The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has extolled the role of the youth to bring about the national development of the country.
Angela Nkwocha, an aide to Tallen, disclosed this in Abuja at a programme organised by Teens and Nubile Club, a Non-Governmental Organisation which aims at transforming the mindset of the Nigerian youth for sustainable national development.
She stated that no nation could develop when a large percentage of its population were idle and ineffective.
The minister said a society that prepared the youth for the sake of future aspirations would secure its future development.
She said it would also prepare its next set of leaders who would champion reconciliation and development.
“Therefore, the role of the youth in national development is sacrosanct to the whole development aspiration of any society.
“The youth in any society are the engine of growth and development; because they provide the labour force for production of goods and services to take effect.
“They are also the critical stakeholders, whose action and inaction can develop or destroy the fabrics of our society.
“Given their strategic role, the youth have the greater responsibility to promote peace, security, stability and national unity through their active involvement in the electoral process.
She stressed that they are there to build bridges of understanding across ethnic groups, political affiliations and religious divide.
