Tinubu’s 64th independence anniversary speech: Our challenges at DAWN – Part 2

Youth empowerment
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of President Tinubu’s speech for the Southwest is his emphasis on youth empowerment. The announcement of a National Youth Conference is not just a policy point; it’s a clarion call for the region with Nigeria’s most educated and dynamic youth population.

“This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population.”

The South-west must ensure that its youth are not just participants but leaders in this national conversation. DAWN Commission stands ready to work with our state governments to organise pre-conference forums, ensuring that the region’s young voices are well-prepared and impactful at the national level.

Moreover, the region should view this as an opportunity to showcase its innovative youth programmes. From Lagos’ tech incubators to Oyo’s youth farming initiatives, the Southwest has a story to tell and a model to share with the rest of the nation. The President’s mention of the three million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) should be music to the ears of Southwest educators and youth organisations. The region should aim to capture its commensurable share of these opportunities, positioning itself as Nigeria’s talent factory.

Navigating economic reforms
President Tinubu’s economic vision, as outlined in his speech, is both ambitious and necessary. For the Southwest, with its diverse economy ranging from finance to manufacturing, understanding and adapting to these reforms is crucial. “To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which will now be transmitted to the National Assembly.” The Southwest’s business community, led by chambers of commerce and industry associations, must take a proactive stance. They should form task forces and working groups to study these bills, provide feedback to legislators, and prepare their members for the coming changes. The region’s economic think tanks should produce policy briefs analysing the potential impact of these reforms on key sectors of the Southwest economy.

Furthermore, the President’s commitment to implementing the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Southwest states. While it may require adjustments in state-local government relations, it also opens the door for more grassroots-driven development. DAWN Commission will work with state governments to develop strategies for enhancing local government capacity, ensuring they can effectively manage their new financial responsibilities.

Recommendations for Southwest stakeholders
For Governors: Organise a Southwest Economic Summit, leading to the establishment of working groups tasked with developing localised solutions to national economic challenges. Integrate the potentials of the federal government’s tractor assembly initiative into the ongoing regional agricultural collaboration. Develop a comprehensive Southwest Green Transport Master plan, focusing on CNG adoption and sustainable urban mobility. Create a Youth Empowerment Coordination Office to maximise the region’s participation in federal youth initiatives. For Private Sector Business Leaders: Form industry-specific working groups to study and prepare for the upcoming Economic Stabilisation Bills.

In agricultural technology and mechanisation services to support the region’s farming communities. Explore public-private partnerships for the establishment of CNG infrastructure across the region. Develop apprenticeship and internship programs aligned with the 3MTT initiative to build a skilled workforce. For Socio-cultural Groups: Organise community enlightenment programmes on the importance of national unity and the region’s role in Nigeria’s progress. Establish cultural exchange programmes with other regions to foster national integration. Create mentorship networks linking successful professionals with aspiring youth from underprivileged backgrounds. For Traditional Leaders: Spearhead community-based security initiatives that complement state and federal efforts. Use traditional institutions to promote agricultural modernisation and attract youth to farming.

Serve as bridges between local communities and government agencies implementing new policies. For Youth Organisations: Prepare comprehensive position papers for the upcoming National Youth Conference, ensuring the Southwest’s concerns and aspirations are well-represented. Develop tech-driven solutions for regional challenges, from agriculture to urban planning. Create peer-to-peer financial literacy programmes to help young people navigate economic changes and opportunities.

The Southwest as Nigeria’s Beacon President Tinubu’s Independence Day address paints a picture of a Nigeria at a crossroad, facing formidable challenges but armed with unwavering hope and concrete plans. For the Southwest, this is more than a moment of national reflection; it is a call to action, an opportunity to lead by example, and a chance to shape the nation’s future.

The region’s response to this speech should not be passive acceptance but active engagement. By aligning regional efforts with national goals, by innovating where others hesitate, and by unleashing the power of its human capital, the Southwest can serve as a beacon for the rest of Nigeria.

As the President eloquently puts it: “The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.” Let the Southwest be the first to rise, the first to prevail, and in doing so, lift the entire nation towards the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Concluded.

Dr Oyeleye is the Director General of DAWN Commission. He can be reached via:[email protected]