Joel Ajayi

The Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim has urged the Federal Government to give Nigerian Youths the “actual power” to participate in decision making in the country.
Jamila made this appeal on Friday in Abuja while receiving a team of delegates from National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies(NIPSS), Kuru, Jos who paid her a courtesy visit in her office.
Jamila who stressed the importance of involving the Youths in decision making in the country, further explained that this goes beyond just empowering them to take charge of their lives and improve their access to resources.

According to the Minister, this will enhance rapid development both in policy making and financial autonomy for nation building.

As an immediate response to this agenda, the Minister further stated that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight point agenda which includes youth development, the Ministry of youth development has made a strong case for a 30% inclusion of youth in both policy and cabinet formation at all tiers of government. According to her, this will give more than 60% youth population in the country a sense of belonging while reducing crime and restiveness among the youth.

While indicating the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with NIPPS,
Jamila Ibrahim also emphasized the concluded arrangements of the Ministry of Youth Development to visit all the youth centers across the country for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the challenges as well as looking into how interventions can be made available to them. She also announced the plans of the Ministry to host a National youth conference where the youths will have opportunities to make inputs for the youth roadmap development.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Institute, Professor Ayo Omotayo who led the team disclosed that series of research carried out by the Institute on Nigerian Youths revealed that nobody knows what the Youths really want.

According to him, the Institute is proposing a National Conference where the Youth will be asked what they want and what exactly the country can do for them.
Omotayo expressed worries that Nigerian Youth, being 60% of the population are not part of Policy making in the country.

According to the DG, the purpose of the visit is to look at the possible areas of collaboration between the Institute and the Ministry in the area of Policy making for the Youths, especially at the various sector of the economy where Youth Participation can be involved. The DG thanked Dr Jamila for showing her readiness to collaborate with the Institute.

While stressing the need to have Youth Development Roadmap, Omotayo stated that NIPPS has a platform where policies and strategies are tested.

In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Dunoma Umar thanked the Director General and the entire Management of NIPPS for stretching the hands of fellowship to the Ministry.

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