By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Federal Government has called on Youths to champion national progress, unity and collective prosperity for citizens as Nigeria joins the world to celebrate International Youth Day 2023.
This can be achieved through the utilisation of various youth initiatives, programmes and policies put together by government to enable them contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, gave the charge in Abuja over the weekend, during the commemoration of the 2023 International Youth Day (IYD).
Alhaji Ismaila urged them to spearhead efforts aimed at achieving the highest quality of sustainable development, which will shapen the future of the nation in conformity with the policy thrust of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration, which he said, include the agenda of expanding green job opportunities and advocating for renewable energy solutions as an integral part of Nigeria’s current and future energy evolution.
In tandem with the theme of this year’s event: *“Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World,”* the Permanent Secretary assured that the Ministry will ensure the full implementation of the various policy initiatives and programmes aimed at creating meaningful opportunities for Nigerian Youths.
Alhaji Ismaila added, “these include job creation, education, skills development, digital innovation, financial technology and youth participation in governance.
The Permanent Secretary explained that youth empowerment is a fundamental pillar of all reform actions that is often implemented across sectors by governments in order to create an enabling environment where the youths in the country can thrive and contribute to the growth and economic development of the nation.
He acknowledged the growing interest and impact of many young Nigerians in technology-related fields the world over, and assured further that the Ministry is committed to skills development of the youths especially, in the area of digital economy, not only to uplift them to becoming self reliant but also, employers of labour.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Acting Mandate Secretary, FCTA, Mrs Justina Pawa, stated that the youths are the greatest assets of any nation and as such, are torch bearers of the future, if given the right orientation.
She noted, therefore, that they will birth a guaranteed future for the country.
In his goodwill message, the Representative of the Director General, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mohammed Momoh, expressed optimism that the focus of this year’s Celebration will open a new vista for youth development, and thus called on them to eschew violence, cyber crimes and other social vices, for the betterment of the society.
Also speaking, the Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Babatunde Adelekan, pledged the Organisation’s commitment towards partnering with the government in putting up sustainable structures that will build up the youths, not only to champion national progress but also promote unity and collective prosperity for the benefit of the citizens.
The Director, Network and Social Mobilisation Department, Mrs Amina Daura, thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Management and Staff of the Ministry, Development Partners as well as Stakeholders for making the 2023 IYD a memorable occasion.
