TheCable

The federal ministry of youth and sports development has expressed willingness to partner with civil society organisations (CSOs) to improve the lives of youths.

Ismaila Abubakar, permanent secretary of the ministry, said this when he received the Being Young in Naija (BYIN) campaign team, a youth advocacy initiative of Oxford Committee for Famine Relief’s (OXFAM) Work in Progress (WiP) alliance, during a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The BYIN project, which was launched in 2020 by OXFAM and implemented by Chioma Chuka Consulting Services Limited (CCCSL), canvases for the full implementation of the 2019-2023 national youth policy (NYP). 

Abubakar who was represented by Bature Lami, assistant director of networking and social mobilisation of the ministry, said a partnership database will be created for youth-focused organisations.

She said recognising critical points of potential strategic partnerships in order to work and enhance the well-being of young Nigerians is a top priority for the ministry.

“Write a letter to the ministry and be specific on how you want the ministry to come in,” Lami said.

In his remarks, Peter Akinnusi, senior programmes officer at CCCSL, told the ministry that the BYIN project was formed out of concern over the implementation of the national youth policy.

He said part of the BYIN project’s activities include youth engagement in various spheres and public enlightenment of the NYP’s key policy issues.

Akinnusi noted potential areas of collaboration with the ministry to include assisting to publicise its work, providing youth-related information where needed, and reaching as many young people on available opportunities.

On his part, Princewill Ogbodo, project coordinator, work in progress & SME development programme, Oxfam Nigeria, said the Being Young in Naija campaign seeks to address Nigerians’ challenges and facilitate active steps to assist the ministry in realising its goals.