President Bola Tinubu has officially unveiled the planning committee for the highly anticipated National Youth Confab during a ceremony at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja. The committee will be led by Olubunmi Olusanya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development.
This significant step comes five months after President Tinubu first announced the formation of the confab in his Independence Day speech, where he outlined the government’s commitment to addressing pressing issues affecting Nigeria’s youth population.
The confab will take place over 30 days and will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions on critical areas impacting young Nigerians.
In his remarks during the inauguration, President Tinubu urged the nation’s youth to seize this unique opportunity to reshape the future of millions of their peers across the country.
He called on the committee to prioritize conversations surrounding technology and agriculture, particularly with the goal of achieving food sovereignty for Nigeria.
The President further emphasized the crucial role of youth in the nation’s progress, encouraging them to speak out, share their concerns, and offer innovative solutions. “Your voices will guide Nigeria’s path to success,” Tinubu declared.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of youth engagement. He explained that the committee was meticulously assembled, drawing from a wide range of sectors, including the Ministry of Finance, various federal ministries, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies such as the World Bank.
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa and a lead member of the planning committee, Samson Itodo, praised the President’s initiative, calling it a timely and much-needed step in empowering Nigeria’s youth.
He elaborated on the structure of the National Youth Confab, which will include virtual consultations, regional meetings, and a one-week in-person conference in Abuja.
However, Itodo stressed the importance of ensuring that the confab remains free from political influence, warning against any attempts to hijack the process for political gain. “This confab must be insulated from politics to maintain its integrity and focus on the issues that matter to young Nigerians,” he asserted.
The planning committee also features a diverse group of influential figures, including Asuquo Ekpeyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission; Dr. Linus Okorie; Dr. Garba Aliyu; Babatunde Adeleke; Francis Sani; Azeezat Yishawu; Sara-Igbe Sukubo; Hauwa Ibrahim; Zara Goni; Oladele Nihi; Dare Ojepe; and Uchechukwu George Egbe. Additionally, there are representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, and other key stakeholders in the planning committee.
The confab is set to be a transformative platform for Nigeria’s youth, where meaningful conversations and strategies will be crafted to address the challenges and opportunities ahead, ultimately contributing to the country’s growth and prosperity.
