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Plateau Youth Parliament Holds Inaugural Sitting, Prioritizes Security and Youth Empowerment
The Plateau State Youth Council Parliament held its historic inaugural sitting on Monday, marking a new era of youth inclusion and legislative engagement in the state. Speaker Rt. Hon. Amos Aseno set a visionary tone in his opening address, calling on members to rise as champions of transformative change.
In his welcoming remarks, Speaker Aseno said, “My colleagues, it gives me profound gratitude and deep sense of purpose to welcome each and every one of you to this historic inaugural sitting of the Plateau Youth Council Parliament Central Working Committee. We gather not only as representatives of our constituencies, but as torchbearers of a renewed vision for Plateau.”
He praised the commitment of the principal officers for their dedication to state-first ideals and commended the full participation of members in a recent retreat, which he described as a “collective awakening.” According to Aseno, “It was a moment that reminded us of the urgent need for a youth-led movement driven by integrity, intelligence, and innovation.”
He further extended appreciation to the Executive Chairman and leadership of Jos South Local Government Area for making the legislative chamber available, calling it “a symbolic gesture of inclusion and a reaffirmation that the future of governance must involve young people.”
Speaker Aseno emphasized the enormous challenges confronting youths today—rising insecurity, unemployment, drug abuse, and alienation—and urged the parliament to rise as agents of transformation. “We must initiate and support bills and motions that directly speak to economic empowerment, educational reform, security collaboration, and youth entrepreneurship. The time for empty promises is over,” he said.
He also called on youths to embrace responsible dialogue and social media usage, rejecting ethnic profiling and divisive narratives that further isolate the state. “Let us project Plateau positively. Let us tell stories of resilience and resourcefulness to attract investment and opportunities,” he added.
In a strong show of purpose, the inaugural sitting immediately addressed one of the most pressing issues in Plateau—security.
Hon. Goewam Ladat Joseph, representing Quan’pan, moved the first motion on the floor, focusing on the security situation across the state. “It has become a known challenge to all well-meaning Plateau citizens. I’m grateful that the Speaker prioritized this motion due to its urgency,” he said.
The motion, categorized as one of urgent public importance, called for increased security presence and support for local security outfits like vigilantes and Operation Rainbow.
Joseph stressed that insecurity has direct consequences on the farming season. “It is only he who is secure that can go to his farm. Our people are living in fear due to kidnappings. Without security, economic development is impossible,” he noted.
He urged the state government, in collaboration with federal authorities, to ramp up efforts in securing local communities to ensure a fruitful farming season and broader economic stability.
Also speaking, Mahwash Dakol James, PYC Chairman of Bokkos LGA and CWC member, moved a motion drawing attention to repeated attacks in his local government. “This is a cry from our people. I’ve attended over ten security meetings this year alone. I even submitted a petition to the DIG of Police more than a month ago. Yet, nothing has been done,” he lamented.
He warned that the patience of the youth is wearing thin, stating that the community has consistently restrained from retaliatory actions, hoping for government intervention. “We are still calling on the government to act fast,” he added.
Mahwash clarified that the conflict in Bokkos is not religious, but stems from land disputes involving settlers and indigenous communities. “They are attempting to forcefully take over our ancestral lands. Our traditions are at risk, and even the cultural objectives of the Plateau Youth Council are being threatened,” he said.
He called for the immediate halt of what he described as an encroachment, stating that while freedom of movement is a right, it must not infringe on local peace. “For now, we don’t have peace in Bokkos, and freedom of movement should be restricted in that context,” he emphasized.
In his response, Speaker Rt. Hon. Amos Aseno underscored the importance of the motions raised, particularly on security, which he said has generated widespread concern among the youth and across the Plateau citizenry.
He affirmed the parliament’s readiness to address pressing issues affecting the state and reiterated the council’s commitment to serving as a proactive legislative arm for Plateau youth.
“Let our legacy be one of impact, not just presence,” Aseno concluded.
Martha Kandawa-Schulz, Namibia’s Cartagena Protocol National Focal Point, died in Yerevan, Armenia, while participating in the ongoing United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17).
Ms Kandawa-Schulz, a professor, died on 23 October, according to a statement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat issued Sunday evening.
She was serving as Co-Chair of the Contact Group on Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Living Modified Organisms at the conference.
In a message to delegates, the Secretariat described her as a highly respected colleague whose dedication, expertise, and leadership contributed significantly to the Convention and its Protocols, as well as to the global biosafety community.
It said her commitment and collegiality had earned her the respect and appreciation of colleagues who had the privilege of working with her.
The Secretariat extended its condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and the Government and people of Namibia.
It also expressed sympathy to the African Group and others mourning her death.
“The Presidency and the Secretariat are working closely together to support her family and the Namibian delegation on site, and to facilitate the necessary arrangements,” the statement said.
The Secretariat also announced that a book of condolences would be available to delegates from 13:00 on Monday at Entrance 2, near the Asia-Pacific Room, for those wishing to pay their respects.
It urged delegates to honour Ms Kandawa-Schulz’s memory and recognise her contributions to the shared objectives of the Convention.
ALSO READ: CBD COP17: Nigeria, six others each win $50,000 grant for biodiversity projects
The circumstances surrounding her death were not stated, although reports indicate that she collapsed during her engagement in the working group meeting on Friday.
CBD COP17 is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing together governments and other stakeholders to deliberate on global biodiversity conservation and the implementation of the Convention and its associated protocols.
Government representatives, delegates, scientists, civil society representatives and researchers, among others, from nearly 196 countries are participating in the conference.
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From discovering new books and organizing your reading list to tracking your reading goal and sharing recommendations, book apps make it easier to maintain reading as a hobby. There are numerous apps on the market that promise to do just that, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the best ones to help you pick the right one for you. Whether you’re an occasional reader or a dedicated bookworm, these apps can help you make the most of your reading journey.
Some of the apps on this list are somewhat new, while others have been around for a few years. Amazon-owned Goodreads, which is arguably the most popular book-related app, isn’t included in this list because we’re focusing on newer, lesser-known platforms.
Fable
Fable is a reading app that combines book tracking with a social platform. It lets you organize reading lists, set reading goals, track streaks, write reviews, and join virtual book clubs. You also get personalized book recommendations and the chance to discuss what you’re reading with other readers.
The app differs from others on this list because it puts reading and community at the forefront of the platform, which makes it a great option for people who like staying motivated to read by being part of a community and discussing their reads.
Fable is free to download on iOS and Android, but also offers a Fable Plus subscription tier that unlocks additional features like custom goals and advanced analytics for a monthly fee of $5.99.
Bookshelf
Bookshelf is a reading app designed to help people organize their libraries, discover new books, and remember more of what they read. The app positions itself as an alternative to Goodreads, and combines traditional reading logs with AI-powered recommendations and tools.
You can create custom shelves, set reading goals, receive reminders, save favorite quotes, and access AI-generated book summaries, key insights, and thematic analyses to recall the books you’ve read and get a deeper understanding of them.
Bookshelf is free to download on iOS, but offers a $6.99 monthly fee to unlock premium features like unlimited collections and enhanced analytics.
Pagebound
Pagebound is a book app that lets readers track their books, create lists, set goals, and discuss individual titles in dedicated forums. Instead of having to join an actual book club group, users can post reactions and thoughts to connect with others reading the same title.
You don’t have to worry about spoilers for the end of the book, as conversations are organized based on reading progress, allowing readers to share theories and thoughts as they read. The app is a great option for people who want to discuss their reads with others without having to commit to a scheduled book club.
Pagebound is free to download on iOS and Android and offers a $9.99 monthly subscription for added features like profile customization.
StoryGraph
StoryGraph is a reading app that lets users track their reading, discover new books, and access detailed reading statistics and personalized recommendations. Users can set reading goals, join reading challenges, and find new titles based on their preferred moods, themes, genres, and pacing.
The app is ideal for readers who want to better understand their reading habits and discover books that match their current interests. Its recommendation system doesn’t solely rely on what’s popular or trending, and instead caters to exactly what readers are looking for.
StoryGraph is free to use on iOS and Android, but also offers a paid subscription called StoryGraph Plus that costs $4.99 per month and unlocks custom charts, additional statistics, and more.
Margins
Margins is a great option for mood readers, as it offers mood-based discovery alongside a more focused reading experience. It helps users find their next read based on how they feel in the moment by searching for specific vibes, such as “books like 1920s Paris.” Users can also track their reading goals.
The app also lets users customize their virtual library by choosing book covers that match their aesthetic and organizing their shelves in different ways, including by color. For users who enjoy a more immersive experience, Margins offers a built-in “Reading Time” meditation timer that blocks social media apps.
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