The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS on Monday
inaugurated a 25-member Youth Sounding Board, a body of young Nigerians, who
will help in shaping and implementing EU programmes and strategies in the
country for more inclusiveness.
The union said the inauguration was part of its commitment
to incorporating young Nigerians in its decision-making process.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Charge d’Affaires at the
EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Alexandre Gomes, said the members of
the EU-YSB will have an unpaid mandate of two years, noting that the board
serves as a bridge between young Nigerians and the EU Delegation.
He stated, “The Youth Sounding Board will allow young people to have an influence on the policy and programmes of the EU in Nigeria, thereby contributing to making EU action more participatory, relevant and effective for the large young population in Nigeria.”
According to Gomes, the board members were selected based on
their knowledge and experience in one or more of the areas that are of key
interest to the EU, including gender equality, youth inclusion, climate change,
and culture, out of hundreds of applications from across the country.
The diplomat observed that the 25 youths had a proven track
record of playing outstanding roles in their communities, both online and
online or offline, and had set up and participated in creative and innovative
initiatives to empower youth at the grassroots level.
“The EU, therefore, believes that the future of Nigeria will
largely depend on the ability to provide young Nigerians with opportunities for
employment, education, health and access to decision-making processes,” Gomes
stated.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Youths Development
and Sports, Sunday Dare, described the board as a window of opportunity for the
youths, stressing the need for agenda for action.
The minister claimed that the Federal Government is fighting
poverty with various empowerment initiatives, noting that about 6,000 Nigerians
have benefitted from the Nigerian Youths Investment Fund since its
establishment last year.
Dare stated, “Exactly one month from today, we are going to
have the first national youth conference; 370 Nigerian youths under one roof,
meeting for four days on five thematic areas. They will set an agenda for
action and present it to the Federal Government. We believe that would be a
major event for our youths.”
Speaking on behalf of other board members, Ismail Bello said
he was excited to be amongst the first set of beneficiaries of the initiative
even as he urged the EU to sustain it p as a way of creating opportunities for
young people and youth organisations to express their views, connect and
exchange ideas.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com