Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
“As much as they want to, and are empowered by the constitution to, protest against national and social issues they feel strongly about, it would be great if they exercise the same rights to take advantage of the many programs designed especially for their benefit”
Illustration only. Picture of Nigerian youths
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | AUGUST 1, 2024
The federal government, in its drive to create a more stable and prosperous economy, took some tough decisions to free the country from the perennial shackles of constraining fiscal and monetary policies.
On implementation, these policy reviews impacted the polity, creating uncomfortable tension in the country. The current economic challenges being faced by many are undeniable and inescapable realities. This escalated to the point that there were calls for a national protest on August 1, 2024. The objective of this agitation, led by youths, is to protest the challenging cost of living amidst what many see as a lack of concern or action by the federal government.
However, ignorance is the thief of opportunities.
The policy reviews have increased available FAAC funds which is expected to translate to positive living conditions impacting programs and projects at federal, state, and local government levels. Further, the federal government deployed several palliative and empowerment programs to help alleviate the challenges and cushion the sudden effects of these policy updates.
Amongst the many programs deployed to provide empowerment and palliatives to several demographics across different sectors of the economy, the administration’s special consideration of the importance and significance of the youth demographic is the most overlooked, untapped, and/or underutilized. The government recognized that the engine room to drive economic growth is the youth demographic, but sadly, most of them go under the radar, thus unwittingly disenfranchising the intended beneficiaries.
The Honorable Minister for Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, on July 12, 2024, announced a special N110 billion investment plan, National Youth Skills Program (NYSP), to support young Nigerians and boost the agriculture industry. The initiative is designed to create opportunities that will give young people the resources they need to succeed and strengthen the agricultural sector of the economy.
Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) will provide the funding and funding framework. The Youth Development Bank is also expected to be launched by August 30th, 2024. The bank will provide tailored financial services to youth-led value creation business ideas. YouWin Connect Nigeria, The Basic Enterpreneurship and Skills Training Program, etc. are other programs with special focus on the youth demographic.
On November 16, 2023, the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, formally launched a plan to train 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) over the next four years.
President Bola Tinubu, on July 18, 2024, launched the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) digital disbursement framework in the council chamber of State House. In his speech, the president said: “My belief is that education is the greatest weapon against poverty. Without education, there is no vision; without education, there will be no development; without education, you cannot successfully conquer poverty, insecurity, and abuse in society”
The objective of NELFund and the Student Loan Scheme is to provide loans to students to encourage more people to seek knowledge, go for higher education, and become valuable contributors to national development. One can only imagine the tremendous positive transformation and economic boost Nigeria will achieve if our teeming, hardworking youths can seize these opportunities with both hands. The future of Nigeria is in their hands, the opportunities-buffet has been laid out, they are the drivers of the present/future and economic prosperity of Nigeria.
It is imperative that they shun the advances of political puppeteers, ethnic jingoists, apostles of fraud, self aggrandizement seeking social activists, bigotry riddled religious manipulators, etc.
As much as they want to, and are empowered by the constitution to, protest against national and social issues they feel strongly about, it would be great if they exercise the same rights to take advantage of the many programs designed especially for their benefit. The business of nation building is built on collaborative efforts. The economic growth and prosperity they desire is squarely in their hands if they choose to take advantage of opportunities created especially for them.
This is the clarion call for the youths and the bedrock of the present and future economic prosperity of Nigeria. The opportunities are available. Please seize them with both hands as we partner towards the country of our dreams and desires..
The future starts now! It starts with youths taking advantage of opportunities, improving themselves, towards realizing the country and future they want.
*Femi Onakanren is Business Consultant and Socioeconomic Policy Analyst. He writes from Lagos.
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