Vice President Kashim Shettima says the federal government is working to establish a national youth development bank and a youth data bank.

He said this at the 60th anniversary celebration of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Mr Shettima, represented by his technical adviser on women and youth engagement, Hauwa Liman, said the youth development and data bank would ensure that young Nigerians had the resources, information and access needed to succeed.

He said the celebration was a moment to reflect on the opportunities before the youths and affirm a commitment to a Nigeria where the youths are not merely bystanders in the journey but participants in a shared future.

“This celebration is a privilege and, more importantly, a responsibility to harness the energy, creativity and talents of the youths to build a prosperous and inclusive nation,” he said.

Mr Shettima said President Bola Tinubu had assembled some of the finest young people to form the backbone of his government based on his conviction that the future cannot be planned without the young ones at the decision-making table.

He said youth inclusion by Tinubu’s administration was not just a policy but a cornerstone of the administration’s vision for Nigeria.

“Many of the ministers are youths, and for the first time in our political history, the leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress is fully a representative of the young generation.

“The present administration had prioritised initiatives that empower young Nigerians to excel in education, entrepreneurship and creative and digital industries,” he said.

Mr Shettima stated that the administration had implemented transformative programmes like the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters, backed by N110 billion, to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and industry.

“The student loan scheme and the Nigeria education loan fund are breaking down financial barriers for higher education, ensuring that every Nigerian student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams,” he said.

He urged the youths to use the vast opportunity to transform the world and dominate the digital economy, creative industry and entrepreneur space.

In a speech, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers said his administration is investing in programmes, projects and policies that intend to showcase the raw talents of Rivers youths and empower them meaningfully.

Mr Fubara, represented by his chief of staff, Edison Ehie, said the state government’s investment in education across tertiary institutions on a scholarship scheme was ongoing.

“The state government is also investing in skill acquisition programmes across the 23 local government areas, including meaningful projects from which the Rivers people are benefitting directly.

Mr Fubara said the crime rate in the state had dropped drastically due to the state government’s plans and programmes for the youths.

He advised the NYCN to continually and peacefully engage government at all levels, multinational institutions and the National Assembly to propose youth-friendly legislation that would benefit Nigerian youths.

The president of the council, Sara-Igbe Sukubo, appealed to the federal government and the National Assembly to make policies and legislations that would accelerate the country’s economic growth.

(NAN)