UNESCO Laureate Canvasses for Youth Empowerment for National Development

UNESCO Laureate Canvasses for Youth Empowerment for National Development

UNESCO Laureate, Professor Emeritus On Merit, the Vice Chancellor Crown University International Chartered Inc., Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, has tasked the Federal Government of Nigeria on giving priority to youth empowerment so as to promote National Economy Development.

The UNESCO Laureate who is also a World Distinguished Professor Of Information Communication Technology (ICT) made this assertion in Kano while speaking as the special guest 2020 Inaugural Lecture Nigerian Youth Summit organized by the leadership Of Youth Assembly Of Nigeria (Yan), Kano State Chapter.

Sir Aremu emphasized that the wheel of development of any country lies on the shoulder of how productive and creative the youthful populations are.

In his speech titled “The Role Of Nigerian Youth, Panacea To National And Economy Development”, he noted that Nigeria could by 2030 reap the benefits of what some called a “demographic dividend” if it invest now in human development.

He highlighted that “The crucial issue of creating an enabling environment for d youth to bring their productive capacity and resourcefulness to bear on the political and developmental process should be accorded priority attention for national economy development”.

According to him, recent studies had proved that, youths are not consulted and involved in the Developmental strategies of Nigeria as a  country, which no doubt, has slowed down their contributions to the national sustainable developmental process of the nation.

Furthermore, the UNESCO laureate said if the government create an enabling environment and help channel the youth energy in the right direction rather than for self interests and corrupt practices, the youths are the determiners of peace and stability of a nation.

“Youths take more risks than the older Population, more educated, friendly to  technologies, challenge certain norms  and socio-political processes capable of fostering development.

Speaking on the challenges, “In Nigeria , experience has shown that the youths are used by selfish and bankrupt politicians to pervert the process of elections. Recent studies had proved that, youths are not Consulted and involved in the Developmental strategies of Nigeria as a  country, which no  doubt, has slowed down their contributions to the national sustainable developmental process of the nation.

Young people in Africa, especially in Nigeria youths are  faced with
Numerous Challenges,  which included amongst others: Epidemic
diseases such as HIV/AIDS, lack of education, lack of training and appropriate skills, lack of employment  opportunities, underemployment, lower domestic capital formation for the youths,  lack of participation in the decision-making process of their country, lack of access to Medical services, poor political education and enlightenment,  lack of adequate funds and equipment.

The above-mentioned are the  products of misgovernance from political elites, thereby hindering good governance, accountability, transparency, Probity and responsibility to the citizenry and Consequently impedes future maximum contributions of youths on national Economic  Developments of the nation”, Sir Aremu stressed.

The UNESCO laureate added that the society, stakeholders should utilized properly their talents for socio-economic growth and  development rather than hinder the potential, which may amount to o economic losses, armed conflicts, political and social instability- as demostrated recently by Arab spring.

“The rights of the Youths should be protected providing them with the support  they need to contribute to the health and well-being of the society to address the challenges of highlights policy and recommendations in the key issues of education and training, economic opportunities, health and sexuality.

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“To address the challenges youth policy objectives in Nigeria towards National and economic development in Nigeria, Africa and globally policymakers, stakeholders factors such as adequate information about Youths is necessary in the design of  policy, weak coordination among government agencies, donors, regional organizations and amongst other suitable policies to deal with the problems of Nigerian, African youths and others with global perspective”, he noted.