The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, has commended the Taraba State Government for providing a N500 million soft grant to support young people in the state.
The minister gave the commendation while participating in the Taraba State Youth Empowerment Programme in Jalingo, where the state unveiled its Youth Development Roadmap 2026-2031 and Long-Term Youth Agenda 2050.
Olawande praised the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for backing his commitment to youth development with concrete initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young people.
He also commended the Executive Chairman of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Hon. Prince Gara Soyongha Nongha, and the agency’s management for their efforts in translating the governor’s vision into practical programmes.
The minister was also honoured with an award by the Future-Ready Youth Initiative, founded by Deborah John, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Education, in recognition of his contributions to youth development.
Ayodele also unveiled a book titled Future Ready, for which he wrote the foreword.
According to the minister, the youth intervention in Taraba complements ongoing efforts by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development through NiYA StartUp, an initiative aimed at supporting young Nigerians to establish businesses, create jobs and develop solutions to societal challenges.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
“The Federal Government cannot reach every young person alone. We need states, the private sector and other partners working alongside us,” the minister said.
Ayodele maintained that deliberate investments in youth development by more states would help expand access to opportunities, support more businesses and transform Nigeria’s large youth population into a major national asset.
As part of his activities in Jalingo, the minister also visited the NYSC Orientation Camp, where he interacted with corps members undergoing the mandatory three-week orientation programme.
He urged the corps members to regard the National Youth Service not merely as a statutory obligation but as an opportunity for service, personal development and preparation for life after the programme.
The minister said youth development should focus not only on creating opportunities for young people in the present but also on equipping them with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in the future.
