The signal said the raid, which involved six platoons of 49 soldiers each, was led by the unit commander and supported by one armoured personnel carrier (APC), a gun truck, and six Hilux vehicles.
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The signal said the raid, which involved six platoons of 49 soldiers each, was led by the unit commander and supported by one armoured personnel carrier (APC), a gun truck, and six Hilux vehicles.
ArticlesRead More
Universal Insurance Grows Premium to N15.3bn, Strengthens Balance Sheet
Stories by Ebere Nwoji
Universal Insurance Plc, said it has once again delivered a solid financial result for the financial year ended 31st December 2024.
Chairman of the company, Jasper Nduagwuike, disclosed this during the company’s 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Lagos.
He said that the company’s gross written premium rose by customers trust in our service.
He said insurance revenue appreciated to N13.8 billion in 2024 as against N8.02 billion reported in the previous year of 2023, representing 72 percent increase.
He attributed this to the company’s ability to balance prudent underwriting with innovation and ensuring it meets the needs of customers while safeguarding long-term profitability.
Profit before tax rose by 291.26 per cent to N2.01 billion as against N526.716 million in 2023 while insurance service result grew to N2.79 billion from N1.54 billion.
On the company’s balance sheet, he said total assets expanded from N15.7 billion in 2023 to N20.3 billion in 2024, while shareholders fund went up from N10.4 billion to N 13.2 billion in the previous year of 2023.
Stories by Ebere Nwoji Universal Insurance Plc, said it has once again delivered a solid financial result for the financial year ended 31st December 2024. Chairman of the company, Jasper Nduagwuike,
THE YOUTHS AND GROWING DISTORTIONS IN VALUES
One of the most frightening and saddening realities unfolding among the youths in northern Nigeria today is a growing distortion in values and perception. Many young people, the educated, semi-educated, and uneducated alike, have come to see life, events, and human actions through three narrow prisms: that every action must be driven by personal gain, that almost everything revolves around politics, and that true success can only be achieved through attachment to someone in public office.
This mindset has become so deep-rooted that when an individual contributes to the development of their community, by initiating projects, offering scholarships, or providing assistance to the needy, many young people quickly conclude that such a person is merely preparing to contest for political office. In their eyes, every good deed must have a political motive.
Worse still, many youths now find it difficult to differentiate between professional services offered to public office holders and acts of politicking or sycophancy. For instance, a consultant working professionally with a politician is often labeled a “bootlicker,” while the idea of honest professional engagement is completely lost on them.
Another dangerous belief that has taken root is the misconception that survival depends on constant handouts from those in positions of authority. Many young people expect political office holders to provide them with free money or favors as a means of livelihood. This culture of dependency has weakened the entrepreneurial spirit and hard work that once defined northern society. Instead of seeking skills, opportunities, and innovation, a large number of youths now wait for patronage from politicians who, in turn, exploit this vulnerability for personal political advantage.
Sadly, only a few young people , particularly the truly and properly educated and enlightened ones, still believe in self-reliance, hard work, and small-scale entrepreneurship. These few understand that dignity and progress come not from begging or political attachment, but from creativity, persistence, and self-belief.
Northern Nigeria’s future depends on changing this dangerous mindset. Youths must be encouraged to embrace self-reliance, value education for its purpose, and see success as the product of effort rather than connections. Families, schools, community leaders, and governments have a duty to reorient the youth, to teach them that empowerment is not a gift handed down from the powerful, but a goal achieved through discipline, innovation, and perseverance.
People now in their late 40s, 50s, and 60s must surely be living in shock and deep concern when they reflect on their own youthful years, marked by commitment, hard work, and respect to elders, and compare them with the current attitudes and behaviors of many young people in northern Nigeria today.
Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja
One of the most frightening and saddening realities unfolding among the youths in northern Nigeria today is a growing distortion in values and perception. Many young people, the educated, semi-educated,
