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2025 International Youth Day: FG Urges Nigerian Youth to Harness Local Skills for SDG Advancement

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By Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayoade Olawande, has called on Nigerian youths to harness and prioritise local skills as a catalyst for economic growth and national development.

He made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2025 International Youth Day celebration, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.”

Marked globally on August 12, International Youth Day celebrates the vital role of young people in advancing sustainable development worldwide.

Olawande stressed that young people remain central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

“We cannot reach these goals without the energy, creativity, and leadership of young people. In Nigeria, more than 60 per cent of our population is under the age of 25. That is not just a statistic — it is our greatest strength,” he said.

The minister noted that Nigerian youth are already driving transformative change in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, renewable energy, and digital technology. However, he acknowledged that many innovators face obstacles, particularly in funding and market access.

To address these gaps, Olawande said the ministry introduced the Innovation Funfair to connect young innovators with partners who can help them grow.

“Today’s activities — from innovation booths to pitch sessions, networking, masterclasses, and cultural showcases — are more than fun. They prove that Nigerian youth are ready to turn ideas into impact,” he added.

He further explained that going “beyond the SDGs” means equipping youth for the challenges of the future, not just the 2030 target, by fostering skills, creativity, and vision.

The ministry, he assured, is committed to strengthening youth policies, improving access to funding, and expanding global opportunities for young Nigerians. He also urged the private sector, donor agencies, and civil society to invest in youth-led innovation.

“Support the ideas you see today with funding, mentorship, and market access,” he appealed.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, pledged strategic partnerships to champion youth-led initiatives for economic and national growth. He pointed out that over 65 per cent of SDG targets are tied to local governance, making youth engagement essential.

“Sustainable development doesn’t begin in boardrooms; it begins with bold ideas, local innovation, and everyday actions by young people who dare to make a difference,” Olusanya said.

Also speaking, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the theme as particularly relevant given Nigeria’s youth-dominated population.

“Our youth are not just a future workforce — they are problem-solvers, innovators, and nation-builders today,” she said.

Attafuah praised young Nigerians for their contributions in areas such as aggrotech, digital innovation, peacebuilding through art, and climate action, while stressing the need to equip them with tools and platforms to lead change.

She reaffirmed UNDP’s continued investment in youth development across the country.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

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Joel Ajayi

 The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.


He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.


According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.


“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.


The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.


“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said. 


Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said. 


He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media. 


He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.


According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.


Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs. 


He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.


We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.


The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.


He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.


Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself. 


He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.


“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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