Nigeria To Generate N75b In youth, Sports Devt In 3 years – Lawan
David Onimisi Lawani
The National Youth Innovation Programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, has capacity to generate N25 billion annually over the next three years, Senate President, Ahmad Law an, has said.
Lawan, who spoke on Thursday at the Nigeria/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV consultation exercise, said the country is now taking steps towards improving social and economic needs of youth through prioritized implementation to show a sustained commitment to policies and programmes.
Giving the outlook for much more involvement of youth in terms of social, economic engagement and the required greater recognition, the Senate President said one of such is the re-launch/flag off of the National Young Farmers Scheme (NYFS), by President Muhammad Buhari on 9th November 2020.
Lawan also tipped Nigeria for path of economic growth despite the prevailing challenges while cataloguing efforts being made by the Nigerian government at promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in the country.
He told the participants at the virtual exercise that Nigeria had resolved to safeguard social, economic and political stability through value adding actions.
Lawan said: “We have similarly been focused on timing of processes like the annual budget, to make it more predictable, and organised. Presently, we are in the middle of resolving the long-standing Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), consistent with our determination to pass Bills with caution and precision.
“We are sustaining this path of timeliness, to eliminate avoidable delays in the legislative and governance processes. Added to this is our commitment to our oversight functions, to ensure that implementation is in tandem with our economic vision. The goal of the administration is therefore hinged around a productive economy, a sustainable growth, and the reduction of poverty.
“We prepare our Budgets towards executing the National Plan for economic progress, for the good of the people. We are dedicated to this, and we welcome support, meant for their successes,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said the 2021 budget currently being processed by the National Assembly is aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges including unemployment.
“I believe we are on the right path. The budget estimates presented to us at the National Assembly have been designed in such a way that job opportunities will be created for more Nigerians to be engaged in productive activities,” Lawan said.
