Since the time he was inaugurated as Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has been up and doing to ensure Nigerian youths have cause to smile under the Tinubu’s renewed agenda. It started with the ministry’s plan to introduce an internship program in the National Youth 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. The vision of Amal technologies limited hinges on youth empowerment which aligns closely with the desire of the minister to empower youths through cutting-edge training and fostering the enabling environment for creativity and innovation. 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.
Besides, in continuation of his busy schedule geared towards youth development, Ayodele 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, harping on the about to be launched Nigerian Youths Academy (NIYA) which will drive the skill initiative of the ministry. The minister also promised to harness youths’ initiative within and outside the ministry as a measure of accountability to the Nigerian youth. In addition he met with the leadership of the National Youths Forum, a body made up of all youth leaders of registered political parties in Nigeria. Led by its chairman, Ambassador Muhammad Auwal Musa, the minister said lots of policies for youth development are in the pipeline. He said there are ongoing plans to strengthen the Nigerian youths to ensure that they are equipped to fix the country. The ministry is spearheading initiatives to compel every young person to have at least two skills they can market.
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; the establishment of Nigerian youths radio and television to foster deeper engagements, youth start up competition, youth entrepreneurship support programs as well as the targeted engagements with the youths. To match his words with action, the minister was in Borno State on engagement tour. He visited IDPs camp and donated items on behalf of federal government. This year, Nigerian youths should expect robust intervention programs from the ministry. The minister has proven beyond reasonable doubt he has come to implement the renewed agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is anchored on youth development.
Saminu Ibrahim Abdu, Pambegua, kaduna State
