The Minister of Youth Development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has addressed key issues affecting Nigerian youths, focusing on youth empowerment, the implementation of the increased NYSC allowance, and strategies for fostering national unity.
Speaking during the latest edition of the Mic on Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, the Minister emphasized his commitment to hard work and resilience, rejecting claims of external influence in his political career. He says “Nobody can stand up and attest to saying they did this and that for me. I have no mentors and no political godfathers. I put in very big hard work to get to where I am.”
Comrade Olawande also highlighted the need for leadership training among young Nigerians, stating, “The majority of our youths are not in line with leadership training. Until you have the insights of leadership, that’s when you know you are committed to people first.”
On the delay in implementing the payment of an increase in NYSC allowances, the Minister assured corps members that payments would soon commence and that postings would align with their fields of study, explaining that, “It is possible that by the end of this month (January 2025), NYSC corps members will start receiving the N77,000 monthly allowance. No corps member should be posted to where is not their area of study. It will never happen again.”
Meanwhile, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating opportunities for all young Nigerians and called for collective efforts to rebuild the nation. “A lot of initiatives to support youth are currently on track. I am pleading with everybody to put their hands on the deck and let’s change this country for the better.”
Reiterating the need to protect youths the minister said “The only way we can make sure that we end Yahoo-yahoo is to protect the young people. A lot of them feel not protected. I want us to see that this country belongs to us.
” While urging youths to shun fraudulent activities, Comrade Olawande stressed the importance of unity among Nigerian youths as a driver of national progress