FG up-scales investment in youths to improve economic growth

The Federal Government has re-assured that it would continue to harness youth potentials in the country with a view to enhancing sustainable economic growth and development.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, disclosed this at the weekend, in Lagos during the closing ceremony of the six-week training on Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP). The event was organised by the ministry across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He said deliberate and strategic investment in young people would be required for the high percentage of the youth population in the country to become a demographic dividend.

He said that the approach of the ministry had been the inclusion of youth employment as a priority segment of the National Youth Policy (NYP) for which a framework for implementation has been provided in the Nigerian Youth Employment Plan (NYEP).

He added that the agenda, which will be launched in the next few weeks, would deliver a comprehensive approach to youth employment interventions through multi-sector collaborations on Employability, Entrepreneurship Development, Employment Creation and Equal Opportunity.

He, therefore, urged Nigerian youths to take up the challenge for self-development to support their inclusion in nation-building, stating that they have the potentials, talents and energy for skills’ development and other opportunities that will give them leverage in the global economy.

Dare gave the assurance that the present administration was committed to youth development and provision of an enabling environment and innovative solutions to challenges of youths.