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‘I Am Passionate About The Youth’ – Jamila Bio Ibrahim

Published

1 year ago

November 1, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has assured the Nigerian youth of her passion and dedication to champion their affairs.

The Minister gave the assurance while granting audience to a delegation of senior officials of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, (NYP), who was led on a courtesy visit to her by their Speaker, Rt. Honourable Azeezat Yishawu,

The Minister, who praised the speaker for her stewardship of the parliament, gave the assurance that she would look into the challenges of the NYP and provide the necessary support.

She said. ” I have watched from a distance and seen how she is steering the ship of the Nigeria Youth Parliament and she has done well, it is my hope and desire to see that you evolve into bigger responsibilities and take on bigger roles”.

“This is your Ministry, this is your home. I have taken note of all your challenges, requests and of course, all the good work that the Parliament has done, which is very impressive and the Ministry will take all necessary steps to address the challenges”. She added.

Dr. Ibrahim promised to study the report on the National Youth Security Summit, adding that she is very passionate about women and youth. She said, “When it comes to youth and women, this is my passion, especially supporting them because I see myself in them.”

She attributed the success of Honourable Yishawu partly to the support she enjoyed from the male members of the Parliament and called for the need to give women more space to exhibit their leadership qualities.

In her address, the Speaker of the Parliament, Honourable Azeezat Yishawu disclosed that they were in the Ministry to assure the Minister that the Nigerian Youth are behind her and ready to provide all the necessary support to help her succeed. Yishawu noted that the responsibility of the Minister is huge as she is responsible for about half of the population of the country.

She told the Minister that the youth Parliament had also come to avail her with a comprehensive report on the research it had carried out on about twenty states across the country which will be helpful in policy formulation and program implementation that will greatly impact positively on the Youth.

She disclosed that the Nigerian Youth Parliament under her leadership had carried out some activities such as the National Youth Security Summit that was held last year to examine how young people can participate in keeping the peace in the Country, research on drug abuse due to the sudden increase in cases of drug abuse and social vises by young people and issues relating to Youth Employment.

The NYP complained that it was short of funds and that it had impeded the execution of many of its programs.

The Director Network and Social Mobilization Department of the Ministry, Hajia Amina Daura informed the Minister that the Nigerian Youth Parliament was inaugurated on the 28th of August, 2008 by the former President, late Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’adua, GCFR.

She added that the current session, which is the fifth, was inaugurated on the 9th of December, 2021. and has a non-renewable term of two years.

The director disclosed that the NYP serves as a training ground for preparing young people for leadership roles and gives them the opportunity to make inputs in decisions and matters that affect them.

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FG Approves Professionalisation of Youth Work

Published

5 days ago

November 8, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As part of the efforts being made to create a pathway to success for all Nigerian youth, the Federal Government has granted approval for the full Professionalisation of Youth work in Nigeria.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande made this known while addressing the congregation of the Youth workers during the 2024 National Youth work conference which coincides with Youth workers capacity building and membership induction. The conference which has the theme: “A right to youth work and a positive future for all young people, celebrating diverse expressions of youth work across the globe” took place at Afolabi hall within the Ministry in Abuja.

According to the Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry , Mr Olubunmi Olusanya: “I am happy to announce that approval for the full Professionalisation of Youth work in Nigeria has been granted by the Hon. Minister. The Ministry is ready to drive this important process, recognizing the urgent need for established codes of ethics and standards of practice.

This has become necessary because of the proliferation of practice whose activities have had adverse effects on the quality of services by young people. I therefore enjoin this noble body of professionals to join forces with the Ministry in its effort towards establishing distinct career paths for youth development work”.

“The Ministry is critically looking at innovative partnership with the private sector, access to financing for young people’s ideals, and the integration of digital skills training. We are of the strong belief that entrepreneurship should be fostered from a young age, which means that all relevant stakeholders must partner in building a generation of young Nigerians who are skilled and prepared to lead”.

“Today we are not only to discuss how we can build the capacity of the youth to contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, but to plan the specific ways we can build a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for every young Nigerian, especially in the face of rapid global change and challenges that are complex and interconnected, ranging from climate challenges, technical advancement, economic shift, unemployment, mental health issues, inequality, lack of access to quality education and so on”, the Minister added.

He emphasized that: “In these challenges, there are also immense opportunities for growth and transformation. It is worthy to state that our young people must be prepared not only to lead but be frontline agents in unlocking these opportunities.”

He further explained that being a transformative catalysts, youth workers have the responsibility to provide the right platforms, resources, mentorship, and encouragement by bridging the gaps between young people and their potentials, while empowering them with mentorship, advocacy and essential skills to overcome obstacles and thrive as responsible citizens.

He disclosed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development is committed to equipping youth who made up 60 percent of the population with the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit needed to thrive in today’s competitive world as well as creating an environment where they can innovate, take risks and contribute meaningfully to our economy.

“We are dedicated to empowering young Nigerians through various initiatives focused on skills development, empowerment and engagement by providing them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive. This is why we are strongly propagating our vision of one youth, two skills”, the Minister concluded.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Youth Workers Association (NYWA), Mr Ben Duntoye stressed that many of the Youths are passionate about youth work but there is the need to step up to professionalism.

According to him : “We want to see youth work bigger, we want to see youth work grow in their various work places. Youth work must flourish in Nigeria as it is in the advanced countries of the world”

“That is why we are partnering with the developed countries of the world to assist us with the initiatives put in by them in developing theirs both financially and in kind”, Duntoye added.

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