The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday expressed confidence in the ability of African youths to drive the continent’s social and economic development.
He said they were not deterred by the failures of the past on the continent.
He said the energy and talent of the youth remained a source of optimism.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo spoke at the G7 Summit special outreach forum on Africa with selected African nations and leaders including Nigeria, Guinea, Tunisia, Niger, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Osinbajo also met with President Donald Trump of the United States of America and other world leaders.
The event was held in Italy.
“We are investing more in education, insisting on good governance and holding ourselves to account but the greatest reason for our optimism is in the incredible energy, talent and creativity of our young people, male and female.
“They are completely undeterred by the failures of the past and are daily taking advantage of innovation and technology bringing about the Africa of our dreams.”
While assuring the G7 countries of Africa’s increasing collaboration in trade, counter-terrorism and strengthening democracy, Osinbajo commended the seven most industrialised nations of the world for their support in the fight against terrorism.
He singled out the United States, France and the United Kingdom as effective partners in the Lake Chad basin, citing the successes of “our joint intelligent unit which has provided useful and timely intelligence in the war against terrorism.”
On the progress made so far in the country, Osinbajo said there had been massive increase in rice yield over the past two years and distribution of fertiliser subsidies to farmers.
He said the N-Power programme which had started engaging some 500,000 young unemployed graduates instalmentally as teachers, agricultural extension workers and public health professionals “is a breakthrough in mass post-tertiary education.”
According to him, the participants were recruited online in all states in the nation mostly using mobile phones, adding that participants will soon receive their mobile devices and can access an N-Power portal that contains required training materials for acquisition of more skills to carry out their duties.
On the entourage of the Acting President were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Yemi Dipeolu; and the Nigeria Charge d’ Affairs in Italy, Bisi Meshioye.
The Acting President has since returned to Nigeria.
(Punch)
