By Sunday Ani
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged the Nigerian youths to participate in the Federal Government’s Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme (YEIDEP) to address youth unemployment, economic marginalisatiom and exclusion.
Olawande, who was represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Warrens Augusta, spoke at the “YEIDEP Rivers State Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum,” in Port Harcourt, recently.
Speaking at the programme sponsored by Alpha Morgan Bank, the Minister described YEIDEP’s initiation as a commitment by the Federal Government to tackle unemployment, poverty, and radicalization among young Nigerians, which are the issues threatening the country’s sociopolitical stability, national security, and economic development.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for the establishment of YEIDEP, saying, “President Bola Tinubu deserves the gratitude and appreciation of Nigerian youths for his role in the creation of this strategic youth economic empowerment scheme. With YEIDEP and its effective implementation, these ugly social factors will soon be mitigated.”
YEIDEP’s Coordinator-General and humanitarian activist, Kennedy Iyere, called on state governors and elected officials to support the programme, emphasising that it was crucial to countering Nigeria’s chronic youth unemployment and its associated threats, like radicalization and civil unrest.
“Nigeria’s chronic youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb. YEIDEP offers us an escape route from a looming political destruction,” Iyere warned, urging investment from governments, wealthy Nigerians, and global partners for YEIDEP’s success.
Executive Director of Alpha Morgan Bank, Adedoyin Anyaehie, commended President Tinubu, Olwande and Iyere for their efforts.
She affirmed the bank’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, aligning YEIDEP with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Anyaehie noted Nigeria’s youthful population; 60 to 70 percent under 30, about 160 to 170 million people, is a formidable force for economic growth if harnessed.
“Nigerian youth are not just the future of this nation, they are the ‘now’ of Nigeria, and the greatest asset we have as a country.
“The shared vision of building a secure, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria is why we not only stand with YEIDEP, but also remain committed to supporting programmes that empower our youths. For us, Nigerian youth are not just the future of this nation, they are the “now” of Nigeria, and the greatest asset we have as a country,” she stated.
The event in Port Harcourt, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), cooperative societies, women and youth groups, with the aim to devise a roadmap for YEIDEP’s implementation to create jobs for 20 million youths and young women through entrepreneurship and self-employment.
