CYC CALLED FOR MORE SUPPORTS TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), Ahmed Adamu called on commonwealth member states to invest more on young entrepreneurs in order to create more employment and promote economic growth, the call was made during the African Youth Summit, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda from December 18 – 22, 2013. The summit was organized by the Rwanda Students Association in collaboration with the International H.O.P.E. and Rwanda Federal Ministry of Education. 

In his words, ‘In order to support African young entrepreneurs, there should be enabling economic policies, ranging from credit facilities, low taxes, low interest rates etc. There should also be simplification of the procedures and bureaucracy of becoming an entrepreneur, and there should be a special support to Small and Medium enterprises. There should also be education and training in the area of entrepreneurship. Young entrepreneurs should be supported from their local governments at the grassroots. There should also be an economic/market research in Africa to identify the markets needs and economic gaps. There should be free labor mobility within the continent in order to address the problem of structural unemployment.” 

Mr. Ahmed Adamu was in the Summit as a special guest, panelist and inspirational speaker; he emphasized on the potentials of young people as agents of progress and development, and urged the youth to be opportunity entrepreneurs that innovate business ventures in order to meet up with the market gap. While admonishing the young people to develop and use their skills and talents constructively, he said: “we, the youth, have to realize our potentials, we are the strength and proud of every society, we make everything happens. We have the energy, creativity, talents, and we are not corrupt. Youth have the exuberance and can dedicate time to do better things.” The Summit was well attended by the Rwanda President who was ably represented by the Minister for education, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Nigeria, permanent secretaries, young people from over 30 African nations and other important personalities. 

 Part of the CYC Chairperson’s activities while in the country included:  meeting with the Rwanda’s National Youth Council’s Executives and visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial site. He called on the Commonwealth youth to learn good lessons from the peace and reconciliation model adopted by Rwanda in order to enjoy more tolerant societies among the Commonwealth nations and the world at large. 

The CYC is planning a country visit to Rwanda with at least two youth delegates from every commonwealth nation to witness the physical transformation in the country and appreciate the Rwandis for supporting peace and tolerance among themselves. This will also give opportunity to learn more from the Rwanda’s model for social reconciliation and peace building, and to hear directly from genocide survivals and visit the genocide memorial. 

- See more at: http://commonwealthyouthcouncil.org/cyc-called-for-more-support-to-young-entrepreneurs/#sthash.DpyP4maI.dpuf