As Nigeria celebrates her 64th independence anniversary, the country’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris says the focus of the government is on the youth.
The Minister, who disclosed this in an interview with Voice of Nigeria, said the reason for doing so is to secure the future of the country.
He made the declaration in an interview with Voice of Nigeria at the end of a special parade held at the State House as the grand finale of events organized to mark this year’s independence anniversary.
Referring to the planned 30-day conference for the youth, which the Nigerian leader mentioned in his national day broadcast of Tuesday, the Information Minister stressed that right from his assumption of office, the President had laudable plans for the youth because he understands their role in nation building.
“Recall that the president has also put in place a lot of youth-centric programmes; the students’ loan is there, the youth entrepreneurship programme is there and all other programmes for the youth because they are the future of this country and the President believes that for all of us to match on there must be a focus on the youth
“We all hope and we all believe that we will come together and Nigeria will be better for it,” he said.
His Budget and National Planning counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, corroborated by saying the President being the father of the nation, understands the need for his children to interface with one another, thus the planned confab.
“The President is the father of the nation and a father knows that the younger ones are the leaders of tomorrow, they will be the ones to carry on the legacy. The President is desirous that our younger ones should communicate in order to remind themselves to know how to compete with the world so that they can be our representatives; so that all the policies that are being introduced in order to give them a very proud nation should help them take on the world,” the minister stated.
Both Ministers highlighted the significance of the 2024 Independence Day ceremony.
Idris said: “It is wonderful, you can see how Nigerians have all come together from all walks of life, they have gathered here and they have put aside some of those temporary challenges that they have.
“They have shown belief in this country, they have shown support for the President as well as support the course of this administration and also show that despite all our challenges, Nigeria is a very resilient country and we are all coming together to march on to that prosperity that the President has promised all of us and by God’s grace we are all going there.”
On his part, Bagudu said: “The President in his broadcast to the nation today, left no one in doubt about his belief in Nigeria. The parade we witnessed here equally reflects the mood of optimism. The security agencies have been making gains almost on a daily basis.
“The showpiece by the cultural troop that performed here today conveyed the message that Nigeria is better together; that we can achieve more if we unite.”
Activities marking this year’s Independence Day celebration started with a world press conference on Thursday, Sept 26th, followed by a special Jumma’at prayer and an interdenominational church service, the President’s broadcast culmination with a special parade organized by the Presidential Guards Brigade.
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