ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged for more youth engagement in the country. He highlighted a concerning lack of political awareness among young Nigerians.

Minister Emphasizes Civic Education

During a visit by members of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to the Ministry of Youth Development, Olawande addressed the importance of civic education. He pointed out that many young Nigerians struggle to differentiate between basic political positions, such as Senator and House of Representatives member.

The minister stressed the need to equip young people with the knowledge to defend their rights. He advocated for “aggressive engagement” at the local level. Olawande connected this to the #EndSARS movement, acknowledging that the underlying issues regarding police brutality remain unresolved.

#EndSARS and Ongoing Challenges

Reflecting on the #EndSARS protests, Olawande said, “It becomes apparent that we haven’t fully addressed the issues. While advocating for an end to police brutality, I participated in the protests. We, the former youth, knew our rights and protested, hoping the government would listen.”

According to a report by Vanguard, he lamented the lack of continued engagement with those affected by the aftermath of the protests, which were ultimately overtaken by violence. “The consequences were severe when the protests were hijacked by hoodlums, yet today, no one engages with these individuals,” the Minister added.

Olawande also addressed the crucial role of acquiring skills in the digital economy. He emphasized the importance of communicating to young Nigerians that there are legitimate ways to earn a living online, without resorting to cybercrime. This is especially important in a country with a large population of young, tech-savvy people.

Passionate Commitment to Youth Development

The minister expressed a strong commitment to youth development. “I firmly believe we can still propel this country forward,” he said. “As a minister in my 30s, I told myself that if I don’t take action now, then I have failed my generation.”

Olawande highlighted the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, which has evolved into the Nigeria Youth Academy. This program aims to equip young Nigerians with skills and create opportunities.

Barrister Nima Salman Mann, the leader of the NIPSS delegation, emphasized the Ministry’s role in addressing this year’s theme: leveraging the digital economy for sustainable job creation.

“We’re here to listen to how the Ministry is helping young people,” Mann said. “We want to understand your strategic plans and ways forward” She acknowledged the need for innovative approaches to empower young people and harness the potential of the digital age for economic growth.

Source: Vanguard