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Minister Commends Ingenuity of the NYSC’s Founding Fathers

Published

11 months ago

May 16, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Sports and Youth Development Mr Sunday Dare has commended the ingenuity of the leaders who bequeathed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme as well as Nigerians and the persons whose unwavering commitment has led to its sustenance for fifty years now.

The Minister who made the commendation on Monday at the opening ceremony of NYSC at 50 held in Abuja stated that, the scheme has made invaluable impact in national development since its inception 50 years ago.

He noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme has kept faith with its objectives and sustained its relevance in the country’s development.

Dare who described NYSC as the leading youth organisation in Africa explained further that “the hindsight of past presidents and heads of state has nurtured this scheme despite the odds that have threatened its existence.

The NYSC has made an invaluable impact in various aspects of national development, including providing healthcare to rural communities, and also made legendary contributions to education and rural infrastructure.There have been acts of resourcefulness and benevolence, and the nation witnessed remarkable ingenuity from youth corps members during the COVID-19 pandemic and before then during the Ebola virus and HIV/AIDS pandemic.”

While applauding President Muhammadu Buhari’s contributions to the scheme in the past eight years, Dare also appreciated the president for the privilege to serve the country as minister for sports and youth development.

He therefore called on the leadership of the scheme to see the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to evolve strategies to strengthen the scheme, make it more sustainable, and broaden its scope of operations to enhance its contributions to further drive national development.

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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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