By Maryam Aminu
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has announced that the portal for the restructured N110 billion Youth Investment Fund will be accessible in the coming days.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit from the Middle Belt Youth Council to her office in Abuja.
Dr. Ibrahim highlighted that the fund is designed to provide critical support to young entrepreneurs facing financial difficulties, offering them financial assistance, mentorship, and resources to help their businesses thrive.
“We are working very hard so that the portal can be opened to allow young people to register to access the fund. When the portal is opened, we will continue to inform and guide young people on how to access the N110 billion committed by the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” said Dr. Ibrahim.
She further explained that the fund would prioritize existing businesses.
“We understand that they are already established and have their clients. What they need is a little push to avoid sinking due to the current state of the economy,” she added.
The Minister outlined several milestones achieved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration within the past year. These include the approval of a 30% youth quota for government appointments, the implementation of the Presidential Initiatives on Youth Enterprise Clusters, the establishment of a ₦70,000 minimum wage for civil servants, the introduction of CNG buses for citizen transport, and the direct purchase and distribution of food items to vulnerable families.
Additionally, plans to resume local fuel production and the rehabilitation and commissioning of the Abuja Metro Stations were also mentioned.
She reiterated that the government is committed to providing free services by the end of 2024, as directed by the President.
The Minister also emphasized the significance of the recently passed North Central Development Commission bill, indicating President Tinubu’s support for the region.
In his remarks, Hon. Emmanuel Zopmal, President of the Middle Belt Youth Council, stated that the visit aimed to engage with the Federal Government on youth-related policies and discuss how they can contribute to governance.
He also expressed the Middle Belt youths’ opposition to the planned protest against the government, stressing the importance of understanding government initiatives through constructive engagement.
Africa Security Investigation News 