President Bola Tinubu has emphasized that his administration’s economic policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, are designed to safeguard the future of Nigerian youths.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking at the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the National Youth Conference at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu stressed that all his decisions were aimed at empowering the nation’s younger generation, who account for over 60% of the population.
“I want to reassure you that you are the hope of this country, and everything hangs on you. Every decision that I have taken is about you. It’s about the future,” Tinubu stated in a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
Explaining the motivation behind the fuel subsidy removal, Tinubu said the move was intended to protect the nation’s economic stability and create a better path for young Nigerians.
“When you listen to most professionals leaving Nigeria, there’s a cause. If you grow prosperity back home and empower people, they will not bother leaving. They will stay home,” Tinubu added.
The President urged the 44-member planning committee to take their responsibility seriously, assuring them that the government would implement the outcomes of their deliberations.
“This is your opportunity to develop the nation and make it prosperous. The government of today is all about you. You can be critical of politicians and abuse them all the way you can, but politics is about development and the future of generations. You are the heartbeat of our nation, and I hope you take this responsibility seriously,” Tinubu said.
He further highlighted that the ongoing economic reforms were yielding positive results, citing declining prices of essential goods and a stabilized exchange rate.
“When we started, it looked so foggy, dicey and hopeless. We worked hard, and it was like drawing water out of a dry well. But today, the economy has turned the corner; prices are falling, confidence in our economy is improving, investors are looking this way, and technology is advancing,” he said.
Tinubu assured the committee of his readiness to listen to their suggestions.
“You have a great opportunity, and I am ready to listen to you. I have heard your spokesperson’s remarks. You have a great chance of advancing the development of this country. It is all in your hands,” he said.
“My position is to help navigate, push, and lift the heavy weight of problems so that I can clear the way for you. You have a great future before you, which is in your hands. Just look me in the face and tell me whatever you think is wrong and the way forward. Be frank. We will implement your suggestions so long as they are for the country’s prosperity,” Tinubu added.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the President for prioritizing youth-focused initiatives. He praised the administration’s student loan schemes, which have already benefited over 260,000 students, and acknowledged the renovation of the Third Mainland Bridge and the clearing of the passport backlog.
“We want to thank you for the futuristic ideas,” Olawande said.
A member of the committee, Samson Itodo, welcomed Tinubu’s commitment to youth inclusion, describing the upcoming conference as a significant step in involving young Nigerians in national development.
Itodo outlined key focus areas for the conference, including political governance, economic transformation, skills for the future such as Artificial Intelligence, climate change and energy transition, and social cohesion and security.
The conference framework will include virtual consultations, calls for memoranda, regional town hall meetings, and a summit in Abuja to gather insights from various stakeholders.
