Tinubu announces National Youth Conference, 2.5 million jobs annually
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has announced plans to convene a National Youth Conference and launch his administration’s Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).
Tinubu said the empowerment programme, to be launched later in October 2024, would create 2.5 million jobs for Nigerians annually.
In his October 1 Independence Day nationwide broadcast, Tinubu said the National Youth Conference would be held for 30 days, bringing together youth representatives from all over the country.
This conference, according to Tinubu, is a platform for youth empowerment and participation in national governance, addressing pressing issues such as education, unemployment, and social justice.
“It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives. We are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.
“The 30-day confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice,” he said.
He noted that the modalities of the conference and selection of delegates would be designed in close consultation with young people through their representatives.
Tinubu further highlighted that there were several ongoing youth-centred initiatives aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the necessary tools for success.
“Our government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give our young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world. We are implementing, amongst others, the three million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone.
“We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams. In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).
“It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country,” the President said.
Tinubu to confer National honour on Akpabio, CJN, others
The President also announced the conferment of national honours to various leaders, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
He added that the government would soon announce all the beneficiaries of its national honours for 2024.
“The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the Deputy Speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON),” Tinubu noted.
