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Over One Million Nigerian Youths To Benefit From NYSP – Youth Minister

Published

3 months ago

June 12, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has disclosed that over one million young Nigerians will benefit from the National Youth Skills Program (NYSP) to avail them with the skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.

Ibrahim gave the disclosure in Abuja during the 25th Nigeria Democracy Day Anniversary Youth Program organized to celebrate the country’s 25th Democracy Day, with the theme: “25 Years of Enduring Democracy: Prospects for the Future.”

She revealed that the Ministry is currently drafting bills for the National Assembly to institutionalize a 30 percent youth quota, restructure the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), and establish the National Youth Fund (NYF).

“These legislative actions will solidify Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and ensure sustainable development”, she explained.

According to the Minister, the restructured Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) will commence its call for entries by June 30, 2024, adding that the ministry has already streamlined the process to ensure more young entrepreneurs can access the funds they need to innovate and create jobs.

Ibrahim stated further that the National Youth Skills Program (NYSP) and the implementation of the NYSC reforms will also begin by July 30, 2024, explaining that the reforms will integrate skill development and entrepreneurship into the service year, making it more impactful and economically beneficial for the graduates.

“The Youth Development Bank will be launched by August 30th, 2024. This bank will provide tailored financial services to youth-led ventures, supporting innovative ideas and business growth.”, Jamila added.

Regarding the Young Leaders’ Institute, the Minister declared that the institute will be launched by August 30th, 2024 to nurture the next generation of Nigerian leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to excel.

“The future of Nigeria is in your hands, and together, we will build a nation where the achievements of young people are the norm, not the exception. Let us move forward confidently, knowing that our plans are strategic, our implementation is diligent, and our commitment to empowering the youth is unwavering,” she added.

The Special guest at the event, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe in his goodwill message, expressed sincere gratitude to the Minister for her forward-thinking initiatives and well-crafted policies aimed at empowering and preparing the youth to assume significant leadership roles in the future. He said the initiative indicates that the younger generation is enthusiastic and ready to take charge by embracing forward-thinking concepts and leveraging modern technology, even though their generation may not have had prior exposure to it.

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Ahmed Umar, said that the Federal Government is fully committed to ensuring the successful implementation of all youth development programs.

He emphasized that these programmes are poised to bring about a positive and tangible impact on the lives of the youth thereby catalyzing a transformative change in their well-being and future prospects.

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Nigeria Will Take Good Shape In No Distant Time- Olawande

Published

5 hours ago

September 16, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has urged the citizens of the country to be patient with the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in transforming the lives of its citizens through various policies and programs of the federal government.

The Minister made this submission while delivering his speech at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch. This is the first edition since both Ministries of Youth and Sports had been damaged. The JUNC week which was held at Atiku Hall, Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja had its theme: “The working people in a volatile, uncertain, and complex economy”

In the words of the Honourable Minister: “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take good shape and the lives of its citizens will be transformed”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a pauper, he is an acknowledged epitome of wealth, and so it cannot be said of him that he desires to loot the treasury of Nigeria. He has seen money and as a result of this, he is not interested in looting the nation’s treasury”, Olawande explained.

He emphasized that “leadership is all about being committed to serve. If you are a Minister now, tomorrow you will be addressed as a former Minister, likewise a Director because there is no permanent position but the impact that you made while in that office will speak after you”, the Minister reiterated.

Olawande expressed his gratitude to the workers of the Ministry for being supportive of the government policies and programs. He promised that the welfare of the staff would not be compromised, adding that workers deserve remuneration for being hardworking.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya admonished the staff of the Ministry to put in their best as “Performance Management System” which replaces APER is the criteria to be used for promotion effective next year. This, according to him is because the Performance Management System (PMS) records the best efforts and input of each staff which will in turn be used to grade such staff.

Olusanya who disclosed that the welfare of the staff is his priority as workers deserve the best for the services rendered. He opined that “the hungry man is angry and as a worker, if you are not treated fairly and properly, it is impossible to get the best out of you. As a result, all staff will be treated properly as motivation to propel the best in you”, he concluded.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, in her address, informed that the activity to reinvigorate the Civil Service in a bid to ensure that Civil Servants carry out their duties with much diligence to have efficient and incorruptible civil service is currently on course. She advised workers to wake up and be committed to the service of the nation.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jerry Akume, the General Secretary of the Union expressed his delight in celebrating this year’s edition of the Union week, while highlighting the achievements of the union so far. These include:

Upward review of staff welfare, prompt payment of repatriation allowances, payment of first 28 days allowance, assistance to the sick, general training of staff, and sending forth/retirement package for retired staff.

He also appealed to the Management of the Ministry, saying that irrespective of the aforementioned achievements, a lot still needs to be done in such areas as procurement of staff buses, upward review of welfare payment for festive periods, consistent general staff training, and procurement of office and work materials.

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