By John Ikani
All roads lead to the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium at Nigeria’s capital Abuja as the first-ever National Youth Conference is set to begin today (Monday).
The Conference with the theme: ‘Energising The Youth for Development: Inclusiveness, Governance, Security & Employment’, is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and its partners from private sector to harness the thoughts and views of a cross-section of the Nigerian youth as a means of assessing the current situation with development issues concerning them, and forging strategies to address the issues.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mohammed Manga, explained that the conference was premised on the realisation that Nigeria needs its youth, not only to be supported and developed, but also to understand the dimension of political developments, grasp national issues and consciously position themselves as co-builders in the socio-economic growth of the country.
The statement quoted Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports developmemt, Sunday Dare as saying the conference will focus on diverse and urgent issues confronting the youth and tugging at the very heart of the nation in line with the policy thrust of the President Buhari-led administration.
Dare added that the objective of the conference will be to explore critical issues in the agitation for more inclusive youth policies and also create the structure and system for youth to participate and thrive regardless of the sector they choose to play in – politics, governance, technology and creativity.
The Conference, which will be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari, is planned as a hybrid event – physical and virtual. Virtual to enable youth that cannot be physically present due to space constraints and other factors to join live via various social media platforms.
Heritage Times gathered that over 10,000 youths are also expected to hook up and participate in the Conference for more inclusiveness. Already, about 6,000 youths have registered to participate virtually.
Security and employment are some of the salient issues that will engage over 370 delegates from all the 36 States of the Federation including the FCT and those expected to participate virtually in the first ever National Youth Conference holding from Monday, November 1 to Wednesday, November 3, 2021.
Amongst speakers expected at the three-day event are Nihinlola Fafore, Director of Public Relations, Huawei Technologies Company, Nigeria. She will be speaking on ‘Laying A Foundation for Identity, Confidence and Self-Belief – Investing in Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment.
John Opubor, an Investment Banker and Social Development Entrepreneur and Mujahid Daman Kubau, Entrepreneur/CEO, Daman Meat Company will speak on; Politics, Policy and Tech – Changing The Narrative To Benefit Nigeria: The Way Forward in Wealth Creation, Economic Contribution, Distribution and Accountability.
