The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has said that Nigeria’s democracy is undergoing a youth revolution, as an increasing number of youths are engaging in dialogues about the future of the country.
The minister stated this at the 2022 International Youth Day with the theme: “Positive Youth Engagement Towards Peaceful Election in Nigeria”.
Dare, represented by Mrs Lami Bature, an Assistant Director in the ministry was speaking at a stakeholders forum organised by the African Youth Resource Centre (AYRC) on Friday in Abuja.
He said without the country recognising youths as political actors, their trajectories in political participation would likely be ignored, wasted and at best, under-utilised.
He said that there was an urgent need to fully assimilate young people’s unique aptitudes, strengths and perspectives into the broader development paradigm.
In his words, “it is evident in the fact that wherever you look in the virtual world, you will behold an increasing number of our youths passionately engaging themselves in dialogues about the future of our country.’’
Dare said that the ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders was committed to promoting an enabling environment for youths to facilitate their participation in decision-making processes.
He said that he was also committed to reinforcing the capacities of youth-led organisations and expanding opportunities for young people to aspire to leadership positions.
(NAN)