The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare Thursday charged Nigerian youth to make patriotism paramount and strive to be their best in personal endeavours, reiterating the need for them to key into various government initiatives which would assist in scaling up innovations.
The Minister represented by his Special Assistant on ICT & Corporate Relations, Ms. Kemi Areola stated this at the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) which was yesterday commemorated in conjunction with the 2021 International Youth Day.
Speaking to Youth from various Universities across the country, Ms Areola reeled out youth development initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports development such as the Work Experience Programme (WEP), National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), timely innovation challenges amongst others, stressing the need for conscious efforts to get information in this regard for self-development.
She further stated that with youth constituting about 60% of the Nigerian population, no great feats about the nation’s development can be celebrated without first acknowledging the immense and strategic contributions of the youth.
That said, the Minister emphasised the need for patrotism and admonished that if Nigeria will be great again, the youth must lead the renaissance and rededicate themselves to the values of honesty, integrity, humility, hardwork and above all be committed to exalting national interest, far above regional, tribal or religious considerations.
Other dignitaries at the event include the Director-General (DG) of NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, the Oniru of Iruland, HRM Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan, United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, HE Edward Kallon and a host of others.
Media Office of the Honorable Minister of Youth & Sports Development.