By Saheed Afolabi
The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to the development of youth, especially in the area of skills acquisition and digital training with a view to continually empowering them to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
Dare gave the assurance weekend, shortly after the 4th Specialised Technical Meeting on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS-4) held at the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Minister stated that the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration to youth development in the country has again resulted to Nigeria’s elevation at the African Union Summit.
“Experts from African Union Member States deliberated on the progress made on implementation of the STC-YCS-3 ealier held in Algiers, Algeria in October 2018, the theme of the event, as well as on specific issues pertaining to the three (3) sectors,” he said.
The Minister added that “after due consultation amongst Members States of the region present, Nigeria was elected as the representative of the Western Region to serve as the 1st Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau STC-YCS 4.”
Dare who was represented at the Summit by his Special Assistant on ICT, Ann Kemi Areola stated further that “in discharging her first duty as the 1st Vice Chairperson of the Bureau, Nigeria successfully chaired the culture parallel session at the Summit”.
According to him, the 4th Specialized Technical Meetings on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS-4) was themed: “AU at 60: Unlocking and Scaling Innovation for AfCFTA Implementation through Youth, Culture and Sports.”
He explained that the Experts Meeting for the STC-YCS-4 parallel sessions were held along the Youth, Culture and Sports thematic areas, adding that the Experts also deliberated and drafted the final reports on recommendations that were presented to African Union Ministers at the Ministerial meeting, which was held on Friday, 26th May 2023 at the AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa.
Dare who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his doggedness in ensuring youth empowerment in the country also called on the teeming youth to continue to support policies and programmes of the Federal Government, especially of the incoming administration even as the present administration winds off.
