The Honourable Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has emphasised the need for coaction and capacity building in driving the nation’s development agenda.
During an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, Olawande emphasised the critical role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s future, noting they make up 60% of the population.
“The future of this country lies in the hands of its youth,” he declared.
“We don’t have any other country but Nigeria, and it is our responsibility to make it work.
”Expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a youth to head the Ministry of Youth Development, Olawande pledged to make the ministry a hub of transformation.
“For the first time since 1999, we have a youth-driven ministry, and this is our chance to make a difference,” he said.
Transforming Initiatives for Real Impact.
The Minister announced plans to revive the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps, transforming them into hubs for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship.
He noted that the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED will not be abolished but improved on.
“Enough is enough,” Olawande stated. “No one should spend a year in service without gaining something valuable.
Things must change, and they will.”Additionally, Olawande promised to revitalize the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), ensuring accessibility and fairness for all registered participants.
“You don’t need to know me or anyone to benefit from the fund. We will ensure transparency and accountability, that is the legacy President Bola Tinubu is trying to lay down,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted plans to revive the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centres (CLTC), dormant since the 1960s, to nurture leadership skills among young Nigerians.
“These centres will play a pivotal role in building the leaders of tomorrow,” he noted.
Leveraging Opportunities in Key Sectors
Olawande identified key sectors, including agriculture, sports, entertainment, and ICT, as areas with immense potential for job creation and youth empowerment.
“We will collaborate with private investors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to unlock opportunities in these sectors,” he said.
He further emphasized the ministry’s commitment to capacity building, positioning it as a cornerstone of youth development.
“The Ministry of Youth Development will be synonymous with innovation and talent development. We are here to hunt for talent, foster creativity, and drive collaboration across all sectors,” Olawande added.
Call To Action
The Minister called on all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society, to unite in addressing the challenges faced by the youth.
No angels will descend to solve our problems. It is up to us to renew hope through actionable steps. We really want to put our diversity aside.“It is time to renew the hope.
Not by paper, but by action. Not by word of mouth, but by what we put into it.“And the President has given the platform to us. And we are telling you, we are making it open to you… that we are ready for this business. We are ready.
We are ready to make this happen. We are ready to walk in line with you. We are ready to listen to you.“Let us come together, pool our resources, and move forward for the progress of Nigeria’s youth.”In closing, Olawande urged Nigerians to support the ministry’s vision.
“Together, we can build a brighter future for our youth. My message is simple: we need you. Let us work together to make this vision a reality.
”This renewed focus on youth empowerment under Olawande’s leadership promises to bring tangible change, fostering innovation, skills development, and opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.
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