President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday declared that over 5,300 youths have benefited from the ₦75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).
The NYIF was set up as an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to invest in innovative ideas, skills and talents of Nigerian youths to build sustainable businesses that can activate enterprise and increase job opportunities in the country.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, disclosed that his administration in his effort to empower youth had dished out different youth programmes by engaging them in one way or the other.
He revealed that Buhari has set up a National Youth Committee that will relay demands of the youths to the president.
He explained that the committee will draw about 20 to 21 youths from six geo-political zones.
‘Two months ago President Buhari promised to set up a National Youth Committee, that team has been put together and very soon they will be meeting quarterly, they will go around the country to listen to the demands of the youths and relay them to the president himself. That team will soon be inaugurated,’ he said.
He spoke during an award presentation organised by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYL) 2021 held in Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The monarch, while advising the awardees, described the program as “value addition. Many youths are looking up to you, they are aspiring to be like you. You are leaders in different fields.
‘The last year’s award we got many invitations for youths from different countries but because of COVID-19. It is very important for you to know that the future is in your hands, stop complaining, don’t let us complain again, let us all work together and make sure we build ourselves to leadership positions.’ Ooni told the beneficiaries.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
