The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to strengthen bilateral relations with the Republic of South Africa in the area of youth development.
Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare said this Monday in his office in Abuja when South Africa’s Minister for Women, Youth and Disability, Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, told him paid a courtesy call.
He said arrangements have been made for the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries to harness the ingenuity and greatness of the youth of both countries.
He said: “We have the most resourceful youth population in both countries, which has become a great asset. Governments on both sides must have the political will to engage, to invest in their skills, to create access to credit and finance that will unlock their potential ”.
The minister said that in realizing the potential of Nigerian youth as an asset for the sustainable economic growth and development of the country, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has, through the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Youth and from Nigeria Sports Development, approved last year, N75 billion from Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to provide young entrepreneurs with access to loans at minimal interest rates to establish and improve their businesses .
“This means that the Republic of South Africa is now at this stage of investing in youth,” said Dare.
He explained that the signing of the MoU by the two countries will not only establish a model for other African countries to follow and adopt, but that the partnership will further strengthen the two countries in the sectors of mineral resources, ‘environment, forests and woodlands as well as waste management value chain, adding that the cooperation will help them to tackle the unrest of their youth to improve the cross-fertilization of ideas and opportunities as well as reduce friction between them.
The Minister who underlined the areas of cooperation on which to include youth exchange programs; notable national, international and historical events; initiatives of the National Youth Service; sharing best practices on national youth legislation, policies, frameworks and guidelines, among others, noted that the agreement will provide support to young people with disabilities in both countries.
Others, he said, will also feature in the exchange of information on technologies, research, development programs and experts, as well as in the exchange of information and communication technologies. communication (ICT) and special education.
The visit of the South African Minister for Women, Youth and Disabilities, said Dare, was a precursor to the smooth signing of the MoU in Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and his South African counterpart. , President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
