Ministry of Youth Devt Signs MoU with Plan International to Drive Youth Empowerment, Leadership Devt

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, along with senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Plan International Nigeria. 

The agreement focuses on collaboration in youth empowerment, skills and leadership development, and promoting gender equality and inclusion.

This was stated in a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development on Thursday.

The agreement with Plan International signals a significant milestone towards achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda focused on education and health as essential pillars of youth development. 

Mr. Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International, while delivering his remarks, applauded the commitment of the Hon. Minister of State for Youth Development, thanking him for initiating the process that culminated in the MOU.

“In a show of commitment, the Minister of State for Youth Development drove to our office to kick-start a conversation on potential areas of collaboration between our organisation and the Ministry.  Today, we are happy to be here to witness the progress of that engagement,” Mr. Charles said.

The Country Director equally observed that the partnership with the Youth Ministry is essential in driving specific interventions that would advance the wellbeing of Nigerian youth.

The Ministry’s Director of Enterprise Development and Promotion, Prince Idris Olugbenga Momoh, who stood in for the Permanent Secretary,  Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, said the Ministry counts on collaborations with reputable organizations such as Plan International to make significant impacts in the lives of Nigerian youth. He, therefore, expressed the appreciation of the Ministry for the partnership. 

On his part, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande expressed the optimism that the partnership with Plan International would help to expand the work both parties are already doing in the areas of youth capacity development and empowerment. 

Recalling the process that culminated in the partnership, the Minister said, “When I visited the office of Plan International with my team on the 26th June, 2024, it was because I believe we share a similar objective with the organisation, and that our vision for the growth and development of Nigerian youth remains the same.”

Speaking further, the Minister identified youth empowerment; leadership development; education; skill development; youth health and wellbeing, including sexual and reproductive health; protection from violence, exploitation and abuse; and the promotion of gender equality and inclusion as focused areas for the partnership. 

While emphasizing that the collaboration with Plan International would also enhance the work of the Ministry in fostering and promoting the  rights of girl child and young women; Comrade Olawande used the opportunity to announce his decision to honour the winner of this year’s IDG Essay Competition to serve as Minister of State for Youth Development for one day in commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.