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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
To mark this year’s African and National Youth Day, the Federal Government has reaffirmed it commitment to youth empowerment through investments in education digital skills and entrepreneurship.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, in a statement yesterday, said the event is aimed at celebrating the energy, innovation, creativity, and resilience of the young people who represent not only the future of our continent but its present strength and vitality.
He said: “As a government, we reaffirm our commitment to youths empowerment through investments in education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, the creative industries, and civic engagement.
“We are working hand-in-hand with regional partners and international stakeholders to ensure that our youth have access to the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Olawande, also, called on the private sector leaders, development agencies, and civil society to intensify their support for youth-led initiatives.
According to him, the time has come for a truly pan-African youth agenda one that transcends borders and leverages shared aspirations.
He said the festival would bring together youth from across Nigeria and the African continent, united under the theme: From Aspiration to Action: Youth as Agents of Reparative Justice and Sustainable Development “.
He added: “It is a timely reminder that the future of Africa lies in the hands of our youth a generation that is more connected, more informed, and more capable than ever.
“As we stand at the crossroads of economic transformation, technological advancement, and cultural renaissance, our youth are not just participants in change, they are the actual drivers.
“It is a platform for dialogue, a means to showcase talent, meeting of minds and a catalyst for collaboration. Over the coming days, young leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and change makers will engage in workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, and performances all aimed at promoting inclusion, innovation, and sustainable development.
“To Nigerian youths and youth leaders from across Africa that will be attending this event, I look forward to seeing you all in Abuja. Your voices matter. Your ideas count. Your dreams are valid. The Nigerian and African dream of prosperity, peace, and unity cannot be realized without you.
“Let this festival be a spark. Let it ignite new partnerships, bold ventures, and lasting solutions.”
