TheCable

The ministry of youth development in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) has launched an initiative to empower 1 million Nigerian youths.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the initiative was launched at the recent COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The project, scheduled to start in January 2024, will focus on programs in agroforestry, land restoration, food cropping, and sustainable practices.

The statement said the first phase will target the “restoration of 10,000 hectares of land in Niger, in alignment with the proposed reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by the federal government”.

“In collaboration with key stakeholders, including the ministry of works, ministry of environment, ministry of agriculture, ministry of power, ministry of trade and industry, AUDA NEPAD Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The world bank’s ACRESAL Project, and the government of Niger state, this initiative aims to create employment opportunities, enhance food security, restore degraded lands, and promote environmental sustainability.

“The government of Niger state has generously allocated land to kick-start the program, demonstrating its commitment to the state’s Green Economy Blueprint, launched at COP28.”

Jamila Ibrahim, minister of youth development, said the initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to sustainable development.

“This strategic partnership forged at COP28 symbolizes our commitment to sustainable development, youth empowerment, and environmental stewardship,” she said.

“We are poised to unlock the immense potential of our youth, contributing to job creation, income generation, and economic growth.”