Health and Gender

Minister harps on importance of long term youth investment

DR JAMILA IBRAHIM, MINISTER OF YOUTHS DEVELOPMENT

By our correspondent

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, says the ministry will collaborate with State Commissioners to promote long-term youth investment initiatives across the federation.

Ibrahim made this known on Friday in Abuja, during a consultative meeting with the Commissioners of Youth Development in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister said that there was a need for synergy and alignment with the States, adding that the ministry was highly committed to providing local solutions to national challenges.

“We want to ensure that there is a synergy and alignment between the Federal Government and State Governments,” she said.

According to her, the meeting is aimed to engage commissioners and hear their perspectives on the ministry’s programmes and initiatives.

She highlighted the National Youth Investment Fund and Presidential Initiative on Youth Enterprise Trusts as key initiatives.

The ongoing review of the National Youth Development Policy was also discussed, with plans to establish a National Council on Youth.

The minister emphasised the importance of youth investment as a long-term goal rather than just youth empowerment.

“Youth empowerment is a bit different; it’s a more superficial approach, whereas youth investment is a deeper and more sustainable approach,” she said.

Ibrahim said that the Presidential Initiative on Youth Enterprise Clusters (PIEC) was created to mitigate risks associated with lending to young people.

“We have put the PIEC in place to cluster young people in their thousands to share infrastructure and leverage economies of scale,” said the minister.

“We plan to establish enterprise clusters in every local government, with a long-term vision to reach the grassroots level.

“We are working towards a long-term plan of youth development, with a focus on investment rather than just empowerment,” she said.

According to her, the four key pillars are governance, jobs, skills and innovation, culture and behavioural change and human capital development.

” I assure you that your contributions today will be part and parcel of our implementation plans.

“We will like to know your key programmes and the areas of possible intervention,” she said.

The minister said that the policy was pivotal to their job, as it defines the approach to address the diverse needs of the youth.

“Considering the unique peculiarities and priorities of each region and by extension to every state.

“This inclusive approach is aimed at tailoring the policy to meet local realities, thereby making it more effective and impactful.

“I call on the commissioners to actively participate in these consultations, bring forward the voices of your states, and ensure that the new policy reflects the true needs and aspirations of our young people,” she said.

She expressed optimism that the meeting would consolidate their efforts, synergise, and ensure that policies, programmes, and initiatives truly reflect the aspirations of the youth.

“Also, most importantly, that the policies are well implemented for maximum result”, she said.

Ibrahim said that the ministry was committed to providing local solutions to national challenges and called on the commissioners to engage with the youth and to intimate them on its programmes and initiatives

(https://newsatlarge.ng)

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