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APRM Charges Youth Vanguard On Development Of Africa

Published

3 years ago

March 23, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Chief Executive Officer, Continental Secretariat African Peer Review Mechanism APRM Prof. Eddy Maloka has called on youth in Africa to be selfless, dedicated, exemplary leadership toward the development of Africa.

This even as the APRM launches youth vanguard unit in Nigeria to enable Nigerian Youths’ engagement with their Continental counterparts in the areas of Good Governance and Sustainable Development.

He stated this on Monday at the ongoing second review of APRM and official launching of Youth Vanguard unit in Nigeria urged them to be selfless, dedicated, and asks them to be exemplary leadership to their watchword.

Prof. Maloka said Africa must leverage on the potential and ingenuity of its youth for it to grow, saying Africa can’t grow without youth.

The launching had the theme “African Youth: The Hope of Good Governance” and the Pioneer Members were inspired with words of encouragement from the Continental and National Structures of APRM.

He commended Nigerian Youths for their determination to contribute their quota towards Continental development.

“We are happy to launch APRM Nigeria Youth Vanguard because the Vanguards are the most dedicated, selfless exemplary Youths in the Continent.

“We look forward to collaboration between APRM Nigeria Youth Vanguard and the APRM Youth Network to promote synergy and effectiveness among African Youths youth are the strength of nation, I want Africa to know that without youth continent may not grow.”

Maloka expressed he looked forward to their active participation in subsequent Continental Youth Programmes.

Speaking on the ongoing Second Review Process of Nigeria, the Continental Boss said “the Continent awaits the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) so that others can learn from things the country is doing well and its efforts in surmounting the challenges.

“APRM is not to shame any nation or beautify it, rather to see itself in the mirror, identify its growth and do the needful where necessary”.

Earlier in her address, Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu, Chief Executive Officer, APRM Nigeria said the Youth Vanguard was borne out of several engagements between APRM Secretariat and the Youths across the Country.

Akobundu, who is also National Coordinator, African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development ( AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria set the event on motion saying “The Youth Population in Nigeria is huge and cannot be neglected, that is why we have to bring them on a platform that can be used to compete positively and actively with their counterparts in the continent.

“The Youth Vanguard will be used to propagate mandates of APRM to the Youths in various sectors of the economy and at all levels of governance, especially at the grassroots.

“Through the Vanguard, we will further expose students in various levels of learning, from Universities to Secondary Schools in the country to `Good Governance and Development’ so that they will imbibe it and promote it wherever they go.

“That will help us achieve `Nigeria We Want’ and `Africa We Want’ as enshrined in African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030.

“Don’t forget they are the future leaders and by the time they become leaders they will be able to further promote core values of APRM- Good Governance and Positive Development.”

She mentioned various efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to give sense of belongings to Nigerian Youths, including signing into law `Not Too Young To Run’ Bill in 2018 which further widened the net for Youths participation in governance in the country.

Also, Member, National Governing Council (NGC) APRM Nigeria Dr. Louis Mandama, urged the Youths to embrace APRM Values so that they could be part of Nigeria’s efforts to berth `Africa We Want’.

On his remark, Leader of APRM Nigeria Youth Vanguard Ambassador Michael Chukwuemeka, said the Association would hit the ground running.

“We are ready to engage our peers at the urban and grassroots on the need to actively participate in good governance and strategic development of our country and the continent at large.

“Nigeria’s Youth Vanguard will surely add positive value to youth’s involvement in the realization of AU- Agenda 2063 ‘Africa We Want.”

The launching Coincided with visit by APRM Continental Support Mission Team’s visit to Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House on Monday.

Prof. Maloka led the Continental Team; Hon. Akobundu led the APRM Nigeria’s Secretariat while Dr. Mandama led the NGC Members.

Others on the visit to Villa include: Ejigayhu Tefera, Research Analyst, APRM Continental Secretariat; and Dr. Ugo Beke, Member, NGC, APRM Nigeria.

The Continental Mission came to discuss with APRM National Secretariat and NGC on CSAR and preparedness of Nigeria to receive the Country Review Mission (CRM), a mandatory visit to validate the CSAR in the APRM Process.

Mrs. Adefunke Adimula, Director, APRM Department,, her colleagues, Mssrs. Charles Ibezimako, Maxwell Zacheus, Abdulrashid Giwa and Muhammad Argungu of Planning, Research and Statistics(PRS); Programme Development and Implementation (PDI); Human Resources Management (HRM); and Accounts Departments respectively were on ground at the launching.

Other members of Management and staff of AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria,, and the Media were present at the launching.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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