It was a gathering of thousands of youths in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital as youths from all parts of the State and other eminent personalities across the country converged to chart a new way for Nigerian Youths.
The programme tagged, “Renewed Hope Agenda: A Concrete Foundation for a prosperous Nigeria”, was put together by the CityBoy Movement, Ogun State chapter.
Speaking at the one day event, an aide to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Kamorudeen Yusuf, called on the Nigerian youths to make good use of the opportunities created by the government in order to lift the burden of economic challenges.
Yusuf explained that the programme was organised to empower youth and boost the local economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.
The Presidential aide noted that the government has rolled out a number of policies and empowerment programmes for the youth and businesses especially under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) and urged the young population to tap into them.
Yusuf said the government has created the opportunity but it now left to the youth to lift the burden by themselves.
He said “It’s the responsibility of the government to create an opportunity for the youths. It’s now the duty of every youth to lift the burden by himself. You don’t have to wait until the government comes to lift the burden, the government will never come to lift the burden on you.
“But the opportunities will be created just like what we did today, empowerment be given to some youths. But if there’s no adequate supervision, people will collect it and spend it in a mischievous ways whereby they will not be able to account for it.
“For everyone who has been given the opportunity either by individuals or the government, they should make proper use of it.”
The youth Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to create jobs for the youth and boost the local economy.
“This government is doing everything possible so that the economy can be balanced and create jobs for the young people. This government is all about the young people,” Olawande said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr Oluwatoyin Taiwo, applauded the CityBoy Movement empowerment initiative.
Abiodun noted that President Tinubu’s led government has become a beacon of process in ensuring that Nigeriana youths “are only heard but are also active in shaping decisions that affect their lives.”
The Convener, Dr Sulaimon Lateef, disclosed that no fewer than 50 medium scale business owners were given N500,000 grant each, while 100 small-scale businesses owners went home with N200,000 each.
He added nano businesses enjoyed 50,000 each alongside market Women in Ilaro, Sagamu, Abeokuta.
Lateef also said chairs and tables were provided for school students across the state.
The summit was attended by the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, among others.
The President’s son who is the founder and grand patron of CityBoy Movement, awarded about N14million grants to five young tech innovators in the state.
