By Charly Agwam – Bauchi
The Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) has decried the lack of funding for developmental programmes for youths in the country, while also advocating for more budgetary allocation to the Federal Ministry of Youth to fund more youth development initiatives.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Azeezat Yishawu, made this known in a press release after meeting with the Minister of Youths Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim, along with other members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.
She pointed out that funding for youth programmes is no longer forthcoming especially at this time that the Ministry of Youths has been separated from Sports.
Yishawu stressed the importance of adequate budget allocation and funding to the Ministry of Youth for proper implementation of projects and programmes.
She said that youth development programmes like the Nigerian Youth Parliament that is nurturing future leaders is starved of funds.
“I led this delegation, to the Ministry to assure her that the Nigerian Youth are behind her and ready to provide all the necessary support to help her succeed. The responsibility of her office is huge and we are aware that she is responsible for about half of the population of the country,” Yishawu said.
She further presented a comprehensive report on the research the parliament had carried out on twenty states across the country which she said will be helpful in policy formulation and programme implementation that will impact positively on Youths.
Responding, the Minister lauded the Speaker for her stewardship to the parliament while assuring that she would look into the challenges of the parliament and provide all necessary support.
Ibrahim promised to study the report on the National Youth Security Summit, noting that she is very passionate about women and youth.