After many years of internal crisis, the Federal Government has finally intervened and returned peace to the National Youth Council of Nigeria with all factions resolving to work together as one indivisible entity.
The news of the reconciliation was contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister (Media and Communication), John-Joshua Akanji, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, said, “Due to the crisis, the National Youth Council of Nigeria was made ineffective, but we are happy that we now have one leadership. You have a role to play in policy action using what we have achieved for the benefit of the youth.
“The past is behind us now, the government is in a hurry to partner with the youth for engagement and development. It is time to have a united front. Let us focus on something bigger and go forward.”
The Minister assured that he would soon arrange for a meeting between the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to meet with the NYCN in furtherance of the government’s engagement with the youth.
He said although the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund was meant to create entrepreneurs, the government cannot put huge funds in the hands of 15-year-olds.
According to him, such disparities led to the pegging of the age of beneficiaries at 18-35 years.
The President of the NYCN, Sokubo Igbe Sokubo said, “We thank the Minister for intervening to bring peace to the Nigerian Youth Council of Nigeria. We believe that after all the long-drawn- battle, the youth have put behind the past to forge a new direction. We are happy that we have won the battle that stalled our progress.”
