From Aidoghie Paulinus, New York
The Federal Government has called on African leaders to create wealth and industrialise their countries to empower youths of the continent.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the appeal on the sideline of an event on Harnessing Demographic Dividends for Economic Growth convened by President of the Republic of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Alpha Conde at the ongoing 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Wealth creation and industrialisation would reduce irregular migration by African youths who besiege western countries daily in search of greener pasture. Onyeama noted that the retardation and redundancy amongst African youths was a governance issue that arose out of the inability of African leaders to create sustainable wealth, industrialisation and transform their countries.
The minister said: “And that is why of course, you have irregular migration because the youths in most African countries just don’t have those prospects.
“So, it is a governance issue, it is a challenge for African governments to industrialize our countries and to create wealth,” he said. On youths involvement in governance, Onyeama noted that there were already plans to create opportunities for their participation.
“You know that they are also trying to bring the age down for a number of things: representation in the National Assembly. So, those are steps to further empower youths and make governance accessible to the youths.
“But also, I think a lot has to do with the building blocks for youth empowerment. And number one is really education. The youths need to have access to good education and capacity building to make them ready for those kind of jobs.
“And the second challenge is really job creation. And I think the point was made. It is not job for job’s sake, but sustainable jobs that are available for youths to grow and when you have that, education and good jobs, the youths are empowered and they are able to do everything. Of course, opening up the political space is very important and that is what we are trying to do,”