President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has given an insight into his administration’s programmes for youths when it comes onboard on May 29.
He spoke during the 2023 Commonwealth Youth and Students’ Summit in Abuja, with the theme ‘Co-creating our Common Future Leadership in the Digital Age in Africa.”
Tinubu, who was represented by the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, said greater inclusivity in governance for youths was important for the future of the country.
Tinubu said: “Nigeria, nay Africa, will continue to invest in her youths. We will unfold programmes and initiatives that are beneficial to our youths in the areas of Youths Advisory Council, Presidential Fellowship Scheme, Business Incubation Centres, MSME Academy, Consumer Credit and Sports Revolution. Greater inclusivity in governance for our youth now is important for our future. I was once a youth, and I know and see the boundless creative energies, innovative skills, entrepreneurship spirit and potentials of our youths. And the time to invest in them is now.
“I urge you all to network, collaborate and partner as young people across the African continent because you share the same passions and are also confronted with similar challenges – unemployment, insecurity, lack of credit and finance, poor education and lack of opportunities.”
The President-elect called on the youths to join him with their various governments in creating a safe and secure environment for all ‘as there can be no growth or development without security and peace’. He reiterated the need to work together to create a safe and secure environment for ‘ourselves and our communities’.
He added: “We cannot talk about growth and development without addressing security and peace. Without a sense of safety, we cannot attract the massive investment required to turbocharge this continent. Yes, we have trillions of cubic litres of gas trapped under the rich soil. Yes, iron ore, gold, diamonds, and other precious metals litter the surface of our Africa. But, without peace, we will continue to be robbed of this wealth by actors who are skilled in turning black people against one another for their own gain.
“We must work together to create safe and secure environments for ourselves and our communities. We must reject violence and extremism and promote peace and harmony. We must also work to create a united front against external threats and challenges.
“Unity is crucial for Africa’s success. We must work together to promote cooperation, collaboration, and solidarity. We must break down the barriers that divide us and build bridges of understanding and trust. We must also promote inclusivity and ensure that everyone has a seat at the table. We must set high goals for ourselves and work tirelessly to achieve them. We must also support and encourage each other in our pursuits. We must reject the limiting beliefs that hold us back and embrace our full potential.”
President Muhammadu Buhari, who opened the summit, urged the youths to hone their leadership skills and make relevant contributions to the decision-making process, especially on issues that bother on their development and welfare.
President Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said his administration was conscious of the fact that a positive force for societal development resided in young people, and thus called on the comity of the Commonwealth Nations to give them the opportunity and support to enable them exhibit their talent and energy in line with the noble ideas which the Commonwealth represents.
“Nigeria, as a firm believer in the capabilities of young people is hosting the Summit to create a platform for the youths to network, collaborate and foster sustainable learning environment, as well as promote youth development in institutions within the Commonwealth,” he said.
He assured that the federal government, as a member of the Commonwealth, will continuously create an enabling environment for the youth to blossom and reach their potentials.
The President expressed optimism that with the breed of young people at the summit, actionable policy-decisions that will further enhance development and productivity of the youth will not only be reached but will also address the world of challenges and opportunities open to the Commonwealth Youth, especially those in Africa which is technologically driven”
President Buhari therefore called on the youth, who are the leaders of the Digital Revolution, to align their knowledge of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and the likes, with investment in ideas, skills and enterprise so as to ensure the socio-economic development of the Region.
Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, noted that the declaration of Year 2023 as the year of the Youth, as pronounced in Kigali, was both timely and instructive.
He explained that the African youths have come of age and cannot be ignored, noting that this can be validated with their exploits in various spheres of endeavour.
Dare, who commended President Buhari for hosting the Summit, urged the youth to look beyond political leadership to being in the forefront of creativity, science and technology, arts, sports and the whole gamut of human endeavour with a view to giving the African its pride of place in the comity of nations.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
