When Lady Jenny, a good, patriotic YOUNG Nigerian sent me a text to ask of my interest to be guest columnist on her page for 2 weeks. I was like waoh! What a privilege to write about the progress of Nigerian Youth E-Forum on the pages of newspaper known for truth in defense of freedom. “The Nation... the Nigerian youth newspaper.”
Last week on this page you read about the introduction of NYF (Nigerian Youth E – Forum) initiated by Youngstars Foundation, since the E-Forum started, to date over 500 Nigerian youth have registered contributed to 6 out of point agent to transform Nigeria and 460 total post as at (February 18) on Topics for discussion.
We shall examine week 1 & 2 report of contributions. NYF began in earnest with the 2 core topics for week 1 which was power & Energy and Food security both received a total 101 contributions and week 2 Transport and wealth creation with 160 contributions respectively. Nigerian youths raised concerns over power & Energy which includes Misappropriation of fund in the sector and increases the rate of unemployment among youth due to power instability. Their suggestions ranging from improved accountability and transparency management to progressive technocrats.
On Food security, the concern was by global definition, Nigeria is yet to attain food sufficiency despite availability of large available land. Their main suggestion that if considering agriculture will bring opportunities to young people, in Nigeria, then why not translate the NYSC scheme into an agricultural and entrepreneurship program for young graduates wholly the land is green!
On transport and wealth creation, youth argued that an educational curriculum that promotes “white collar” job should be discouraged while on transport youths concerns was absence of civil society organization, vandalization of road networks by communication companies and over dependences on road transportation against other transport system.
Their suggestions respectively on transport and wealth creation were; general reform in the transport sector on monitoring and evaluation on road construction vis-à-vis standard organization of Nigeria, while on wealth creation, a youth bank or fund for building entrepreneurs with collateral free. NAPEP and SMEDAN among other wealth creation agencies should introduce a quality standard curriculum and conduct intergenerational catalogues for young people.
Indeed young citizens of Nigeria understand how best to contribute to national issues and effective youth development. At the end of the youth E-forum a stakeholder meeting involving youth from all states of Nigeria will convene in Abuja to continue the process of engagement.
Nigeria Youth Forum is situating young people in policy and good governance. Someone has to listen to us!
Mayowa Adeniran
Guest Columnist
AYTV,Nigeria.
aytvbroadcast@yahoo.com
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