The Federal Government has earmarked N75 billion Youths Fund for development projects for the youths in the next three years.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Kaduna State on Saturday.
Ahmed was in Kaduna along with the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive for all cabinet members to return to their home States and engage their government and stakeholders, including the youth, over the recent EndSARS protests and violence that rocked the nation.
The Finance minister stated that the sum of N25 billion would be used each year to support the youths in actualising their creative and entrepreneurial ideas.
According to her, “We came to meet with the Government of Kaduna State to discuss the issue of protests that have been happening in our country, specifically, the #EndSARS protests.
“The State has prepared an excellent report and rendered to us on all the plans and efforts they have undertaken and we have also come to understand the challenges that they have and how best to support them.
“We are here in response to the directive Mr. President gave to all Ministers to go back home and engage the major stakeholders within the states to see how best we can support the states in trying to address the security issues that we have at this time. So, it was a wonderful meeting and it was very productive.
“What we are doing at the Federal level is that we have set aside N25bn Youths Fund. It is actually an N75bn fund for three years. So, we are starting with N25bn for 2021. The fund is meant to support the youths to actualise creative and entrepreneurial ideal that we have, so that, they can be more productive, be their own bosses and employ other youths.”
Speaking on his Ministry’s programmes for the Youths, the Environment Minister, Dr. Abubakar said, his ministry has established recycling plants across the states, which are already employing the youths.
According to him, “the Ministry of Environment as one of the ministries involved in the 774,000 jobs, has built various recycling plants in the states that are engaging the youths in terms of employment and also giving them the opportunity to recycle products especially plastic wastes.
“We have just gotten approval on our new policy on plastic waste management in the country. It was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday.”
“Also, the Ministry of Environment is working on several initiatives that will create employment opportunities and create wealth for the youths,” he added.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe expressed appreciation to the people of Kaduna State, especially the youths, for remaining peaceful despite the widespread protests across the country.
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