The Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim said the ministry would engage relevant youth bodies in any decision-making process concerning them.

Mr Bio-Ibrahim said this on Monday in Abuja when the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria paid her a visit.

Head, Press and Public Relations Unit in the ministry, Maryam Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement.

Mr Bio-Ibrahim said that the meeting was long overdue and attributed the delay to her desire to adequately make preparations to attend to their demands.

He said, ‘‘The ministry is prepared to ensure that its engagement with the youth yields meaningful results. We are mindful not to sell the message of falsehood to the youth as the trust between government and the young people has long been broken.

“The ministry has made plans to take proactive measures to ensure that trust is built and building that trust, must be on the foundation of sincerity and transparency.’’

Mr Bio-Ibrahim promised them that she would not betray the confidence that the president reposed in her through her appointment as minister of youth.

She said that the President had not made a mistake by appointing her as a minister.

“I want to assure you that I came prepared, I understand the challenges confronting the youth because I am one of you. Also, there is the need for the ministry to be adequately funded as it is currently short of funds,” she said.

The minister said that the ministry needed extra budgetary funding.

According to her, she has started working in that direction since assuming office.

Speaking on the National Youth Investment Fund, the minister said that disbursement had presently been put on hold at her behest, to study the entire scheme and probably make some input before continuing.

“For the review of the National Youth Policy Committee, the list of its membership is undergoing some adjustments which will include 60 per cent for the youth and 40 per cent for the older generation, as the youth cannot do it alone,” she said.

Earlier, President, NYCN, Sukubi Sukubo, said that the purpose of the visit was to draw the minister’s attention to their grievances, with the ministry being the apex body of youths in Nigeria.

According to him, in spite of their mandates as the apex body, the desired recognition has not been accorded them despite fighting for the creation of the ministry which led to the demerger of the former Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

He said that the council wanted the ministry to carry them along when drafting its budget, and there should be adequate flow of information between them and the ministry.

According to him, the council should fully be involved in the implementation of programmes.

The Director, Network and Social Mobilisation Department of the ministry, Mrs Amina Daura, said the council was an umbrella body representing the interest and aspirations of youths at both national and international levels.

She explained the council was founded in 1964 as a platform for youth engagement, empowerment, and participation in governance, with core principles of promoting peace, unity and ensuring the voices of young people were heard.

(NAN)