President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, said his administration would convene a national youth conference to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting youths.

The president made the announcement in his Independence Day broadcast.

He said the conference would provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people, who constituted more than 60 per cent of the population, to participate actively in nation-building.

“By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.  

“The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice,” said the president.

He added that the modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates would be designed in close consultation with young people through their representatives.

“Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations.

“The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria.

“Our government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give our young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world,” said Mr Tinubu.

He also said his administration was implementing, amongst others, the 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone.

“We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams.

“In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).

“It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” he said.

He said the programme was aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country.

(NAN)