Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the empowerment of women and youth throughout the country.
The country’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who disclosed this, said it would be actualised through key initiatives in financial inclusion, skills development, job creation, peace and security, among others.
He stated this when he received a delegation from the United Nations, led by its Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Dr Felipe Paullier, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“On behalf of the President, I reaffirm this administration’s commitment to youth development. It is almost inevitable in any dispensation. The youths are the backbone of every society’s transformation,” VP Shettima stated.
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He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledges the potential of the youth “as the engine of change and growth who cannot be treated as a mere statistical power house.”
Restating the commitment of the Nigerian Government to collaborate more closely with the United Nations to actualise its objectives for youth and women empowerment across the country, VP Shettima noted that “they are the pillar of the moment upon whom the future of the nation rests.”
He maintained that President Tinubu “believes in gender equality and youth empowerment”, adding that, under the administration, “the anticipated demographic bulge will be transformed into demographic dividends”.
He proposed the creation of institutional mechanisms to midwife the advancement of Nigeria’s objectives for youths and women, working in collaboration with the United Nations and other partners.
Earlier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General expressed appreciation and honour at a meeting with the Vice President, noting that it was his first visit to Nigeria.
He recalled that in 2022, the UN General Assembly created a new office to oversee the UN’s support for youths globally in several areas, including the protection of human rights, training, and skills development.
Dr Paullier stated that visiting Nigeria was essential because of the country’s role as a global player in advancing the cause of young people.
He explained that the UN youth delegation is in the country to support the Federal Government’s development vision, in addition to the multi-level support provided by UN agencies in Nigeria.
The UN Assistant Secretary-General added that Nigeria is on the right development path, stressing that if relevant authorities continue to place Nigerian youths at the heart of critical decisions, development and innovation will be accelerated.