The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has asked South-East governors to account for the N11 billion allocated to the states in the region by the federal government for youth empowerment and community development programmes.
The coalition made the demand in a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, on Thursday and obtained by SaharaReporters.
The coalition in the statement criticised the governors for their lack of action with the N11 billion, accusing them of indirectly endorsing the ongoing nationwide protest against hunger, hardship and bad governance tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, through their inaction.
COSEYL therefore called on the governors to adopt people-focused programs in their governance, stressing that it is crucial for governors to ensure empowerment of their youths.
This comes over two months after the Federal Government in May announced the approval of N110 billion to revitalise the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), for the 2024 fiscal year to serve as a cornerstone for youth empowerment.
The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, had announced the approval during the closing ceremony of the Ministry’s Management Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables with the theme: “Achieving the Eight Presidential Priorities and Deliverables” in Abuja.
The minister had said the fund was not just a financial reservoir but a catalyst for youth entrepreneurship and innovation aimed at bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity.
She had said the Bank of Industry would be investing N2.5 billion and their private sector partners have committed to the balance of the N2.5 billion investment, and the bank will be private-sector managed.
“The rehabilitation and transformation of Youth Development Centres across the country are set to commence immediately.
“These centres will be transformed into hubs of technical, digital, and creative skills training; bastions of social, political, and cultural engagement, amongst our youths; and sanctuaries for mental health and combating the scourges of substance abuse and social decay.
“By investing in these centres, we are investing in safe spaces that foster the holistic development of the Nigerian youth,” she had stated.
