The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments to ensure the effective implementation of youth development policies and programmes across the country.
Comrade Olawande made the call while hosting the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Plateau State, Comrade Prince Niaphen, who paid him a courtesy visit to discuss areas of collaboration and strategies for strengthening youth development initiatives in Plateau State and across the country.
The Honourable Minister, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, stressed that the success of the Federal Government’s youth development initiatives depended largely on the support and cooperation of States and Local Governments, noting that government programmes must reach young people at the grassroots.
“You cannot work at the Federal Ministry without having the sub-nationals support you. If you are doing anything at the national level and the State does not align with it, it will go nowhere,” he said.
The Minister commended the Commissioner for his leadership and commitment to mentorship, describing him as a leader who has consistently invested in grooming others to assume positions of responsibility.
“You are indeed a mentor. You are not like those who go through a post or position and leave without anybody to take over from them. You are grooming others to become like you and maybe even better,” he said.
He described the Federal Ministry of Youth Development as the appropriate home and constituency for all stakeholders committed to advancing the interests and well-being of young Nigerians, while encouraging Commissioners and other stakeholders to deepen their partnership with the Ministry.
“This is your constituency as far as youth is concerned. This is where you can call home at the Federal level,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with State Governments, Local Governments and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to thrive.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigerian youths, describing them as “not only creative and innovative, but also resilient,” and stressed that sustained collaboration across all levels of government remained critical to unlocking their full potential and building a stronger future for Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Plateau State, Comrade Prince Niaphen, appreciated the Honourable Minister for the warm reception and expressed the readiness of the Plateau State Government to strengthen its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
He noted that the State remained committed to supporting youth-focused programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering young people, developing their skills and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to the development of Plateau State and Nigeria.
Omolara Esan
Director (Information and Public Relations)
