President Bola Tinubu has announced the convening of a 30-day national youth conference in a bold move aimed at addressing the challenges facing Nigeria’s youth .
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the event will serve as a platform for the country’s young population to engage in meaningful dialogue and contribute to nation-building.
This was disclosed during Tinubu’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary broadcast on Tuesday.
The President emphasized that the confab would focus on galvanizing the creative energy of the youth, who make up more than 60 percent of the Nigerian population, to tackle the various challenges they face in education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice.
This marks Tinubu’s second Independence Day broadcast since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
“We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognizing that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the initiative was not only about engaging the youth but also about empowering them to become active participants in shaping the policies that impact their lives.
The 30-day conference, he added, would provide a crucial platform for young Nigerians to propose solutions to the many obstacles they face and to develop strategies for improving their opportunities and overall well-being.
The modalities for the confab and the selection of delegates, he assured, would be designed in close consultation with the youth through their representatives.
Tinubu described the conference as a necessary step towards ensuring that the aspirations of the youth are at the core of Nigeria’s future development.
He stated that the outcomes and recommendations from the confab would not be ignored, as his administration remains committed to implementing policies that promote inclusion, prosperity, and unity across the nation.
“This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people,” the President said.
“By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.”
The President further stated that the government would actively consider the recommendations from the conference, ensuring that youth-driven policies form part of his administration’s broader efforts to foster national development.
The announcement of the youth confab comes at a time when the Nigerian youth have repeatedly called for greater involvement in policy-making and decision-making processes.
With more than 60 percent of the population under the age of 35, many believe that the country’s future depends largely on how well its youth are prepared to take on leadership and development roles.
By providing this platform, Tinubu’s administration is signaling a shift towards recognizing the critical role of youth in national development.
The President underscored that the youth must be equipped and empowered to take ownership of their future.
Some of the key areas expected to dominate discussions at the conference include unemployment, which has plagued Nigeria’s youth for years, with the country’s jobless rate currently among the highest in Africa.
Education will also be a major focus, especially with the recent industrial actions by university unions and the underfunding of tertiary institutions.
Security concerns, particularly the growing spate of youth involvement in criminal activities such as internet fraud and armed robbery, are also expected to take center stage.
Innovation and social justice will be equally significant, as the conference looks to inspire young Nigerians to become pioneers in technology and entrepreneurship while advocating for a fairer and more equitable society.
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