The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has inaugurated a National Youth Data Bank Committee to generate an up-to-date information about the country’s youth for policy formulation, implementation as well as enhance their chances of being gainfully employed.
Dare, while inaugurating the Committee in his Office in Abuja on Monday, October 24, 2022 called on them to liaise with federal constituencies and senatorial districts with a view to producing a one-stop shop youth databank for the country.
According to him, “A Databank generated through Federal Constituencies and Senatorial Districts would curb challenges, such as corrupt practices mostly associated with youth engagement in various Social Investment Programmes of the Government.”
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Dare said the Databank when completed, should indicate the skills, ability and disability status of the youth as well as other considerations required for policy formulation and implementation.
Speaking further, the Minister stated that the absence of a National Youth Data Bank limits funding, programme implementation, practicability and youth inclusiveness, which is one of the mandates of the ministry.
He informed that the National Assembly had earlier requested the ministry to synergise with the Ministry of Labour and Employment with a view to generating a Data Bank for Nigerian youth, which will assist government in its laudable initiatives for their socio-economic development
Responding, a member of the Committee and an Assistant Director (Youth) Network Social Mobilisation (NSM) Department of the Ministry, Mr. Oyekan Adedoyin, assured that they will bring in their wealth of experience to bear in carrying out the task.
He thanked the present administration as well as top management staff of the Ministry for giving them the opportunity to serve the country in this capacity, pledging that members will work assiduously towards the realisation of their mandate.
The newly inaugurated 12-member committee comprising the Ministry’s Staff and other relevant Government bodies include Agun Ebiho (Chairman), Adeagbo Isaac (Secretary), Oyekan Adedoyin, Joy Ekut, Fashakin Olawale, Ajibaye Shakiru, Ibrahim Jehu, Bologo Michael, Olawande Braimoh, Charles Musa, Gloria Nwachukwu Akpan Ima-Ima Okon as members.