By Emmanuel Obisue
Federal Government has called for the support of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, to implement the strategic plans of the Ministry of Youth Development which are aimed at providing young Nigerians with the necessary skills, mentorship, conducive environment and access to resources that will empower them to become active contributors to the country’s economy.
Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, made this call during a meeting with the Resident Representative of the UNDP, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, in her Office in Abuja.
While shedding light on the strategic areas of the ministry’s agenda, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim said, “Our strategic ambition is to transform and reposition the Nigerian youth as catalysts for economic development. Young people must be an integral part of this process. We have other sub-ambitions, the first being a reduction in the youth unemployment rate, followed by an increase in youth possessing skills that are in line with global demand, and an increase in youth participation in social and economic development.”
“Our core tactical initiatives are focused on four pillars: Governance, Jobs and Skills Innovation, Culture and Behavioral Change, and Human Capital Development. These pillars aim to guide policy advocacy and development, improve coordination across stakeholders, and provide multi-agency youth programs and resources,” she added.
The minister also disclosed plans to revitalize the National Youth Investment Fund launch, the Young Leaders Institute, implement social, behavioral, and cultural change programmes aimed at tackling youth-related issues such as climate change, gender, mental health, drug, and substance abuse.
“We are currently seeking approval to create additional professional departments. However, the one that is particularly important to us is the Youth Well-being Department. It is crucial to create such a department because when young people have good mental health, they are more likely to be productive. Therefore, our goal is to prioritize the well-being of our youth,” the minister said.
Earlier in her remarks, the Resident Representatives of UNDP gave the assurance that her organisation would provide support for the initiatives.
She lamented that the African continent is facing a daunting challenge of young people struggling to find jobs, leading to frustration and the growing trend of moving abroad. She pointed out that it was high time to delve deeper into the root causes of the problem and take a more realistic approach towards youth empowerment and job creation.
“We must create more opportunities and find jobs for our people, as merely providing them with starter packs or training won’t solve it. We need to identify the obstacles that hold us back and tackle them head-on. Let’s work together to eradicate this problem and create a brighter future for our youth and our continent.
“In the four pillars, we will encourage everyone to think outside the box and explore innovative practices that align with the ever-changing world,” she added.
