objective is to drive national development. For our e-sports athletes to succeed, we must invest in gaming hubs, improve connectivity, and establish enabling policies that support talent development,” he added.
They agreed to set up a joint technical working group tasked with outlining a strategic roadmap for sports digitalisation, structuring e-sports leagues, and developing a national framework to attract investment into the digital sports space.
The emerging partnership between the NSC and NCC signals a landmark move—potentially the first formal collaboration between Nigeria’s sports and communications regulators—towards building a sustainable digital sports economy.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) announces the expansion of its trading hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (WAT), effective Monday, 27 April 2026, in a move designed to deepen market liquidity, enhance price discovery, and broaden investor access.
Approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, the expansion shifts the market opening earlier from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and extends the close from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., marking a significant evolution in the Exchange’s market structure.
The extended trading window will provide greater flexibility for investors, improve responsiveness to market-moving information, and support broader participation across the market. The development builds on the momentum of Nigeria’s recent reclassification to Frontier Market status by FTSE Russell, reinforcing NGX’s global positioning and enhancing its attractiveness to a broader pool of domestic and international investors.
This reform reflects strong regulatory collaboration and underscores the Securities and Exchange Commission’s continued commitment to advancing market development initiatives. Alongside Nigeria’s Frontier Market reclassification, it signals a deliberate shift towards a more accessible, liquid, and globally competitive market.
The implementation follows extensive stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment and operational readiness ahead of the go-live date. NGX Regulation Limited will continue to provide robust oversight to support a smooth and orderly transition, while maintaining high standards of transparency and investor protection.
With this development, NGX reinforces its position as a leading multi-asset exchange, deepening liquidity, improving market access, and supporting efficient capital formation within Nigeria’s financial markets.