Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria has promised to deepen collaboration with the United Nations (UN) to boost women and youth empowerment, with Vice President Kashim Shettima identifying financial inclusion, skills development, job creation, and peace and security as key priorities.
He made the commitment during a courtesy visit by a UN delegation led by Assistant Secretary-General on Youth Affairs, Dr. Felipe Paullier, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
In a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President described Nigerian youth as the engine of change and growth and the pillar upon whom the nation’s future rests. He rejected the notion of them as mere statistical powerhouses.
He reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to gender equality and youth development, as he also expressed confidence that Nigeria’s demographic growth would translate into economic dividends.
Other News
“The youth are the backbone of every society’s transformation,” he said.
Shettima called for stronger institutional frameworks in partnership with the UN and other stakeholders.
Paullier, on his first visit to Nigeria, lauded the country’s youthful energy and noted the UN General Assembly’s establishment of a dedicated youth office in 2022 to advance human rights, training and skills development globally.
“Nigeria is a very vibrant country, with young people at the heart of this dynamism,” he said.
He added that prioritising youth, education, employment and gender equality would accelerate innovation and development.
