Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to youth empowerment, emphasizing its crucial role in Nigeria’s development strategy and Africa’s broader integration goals.
Speaking at the 2024 Youth Legacy Conference, Shettima stressed that youths are the fulcrum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, driving national progress.
Shettima noted that investing in youths is vital for any nation’s prosperity, as they are not just leaders of tomorrow but also anchors of today.
President Tinubu is committed to ensuring youths have a voice and are active participants in shaping Nigeria’s collective destiny.
Shettima, who was represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said: “There is no nation that can prosper without investing in its youth. They are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are also the anchors of today.”
The conference, with the theme “Shaping Africa’s Future with AfCFTA and Agenda 2063,” highlighted the alignment between Nigeria’s youth-focused initiatives and Africa’s development blueprints.
Shettima noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 present vast opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
The Vice President commended initiatives like the Mandela Washington Fellows for their exemplary leadership and service, inspiring generations to come.
He also emphasized the administration’s engagement with youths, infusing fresh ideas into seasoned experience to strengthen the nation.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard M. Mills, urged the association to build a network of free trade areas, fostering ideas and human connections across Africa. Mills commended Vice President Shettima for his support towards the event’s success.
“Over the past decades, the programme has facilitated the emergence of employment and promotion of thousands of young Africans,” the diplomat said.
The conference saw the launch of the Ubuntu Trade App, a digital innovation bolstering Africa’s trade integration and market access for young entrepreneurs.
Technical Adviser to the Vice President, Hajiya Hauwa Liman, noted that Africa’s future rests in the hands of its youths, with over 60% of the population under 25.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a unique opportunity to redefine Africa’s economic trajectory, while Agenda 2063 provides the roadmap for the Africa we want—a continent of shared prosperity, unity, and innovation.
“Today, as we launch the Ubuntu Trade App, we mark a significant milestone in fostering intra-African trade, empowering young entrepreneurs, and creating access to markets that transcend borders.
“As we gather here, let us remember that Africa’s future rests in our hands. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, we have a demographic advantage that, if harnessed effectively, can position our continent as a global powerhouse,” she further noted.
President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria, Ms. Farida Yahaya, highlighted the association’s significant strides in addressing Nigeria’s challenges, driven by a shared passion for service and commitment to making a difference.
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