Maryam Aminu
Recognising that Africa’s youth and women making up more than half of the continent’s populations – must be at the core of Africa’s economic growth and inclusive development strategies and harnessing the youths’ creativity and innovativeness into the continent’s economic growth and development drive, whilst expanding income opportunities for the youth through creation of jobs, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) has launched an initiative to empower 1 million Nigerian youths.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the Head Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the initiative was launched at the recent COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The visionary project will kick start in January 2024 and will focus on programs in agroforestry, land restoration and staple food cropping.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim disclosed that the initiative’s first phase targets the restoration of 10,000 hectares of land in Niger State, adding that the initiative which is in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda will be jointly implemented by the Niger State Government in alignment with the proposed reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The Government of Niger State has generously allocated land to kick-start the program, demonstrating its commitment to the state’s Green Economy Blueprint, launched at COP28.” Said the Minister
She further commended the Governor for supporting the projects and the launching of the Niger State Green Economy blue print at COP 28 UAE.
The Minister revealed that the implementation of the critical programme will be done through inclusive multi stakeholders approach that will include the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Energy, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, AUDA NEPAD Nigeria, The World Bank appraisal Projects
While expressing optimism that the partnership will usher in a lot of benefits to the youth, she enjoined concerned Nigerians to work together for the success of the laudable programme
