Nigerian Youths Are Our Most Strategic Assets, We Must Invest in Them – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment towards empowering Nigerian youths.

The president, who spoke on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a three-day national youth conference themed, ‘Youth Inclusiveness-Governance, Security and Employment’, described Nigerian youths as the “country’s most strategic asset.”

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Buhari, represented by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said: “We recognise that our young people are this country’s most strategic asset. Investing in them is investing in the economic strength and development of our nation,”

Buhari cited the recently approved increase of N-Power beneficiaries from 500,000 to one million as one of the youth development-focused initiatives he has established.

He said: “This is why I recently approved the investing in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, an over 600 million dollars programme supported by the AfDB which will support young tech and creative sector entrepreneurs through the provision of finance, skills development and infrastructure,” 

Buhari added: “While differences of opinion in respect of official policies are normal in liberal democracies such as ours, but out of respect for the rights and sensitivities of others, disagreement must be tempered and channelled through legally and socially acceptable means,”

“Most importantly, we must keep our faith in our country and remain optimistic that it will serve as the locus for fulfilling our aspirations.

“Building a nation is an intergenerational endeavour; I think this is a particularly important point; governments can be changed in electoral cycles, but the destiny of a nation is shaped across generations.

“This country is ours — above and beyond partisan squabbles, disagreements and everything else — the future will be what we make of it.”

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NAN further quoted the president as saying: “By signing into law of the ‘Not too Young to Run’ bill almost three years ago opened the door for youth inclusion in our political process and by extension, in governance,”