By Esther Onyegbula

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, weekend, announced that the ministry has developed new initiatives and restructured existing ones to meet the needs of our youths as a result of the grave threat that high unemployment rates pose to our nation.

Speaking at the 12th Youth Summit on crime prevention organised by African Youth Initiative in Lagos, Dr. Ibrahim said also that the new initiative was aimed at sustaining solutions that address long-term challenges.

According to Dr Ibrahim, who was represented by Ms Olufela Olaloye-Sosan, “One of our initiatives is the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), which promotes entrepreneurship and job creation. By supporting our youth through loans and providing training on building scalable and sustainable businesses, the NYIF serves as a cornerstone for youth empowerment. Furthermore, we have begun work on establishing the National Youth Development Bank (NEXTGEN BANK), a pioneering effort in partnership with the Bank of Industry. This bank provides financial solutions tailored specifically for young entrepreneurs, youth backed ventures and youth sector enterprises.”

He further explained that “The Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the National Youth Development Bank (NEXTGEN BANK) are transformative initiatives to reduce youth crime and foster safe, inclusive communities. By providing loans and training, NYIF empowers young people to start and grow businesses, tackling youth unemployment and the financial desperation that can lead to crime. By providing opportunities for entrepreneurship, these programs keep youth constructively engaged, preventing idleness and frustration that can lead to delinquency.”

Speaking at the event, Ambassador, Christogonus Ibe, Founder, African Youths Initiative

On crime prevention said the theme for this year’s summit, “Empowering Youth: Building Safe and Inclusive Communities,” reflects a vision of a society where young people are not only protected from crime but are also pivotal in creating environments where everyone can thrive. This vision is particularly significant in our context as we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.

“Education plays a crucial role in crime prevention. By providing young people with quality education and opportunities for personal development, we can steer them away from the path of crime. Education fosters critical thinking, empathy, and resilience, which are essential qualities for building a safe and inclusive society. The summit is exploring innovative educational approach and partnerships that can help achieve this goal, he added.

“In today’s digital age, social media and technology are powerful tools that can be harnessed for positive change. However, they also present new challenges in the form of cybercrime and online exploitation. During this summit, we will delve into the ways we can leverage technology to promote safety, prevent crime and create awareness while also safeguarding our youth from digital threats.”

Meanwhile the Commandant NSCDC Lagos State Command, Keshinro Adedotun Sunday has said that education is a powerful tool for preventing crime and promoting social mobility because, according to him, ensuring that all young people have access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background, is essential for building a more equitable and just society.

“Many young people feel excluded from mainstream society due to factors such as ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status. Efforts to promote social inclusion and address discrimination are vital for empowering all youth and fostering a sense of belonging and community cohesion.

“At the heart of all our efforts lies the need for ethical leadership. Ethical leaders set the tone for organizational behaviour and community interactions, emphasizing values such as integrity, accountability and respect,” he stated.