A 25 member Youth Sounding Baord has been inaugurated for the country.
This is as the Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Mr. Sunday Dare called for an agenda of action by the EU that the Nigerian government can buy into.
The board which was inaugurated by the Federal Government in conjunction with the European Union (EU) is to support the country in shaping and implementing EU programmes and strategies in the country for more youth inclusiveness.
The Partnership between Nigeria and EU aimed at boosting Green and digital economy, good governance, peace and human development.
The overall goal, it was also gathered is to empower the Nigerian youth to develop their talents.
The inauguration of the board is therefore part of the EU’s commitment to incorporating young Nigerians in its decision-making process. Members of the EU Youth Sounding Board (EU-YSB) will have an unpaid mandate of two years. The Board serves as a bridge between young Nigerians and the Delegation.
Nigeria Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, during his remark at the occasion said noted that the 25 youth that have been picked went through a credible process and charged them to be worthy ambassadors of the country, adding that the launch of the EU Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria is a big opportunity for the youth.
Dare however, called for an agenda of action by the EU so that the Nigerian government can plough into it and design its national policies and initiatives.
“We have the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund to invest in their innovative skills of the youth, their ideas, and enterprise, he said adding that.“ about 6000 youth have benefited from the Fund”.
The EU has been a worthy partner in youth development and investment, stressing that “the continuous engagement of our youth is the only way we can meet them at the point of their needs.”
Charge D’ Affairs of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Alexander Borges- Gomes, in his opening remarks said “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.”
He said members of the Board were selected out of hundreds of applications of young and motivated Nigerians from across the country. “Specifically, you were selected based on your 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,” he said.
Mr Borges Gomes said the 25 youths had proven track record of playing outstanding roles in their communities, both online and online or offline, and had setup and participated in creative and innovative initiatives to empower youth at the grassroots level.
With over 60% of the population below the age of 25 years, youth in Nigeria are a huge driver for change and innovation. In ongoing EU programmes, youth is already engaged in different subjects ranging from peace and security, to vocational training, and eradication of gender-based violence. A key lesson learnt in these engagements, is that lasting change and innovation lies with youth.
“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,” Mr Borges Gomes stated.
In Nigeria, the EUD is working on its new programme for EU’s support to Nigeria 2021 – 2027. In this programme, youth is a central feature across all priority areas. The role of the EU-YSB will, therefore, be instrumental in ensuring that the voices of youth are taken into account in the shaping and implementation of this new programme for Nigeria.
“Your role will also be key to ensure the youth leads on implementation of EU programmes as true drivers of change and to monitor and provide structural feedback on whether the objectives of youth engagement in EU policy and implementation are being met,” he added.
The Head of the EU- Nigeria Cooperation Cecil Tassin –Pelzer in her remarks said the three key areas of partnership with Nigeria which are green and digital economy, governance and peace, migration and human development will help boost economic development, social development and human rights.
