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Why Nigerian Youths must be creative, collaborate for nations development, Youth Minister
***Take advantage of Tinubu’s commitment to integrating their perspectives in policy-making
The Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande, has called on Nigerian youth to priotize on innovation and collaboration as vital tools for accelerating the country’s Socioeconomic development.
Speaking at the third edition of the African Youth Conference held in Abuja on Saturday, he also charged them to take advantage of the commitment of President Tinubu to integrating the youth’s perspectives in policy-making
Represented by Dotun Omoleye, Olawande the minister encouraged young Nigerians to recognize their significance in Nigeria’s progress, urging them to see themselves as key stakeholders in the nation’s development.
“The youths must look inward and see themselves as major drivers of national development,”
The Minister acknowledged the vital role of creativity in addressing contemporary challenges in Africa, highlighting the importance of young people as active participants in national development.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implemented initiatives like the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to empower young entrepreneurs with financial support, allowing them to launch businesses that tackle pressing issues.” Further, the Minister noted the unprecedented representation of youth in government positions, including senior cabinet roles, exemplifying that young people are already leaders today, not just the future leaders.
This involvement he said underscored the administration’s commitment to integrating youth perspectives in policymaking.
He indicated that creativity is crucial for developing sustainable solutions and that young minds are essential in identifying opportunities and driving innovation in the continent.
The Minister highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to empowering youth, not just as policy beneficiaries, but as active participants in the development process. He noted that young Nigerians possess untapped potential capable of contributing significantly to the country’s growth.
David Nwokorie, the convener of the African Youth Conference, also urged the youth to make the most of available resources, stressing the importance of collective action in realizing the Nigerian dream. “All hands must be on deck to realize the Nigerian dream,” he said.
He said the Africa Youth Conference, focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals and aims to unite young people from across Africa
He encouraged participants to share ideas and develop initiatives addressing current youth issues, emphasizing collaboration with governments.
The theme, “the creative mind, creating sustainable ideas for long-lasting solutions,” he said reflects the desire for youth to take initiative rather than relying solely on government action.
Nwokorie stressed the importance of youth responsibility and creativity, asserting that governments can only provide the right environment and support.
Other notable speakers, including Bitrus Lawrence Gariki, Mandate Secretary for FCT Area Council Services, and Chinezu Metu, a participant, echoed the call for government support in fostering an enabling environment for youth to thrive. They emphasized the need for young Nigerians to pursue innovative ventures that contribute to the nation’s socioeconomic progress.
The conference, themed “Creating Sustainable Ideas for Long-Lasting Solutions,” provided a platform for discussions on youth engagement and the pivotal role of innovation in national development.
It also facilitated interaction between young leaders and government representatives to discuss challenges and solutions for a better future in Nigeria
Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba, has passed away at the age of 84.
According to reports, he died peacefully on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary of the Egbira Elders Forum, confirmed the news, stating, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and leader, Prof. Tom A. Adaba, has answered the call of nature this morning. Further details about his burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Born on July 2, 1941, Prof. Adaba made significant contributions to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Between 1988 and 1992, he became the first Nigerian to serve as President of the African Council for Communication Education.
Despite calls for suspension from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police Force, the Osun State local government election proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede North Local Government Area, describing the process as peaceful and urging residents to exercise their franchise.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, cited a Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating sacked local government chairmen, while the police warned of potential security threats.
However, the Osun State government insisted on holding the election, emphasizing its commitment to obeying a court directive. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the polls.
Voting took place under tight security, with minimal commercial activity observed in Osogbo, the state capital.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, has indicated that Firmer President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the public presentation of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, The Journey of Service, held in Abuja on Thursday was not surprising.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s no-show was a result of unresolved bitterness over the 1985 coup, in which Babangida overthrew him and subsequently detained him.
According to Vatsa, Buhari may still harbor resentment, especially over being denied the chance to bid his late mother farewell while in detention.
“It Would Have Been the 9th Wonder of the World If Buhari Had Attended”
Vatsa claimed that Buhari’s absence was expected, given the deep-seated history between the two former leaders.
“The memory of the ‘mother of all betrayals’ has not left him. It would have been the ninth wonder of the world if Buhari had attended that book launch,” he said.
The APC chieftain also linked Buhari’s perceived neglect of Niger State during his eight-year presidency to his history with Babangida.
“The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and not a single federal project was executed here. The Baro Port project was abandoned, and federal roads across the state were left in disrepair,” Vatsa alleged.
He claimed that despite the overwhelming votes Buhari received from Niger State in 2015 and 2019, the state was sidelined due to the personal history between the former presidents.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Niger State paid for the sin of one man,” he lamented.
When asked for his opinion on the contents of IBB’s autobiography, Vatsa said he would reserve his comments until he has read and digested the book fully.
“There are certain things I expected to see in the book. Once I am done reading, I will invite you all for my comments,” he stated.
The book launch attracted several high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Yakubu Gowon, as well as former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Other dignitaries included former Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo, alongside traditional rulers and state governors.
Buhari’s absence, however, remained a major talking point, reinforcing speculations that the 1985 coup remains a sore point in Nigeria’s political history.
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