Speakers at a one day youth empowerment programme initiative organised by Healing Heart Foundation in Lagos with the theme, “I’d rather be the boss”, have advised Nigerian youths to imbibe the culture of getting vocational training, in addition to their course of studies in order to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.

From his facial expression, it was obvious that all was not well with 69-year-old Peter Ikeagwuani, as he walked into the corporate headquarters of Vanguard, Lagos that Monday.

THE gathering was an unusual one as it featured only the aged at a venue in the Oke-Afa area of Lagos to celebrate the 51st anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. The event was put together by a non-governmental organisation, Centre for Happy Elderly People, CHEP, under the leadership of Deaconess Lilian Jiringho.

The scene was one of horror. It evoked both empathy and sympathy. The wailing and shouting from sympathisers, passers-by, on-lookers, and volunteers reached the high heavens. Reason being that a tragedy of staggering magnitude had struck, leaving over 10 persons instantly dead and over 20 people badly injured.

The incessant violent conflicts between farmers and castle rearers along the borders of Benue and Nassarawa states, may soon be over as the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, says it has succeeded in bringing relevant stakeholders together to find lasting solutions to the problem and prevent further losses of lives and property in the area.