01/11/2021
The National Youth Conference officially started on Monday, 1st November 2021, with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, Honourable Minister Mr. Sunday Dare (FMYSD), Honourable Minister Lai Mohammed (FMIC), HM of State Foreign Affairs, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Honourable Minister of State (Represented), Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Represented), Honourable Minister of Agriculture (Represented), Ambassador of EU, DG NYSC, Senior Special Adviser to the President- Hajiya, Barrister Ismail and other important dignitaries all present, with a vast majority of Nigerian Youths from different states within the country also present.
The Honourable Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, in giving his opening remarks stated, Nigeria joins the Continent in marking the Africa Youth Day, and November 1, is a day dedicated to celebrate Nigerian youths as a National Youth Day by the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Honourable Minister went on to thank, The Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria, European Union, Zinox, Suburban, Halogen, Access Bank, Stanbic Bank, Fidelity Bank, Nestle and others for plugging into the public private partnership adopted to make this possible.
In conclusion he stated, “This Conference is not about Government standing aloof to watch the youth perform some stage play. It is not also the opposite. This is a collaboration. This is Government and the Nigerian Youth standing shoulder-to-shoulder, walking and working together as one and staying on the same page. Changing our stories for the better”.
Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing His Excellency President Muhamadu Buhari GCFR in giving his opening address stated, "We recognize that our young people are this country’s most strategic asset. Investing in them is clearly investing in the economic strength and development of our nation”.
In conclusion to inspire the youths, he noted: "Wherever you are in this country, whatever you are doing, keep moving, don’t look back, you will win eventually, keep moving ahead, whatever the situation - 'We Move',".
The first plenary session was moderated by Mr. Olufemi Adeagbo –Principal, Comnavig ICT Advisers, with the following panellists – Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister, FMYSD, Mrs. Pauline Tallen-Honorable Minister of women Affairs, Ms. Rebecca … on the topic titled: National building and Inclusivity.
The Second Plenary Session was moderated by Mrs. Nneka Onyali Ikpe (Chief Executive Officer Fidelity Bank) with the following panellists – Mrs. Dame Pauline Tallen- Hon Minister, Women Affairs, Mrs Nneka-Onyali Ikpe –Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc. –Keynote Speaker, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe –Deputy Governor Kaduna State, Dame Julie Okah Donli – Executive Chairman Roost Foundation, Captain Banke Olayiwa- Boeing 747 Dreamlifter Pilot on the topic titled: Addressing Gender Inequality: Creating More Opportunities for Women and Laying the Foundation for a Peaceful and Prosperous Nigeria
The Event for Day one (1) officially ended by 4:30pm with a debrief of the scheduled events for the next day, 2nd November which has three (3) break-out sessions focusing on Education, Innovation & Technology for Youth Development, Politics, Nation Building, Peace, Unity & Security and Soft Power of Sports, Entertainment & Creatives.
