Since he was inaugurated as the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has been up and doing to ensure that the Nigerian youths have a cause to smile in the President Bola Tinubu renewed hope government. It all started with the ministry’s plan to introduce an internship programme in the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC). The aim is to enhance practical skills and employability of youths and bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world work experience.
The minister was also at the launch and commissioning of Amal Technologies in Abuja. No doubt, the vision of Amal Technologies Limited hinges on youths empowerment which aligns closely with the desire of the minister to empower youths through cutting-edge training and fostering the enabling environment for youths creativity and innovation to thrive. The minister has also expressed his ministry’s readiness to collaborate with Dream Against Prison and Youth Foundation to meaningfully impact the lives of young inmates in the correctional centres in Nigeria.
In continuation of his busy schedules geared towards youths development, Olawande attended National Young Lawyers Forum annual meeting at NBA National Headquarters, Abuja. The minister, during his presentation, delved into the need for technology as an enabler of good governance. He harped on the about to be launched Nigerian youths Academy (NIYA) which will drive the 1 youth 2 skills initiative of the ministry. The minister also promised to harness youths initiative within and outside the ministry of youths development as a measure of accountability to the Nigerian youths.
In addition, during a meeting with the leadership of the National Youths Forum, a body made up all youths leaders of registered political parties in Nigeria, who paid him a visit, led by its chairman, Ambassador Muhammad Auwal Musa, the minister unveiled a lot of policies for youths development. He said, there are ongoing plans to strengthen the Nigerian youths to ensure that they are equipped to fix the country. The ministry of youths development is spearheading initiatives to compel every young person in the country to have at least two skills they can market.
No doubt, the ministry will soon roll out initiatives like Nigeria Youths Academy, a platform for youths to acquire both soft and hard skills and be linked with potential employers, establishment of Nigerian youths radio and television to foster deeper engagements, youth start up competition, youths entrepreneurship support programmes as well as the targeted engagements with Nigerian youth.
To match his words with actions, the minister was in Borno state for engagements tour. He visited IDP camps and donated items on behalf of the federal government. This year, Nigerian youths should expect robust intervention programmes from the ministry. The minister has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he has come to implement the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, anchored on youths development.
The Nigerian youths should get ready to key into the programmes and policies that will transform their lives. Under the ministry’s policies, the issues of japa syndrome where many youths risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean sea will be fully addressed. In fact, myriad of opportunities will be created and be readily available for the youths to tap into.
The ministry has also rolled out policies aimed at checkmating the incidence of hard drug consumption among the youths. Ayodele Olawande deserves a pat on the back. Indeed, he has been championing the cause of Nigerian youths in various aspects of human endeavour.
Saminu Ibrahim Abdu,
Pambegua, Kaduna state
