Youth group canvasses vocational centres to tackle unemployment
By EricJames Ochigbo
The Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria (IEYAN), an amalgamation of 698 youth groups has urged President Bola Tinubu to develop vocational centres across the country to ameliorate the scourge of unemployment.
The President of the association, Mr Azeez Balogun made the call at the 2023 Annual IEYAN National Youths and Women Conference in Abuja.
“We need the government to construct youth empowerment centres across the country to ameliorate unemployment among the teeming unemployed graduates in Nigeria.
“Let me state this expressly that, youth engagegement in meaningful businesses and skills experdition is the major panacea to most of our existential challenges as a nation.
“I therefore implore our leaders and decision making bodies never to relent in placing the feet of youths in a prosperous and succesful path,” he said.
Balogun said that IEYAN is in full support of Tinubu’s economic policies especially the removal of petrol subsidy and floatation of Forex.
He said that youths are instruments of positive change and advocates of good governance across the country.
According to him, the amalgamation is aware that Tinubu is battling with a plethora of criticisms as a result of some economic policies following the temporarily hardship on Nigerians.
“Undoubtedly, the opposition and political antagonists of Mr President are everywhere to take advantage of the temporary hardship occasioned by the introduction of these economic policies to instigate Nigerians against him and APC in general
“Therefore, IEYAN as a proponent of democratic principles and upholder of masses oriented government, the onus is on every members of this noble youth organisation to sensitise the general public.
“We are to do so in our different capacities; tell about the good and benefits Nigerians stand to gain from the policies of Tinubu-led administration.,” he said.
Balogun urged Tinubu to find members of IEYAN worthy of appointment into various boards of Federal Government agencies.
According to him, the youths needs more opportunities to enhance full participation in governance by creating easier and enabling environment for youths to display their political and administrative dexterities.
He also solicited for sponsorship to enable members participate in international youth conferences and entrepreneurship training.
