Tinubu's Govt Empowers Youths, Offers Inclusive Opportunities

In a recent interview with ARISE NEWS, Jolomi Ejeye, the national coordinator of the Coalition of Progressive Youth, expressed his satisfaction with the current administration's efforts to involve youths in governance. He stated that, for the first time in Nigerian history, youths are being given a chance to participate in the government. Ejeye highlighted the appointment of a Youth Minister within the constitutional age bracket of the African Youth Charter, as well as the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, who is also a youth. Additionally, Sunday Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, is a youth. Ejeye advised Nigerian youths to take advantage of government policies, such as the Student Loan Bill introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which provides an opportunity for every youth and student to attend university or school, regardless of their financial capacity. He also mentioned the Nigerian Youth Academy, set up by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, which trains youths with various skills and empowers them to create their own businesses. Ejeye attributed the limited uptake of these opportunities to misinformation and a lack of awareness among young Nigerians. He encouraged youths to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and use their abilities to positively impact others, while warning against social vices such as cultism and drug abuse. Ejeye described Nigerian youths as some of the most hardworking young people in the world and urged them to attend educational programs, symposiums, and colloquiums, as well as read widely to gain knowledge that can help them develop practical solutions to their challenges. He also encouraged young Nigerians to use social media positively to spread good energy and create opportunities for themselves, citing social media personalities such as Sabinus and Peller as examples of young Nigerians who have turned their platforms into sources of income.