by The Ajasa News | February 2, 2020 11:17 am
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has postulated that when youths are positively engaged with sustainable economic activities, it will not only ensure socio- economic progress, promotion of National cohesion, peace and stability but there will be huge reduction in incidences of crime and juvenile delinquency which are factors inimical to national developmental efforts.
He also stressed that strategic positive youth engagement were attributes such as their energy, creativity, adaptability which are beneficial factors that have contributed to the growth and development of Nations globally will be sure avenues for Nigeria’s National development in no distant future.
Dare made this submission at the closing ceremony of the Youth Empowerment Program on Capacity building and Scale up on Sustainable Livelihood program in Tailoring and Fashion Design for unemployed youth at the National Youth Development Center Ode-Omu, Osun state.
He said, the potential of youths if harnessed can transform development efforts positively.
Speaking further, the Minister said to achieve President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to lift 100 million out of poverty in 10 years, the Ministry with its initiative of Youth Empowerment program which has been in operation since 2007 is increasing the number of trained youths annually.
He encouraged the participates to use the opportunity with responsibility and good conduct, bearing in mind always the goal of the program, which is to empower not only themselves but also other youths in their communities, Moreso for the social economic development of Nigeria. He reminded them that officials of the Ministry will monitor their progress periodically to guide and ensure compliance in line with the objectives of the programme.
In 2018, 84 youths across the Nation with FCT were trained, also in 2019 another set of 140 participants from the 36 states and the FCT have successfully completed the three weeks training with assisted start up grants. Among the Youth Centers used for these skill acquisition are the National Youth Development Center, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau state, Owode-Egba in Ogun State, Batagarawa in Katrina state and Ode-Omu in Osun state where the capacity of youths are being built in diversified Vocational and Agro Allied Skills for sustainable livelihood for job and wealth creation.
The potential of entrepreneurship to mitigate the problem of Youth unemployment cannot be overemphasized, as entrepreneurship is one of the viable solution of job creation and poverty alleviation. The Minister commended the program where youths are being trained and equipped on entrepreneurship as a viable alternative means of employment and also being well skilled on the rudiments of how to start and manage their own businesses.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the Perm. Sec, Mr Gabriel Tanimu Aduda who was represented by Mrs Omotade Olusola, the Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion, the coordinator of the program, Mr Momoh Idris the Facilitator,Barr.Obu, the CEO of Next -to-None, stakeholders like SDG, the Academia, Directors of Youth and Sports from Osun state, member Nigeria Youth Parliament from south west and Community Leaders from the host community of Ode-Omu.
In her vote of thanks, a female participant from Rivers state, Barrister Okirigwe Megan appreciated the FG and the Ministry,she however appealed for increased number of Youth participation with more enhanced start up grant.
It is note worthy to report that the CEO of next-to-none offered a one year scholarship free training award to Mr Johnson Ayodele, an orphan who was the best and student of the year 2019,in line with the Minister’s Adopt Campaign. The Awardee will also be given one free Industrial sewing machine. Barr. One also promised to support all Youth activities of the Ministry.
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