Review Nigeria’s youth policy: Commonwealth youth council tells Buhari

The chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Ahmed Adamu, has urged Nigeria’s president elect, Muhammadu Buhari to review the country’s youth policy as well as initiate youth development targeted at improving the lives of the Nigerian youth

Adamu who stated this while addressing a group of Nigerian youths upon his arrival at Abuja on Thursday said youth development targets and indicators must be set out by the incoming administration and updated regularly, while stressing the need for proper youth participation in youth affairs.

“The ministry of youth must be placed in a position to mainstream all youth development programmes and projects. Government ministries, departments and agencies working in developing youth agenda must do so in partnership and collaboration with the ministry of youth. There should be a consolidated youth development funds that will help in developing youth capacities and entrepreneurial skills. The Nigerian youth policy must be reviewed and implemented to the later. There should be a youth development centre” he said.

He added that the Nigerian youth must take our rightful positions in governance.

“We call on the Nigerian President-Elect to ensure 30% affirmative action for youth participation in governance at all levels. This is a non-negotiable option. We specifically call for appointment of a young person below the age of 35 as youth minister. This is in line with the definition of youth as enshrined in the Nigerian youth policy.

“The second criteria is that whoever is going to be nominated as youth minister must be a youth leader, who has contact with the youth and is familiar with their challenges. The youth minister’s position must be purely based on qualification and relevant experience, and politics should not influence the choice.

“We are now watching the President-elect, and for every action he makes, we will make sure that the interest of young people are protected and represented” he said.

Adamu however promise to give unyielding support toward the success of Mr. Buhari’s administration.

“We, the youth voted for this new administration and we will make sure it succeeds. Youth issues must be squarely addressed. These range from youth unemployment to low quality education”.

Adamu said he is in Nigeria to felicitate with “my brothers and sisters over the peaceful and credible elections, and to congratulate the president-elect for the victory. The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) led the Nigerian youth in a non-violence election campaign, and as a result, the Nigerian youth were determined to shun any sort of violence. Therefore, this is a victory to the youth. The young people endured all the hardships to ensure that their voices were heard in this election. This is a great triumph for the young people”.

He also informed that CYC is undertaking some youth development projects across the 53 Commonwealth nations, and within the remaining period of his tenure, he will bring so many other youth development projects to benefit the young people around the world.