As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2024 International Youth Day (IYD), the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has hailed Nigerian youth and their contributions to the economy, assuring of enactment of legislations and policies that would enhance digital transformation and bridge digital divide.
IYD is observed on August 12 every year, to mark the contributions of the youth in the development of society alongside understanding the challenges faced by them. This year’s IYD has the theme: ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’.
The Deputy Speaker, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, acknowledged the important roles Nigerian youth play in achieving rapid economic growth and development.
He noted that the youth form the largest demography of users and developers shaping digital trends globally, hence remain an essential demographic group in leveraging the transformative power of technologies to address global challenges.
He said that this year’s theme is in line with the agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, to use legislative instruments to ensure that the youth in the country become a force in the digital market.
According to him, given the vast pool of young and talented people in the country, the 10th House understands that strengthening innovation and technology is pivotal for enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness, hence will among other initiatives, introduce a national innovation strategy to prioritise achievements in digital transformation and legislate to promote digital skills development programmes.
The Deputy Speaker further said that the parliament was aware of the state of the nation, recalling how the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas recently led the House to engage with leaders and representatives of various youth organisations at the National Assembly, aimed at listening to their complaints and demands, with a view to finding lasting solutions.
Kalu appealed to the youth to champion national unity and collective prosperity through utilisation of various youth initiatives, programmes and policies put together by the government, adding that President Bola Tinubu-led adminstration was working hard to address their plight.
