Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to youth empowerment as the foundation of Nigeria’s development strategy and Africa’s broader integration goals.
He called for a unified effort to bridge generational divides in Nigeria, emphasising the pivotal role the youths play in shaping Nigeria and the continent’s future.
He said this during the 2024 Youth Legacy Conference at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
Vice President Shettima noted that the youths are the fulcrum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda with their prominent role in driving national progress.
VP Shettima who was represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President , Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said, There is no nation that can prosper without investing in its youth, insisting They are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are also the anchors of today.
The event’s theme, “Shaping Africa’s Future with AfCFTA and Agenda 2063,” highlighted the alignment between Nigeria’s youth-focused initiatives and Africa’s development blueprints.
Senator Shettima noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 present vast opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the Ubuntu Trade App, a digital innovation designed to bolster Africa’s trade integration and market access for young entrepreneurs.
Describing it as “a testament to the genius of our young minds,” Shettima lauded the app as a critical step in advancing Africa’s digital transformation.
In his goodwill message, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, urged the association to build a network of a free trade area as a way of ideas and human connections between all the people of the African continent.
Mills, represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America, David J. Greene, commended Vice President Shettima for his tremendous support towards the successful hosting of the event.
He said the fellowship provides leadership training, and networking opportunities for young Africans working to fast-track economic growth and prosperity to strengthen democratic institutions and to enhance peace security in communities, particularly Nigeria and across Africa.
