The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Youth Development Secretariat, Comrade Abdullahi Ango, has promised to develop policies promoting sustainable youth entrepreneurship development and innovation in the FCT.
Ango said this aligns with the renewed hope agenda of the federal government and the FCT administration's efforts at prioritising youth development and empowerment in the FCT.
The mandate secretary made this known on Monday in commemoration of International Youth Day (IYD) 2024, with the theme, "From Clicks to Progress, Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development."
While congratulating the youths of the FCT, he stated that this year's theme resonates deeply with the secretariat's mission of empowering, educating, and engaging the youth in meaningful ways that will promote sustainable development and social justice.
"I want to use this medium to express my appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and honourable minister of FCT Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for counting me worthy of being appointed as the pioneer mandate secretary, FCT Youth Development Secretariat.
"As we observe this day, we are reminded of the immense potential in our youth and the urgent need to harness them for national growth and development. This year's theme emphasises the role of digital technology in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals No.9 (SDGs).
"According to the United Nations International Youth Day summary document, the rapid digital transformation taking place globally was recognised by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) as one of the six transitions that have catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs.
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"In the 2021 report Our Common Agenda, the UN Secretary-General emphasised the need to support individuals to navigate technological transitions, alongside demographic and climate changes," he said.
Ango further said that the United Nations emphasised that youth, as digital generations and visionaries, are at the forefront of adopting new technologies and form the largest demographic of users and developers that shape digital trends globally, which makes them the driving force behind digitalisation and innovation.
He stated that digitalisation is transforming their world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development and that digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision making. With a profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions, digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70% of the 169 SDG targets.
"As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is essential for addressing global issues. As you are already aware, before and whilst the protest lasted, the FCT made numerous efforts to mitigate youth restiveness.
"One such effort is the creation of a Youth Development Secretariat to address the aspirations of FCT youth, and fortunately for us, as the chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) FCT Chapter was appointed as the pioneer mandate secretary, FCT Youth Development Secretariat," he said.
