Group lauds FG over N75bn investment fund for youth-driven enterprise
Abuja, July 24, The Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) has commended the Federal Government for approving the N75 billion Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to fund and support innovative ideas, skills, talents and enterprise of the Nigerian Youth.
Mr Blessing Akinlosotu, the president of NYC gave the commendation while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
”The fund is the very first of its kind by any Nigerian government. The fund will go a long way to curb all forms of crimes engaged by youths.
“We appreciate this noble gesture of the Federal government, for acknowledging the challenges that have greatly affected the youths in the country which has resulted in a high rise in crimes, political thuggery, banditry, social vices, cyber-crimes among the youth’’.
He called on the youths to take advantage of the opportunity already at their doorsteps.
“Youths should be on the lookout and as well get equipped with innovative ideas and achievable business proposals and plans that will help them access the fund,’’ he advised.
NAN reports that on July 22, the federal government approved the establishment of a Nigerian youth investment fund for N75 billion.
Minister of youths and sports, Sunday Dare explained that the youth bank’ is created to support youth enterprise among Nigeria’s 68 million youth between ages of 18 and 35.
According to him, youth within this age group with genuine business ideas are to pitch their ideas in any of the 125 microcredit banks across the country and qualified candidates will have access to the funds. Dare assured that just as the N-power program, the process is digital and will be fair to all youth aged 18 to 35 regardless of their ethnicity or social status.
The fund, he said, is meant to create a special window for accessing credit facilities and financing on the part of our youths that will help to fund their ideas, innovations and also support their enterprise.
Edited By: Sadiya Hamza (NAN)