The Peoples Democratic Party youth leader, Ibrahim Bala-Aboki, has announced a plan by its youth arm to train 100 youths in different vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Mr Bala-Aboki disclosed this at an event marking the 2026 International Youth Day at the party’s national headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja. He said his office designed the initiative to promote youth empowerment, self-reliance, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable livelihood for youths across the country.

Mr Bala-Aboki said the 100 beneficiaries would be train-the-trainers who would thereafter be expected to train 38,000 other youths across the country.

“As we celebrate the International Youth Day today, let us remember that young people are not leaders of tomorrow alone; we are leaders, partners and stakeholders as well.

“Under the present leadership, we are collaborating with Destiny Hotshot Synergy International to train 100 youths under the train-the-trainers initiative aimed at empowering youths across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Mr Bala-Aboki said that his leadership vision was to give young people a stronger voice, a greater role and a meaningful stake in the future of the PDP and democracy in Nigeria.

“For instance, within the first 100 days in office, we have focused on mobilisation, inclusion, empowerment, participation and grassroots development,” he said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to building a “youth structure that is inclusive, vibrant, disciplined, innovative and grassroots-driven.”

Mr Bala-Aboki restated the need to collectively create greater opportunities for young people, strengthen PDP structures and deepen youth participation in democratic governance.

Former Governor Sule Lamido, who was the chairman of the occasion, called for greater investment in the Nigerian youth.

Mr Lamido described youth as the backbone of humanity, the vanguard of positive change, and the pillars of stability globally.

He said that despite their potential, Nigerian youths face employment challenges, a mismatched education system, a high cost of living and a lack of mentorship, among other issues.

The former governor reiterated the need for job creation and mentorship, stating that the PDP and its candidates in 2027 were committed to prioritising youth inclusion and development.

The PDP national director of administration, Arthur Ekwelem, urged young Nigerians to recognise their numerical strength, energy, creativity and ability to mobilise as important tools for influencing electoral outcomes.

Mr Ekwelem said active and informed participation by young Nigerians could significantly strengthen the country’s democracy. He said the withdrawal of citizens from the electoral process weakens democratic institutions and creates room for the emergence of poor leadership.

He identified distrust in political institutions, fear of electoral violence, economic hardship, misinformation and disinformation, inadequate civic education and logistical challenges as some of the factors contributing to voter apathy.

The director-general of the PDP Female Youth Wing, Loveth Izekor, called for greater opportunities, funding and political tickets for young women.

Ms Izekor urged young women to move beyond being mobilised for political activities and become decision-makers capable of setting political agendas.

Ms Izekor called on political leaders and stakeholders to provide young women with the tools, funding and opportunities needed to compete effectively in politics.

(NAN)