As part of the commemoration of the International Youth Day, the Nigerian Youth Parliament organized a series of events in Abuja, ending with a conference on Saturday.
The planning committee organized a video challenge competition which saw more than 200 young individuals submit videos on their vision for the future of the country.
The conference featured a distinguished line-up of more than 20 special guests who held panel sessions and delivered keynote speeches on the central theme “Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development: Unlocking Potentials, Driving Changes.”
Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee of Youth, highlighted the important role of youth in his keynote speech. He urged the youth to take up responsibility for grassroots mobilization and awareness.
“Young people have to identify their electoral wards and units as that are the entry points of politics and all the inclusion we are advocating,” Hon Akala said about youths’ participation in electoral processes.
“Platforms like Nigerian Youth Parliament also have to take responsibility of sensitisation and awareness to their community and all young peoples on the duties of the legislative arms of Government which will bridge understanding gaps of the arm,” he added.
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The panel discussed how artificial intelligence is changing the job market and displacing many workers who need soft and hard skills.
They called on the stakeholders to rethink our technical education and update our curriculum to match the current needs.
They also stressed the importance of enhancing the skills of basic education teachers and incorporating green skills as technical skills that can empower people and help fight climate change.
The Special Guest of Honour, Seyi Tinubu, gave out cheques to the winners of the #NigeriaWeWant Video Challenge competition at the end of the conference.
David Ikani, who came first, received one million naira; Imam Malik, who came second, got six hundred and fifty thousand naira; and Emmernuel Uzoamaka, who was third, took home six hundred thousand naira.
The Nigerian Youth Parliament Speaker, Rt. Hon Azeezat Yishawu thanked all the partners who supported the programme, such as the International Alert, EU, Leap Africa, Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, Nigerian-German Center for Migration and Development, PeacefulSky Travels and Tours, Bridge Sygerny, and all the special guests, panellists and participants.
Yishawu also promised that the Nigerian Youth Parliament would act on the conference’s recommendations, adopt them as the Parliament’s resolution and send them to the relevant MDAs and stakeholders.
