Youth Coalition mobilises supports for Presidential Tinubu’s government.

….Works with government, community based stakeholders to drive sustainable development nationwide.

L-R: Ambassador Alhassan Bintu; Ambassador Akanni Michael, National President, FICYO, and Comrade (Chief) Taiwo Olusegun at the Media Chat in Lagos.

A coalition of youths-based groups in the country have volunteered to monitor government projects, interventions, and budgetary provisions for communities nationwide to ensure that all regions and segments of society get equal attention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime.

Known as “The Federation of Indigenous and Community Youth Organization, FICYO, the body during a media chat in Lagos, also believed that by tracking and monitoring ongoing projects, and reporting back to the government, cases of abandonment and execution of shoddy jobs by contractors would be minimized.

“Youths are essentially indispensable stakeholders in the Nigeria Project and their aspirations from government and state institutions to drive their aspirations are high. The Federation of Indigenous and Community Youth Organisations (FICYO) I’d birthed as a pro-youth group with a vision to make nation-building a youth movement; and a mission to productively and creatively engage young persons in all Communities across Nigeria with civil initiatives and social activities that promote grassroot development, productive resourcefulness, optimal deployment of latent talents, and harmonious peaceful co-existence of cross-cultural dwellers”, said Ambassador Akanni Michael, National President, FICYO.

 In an address, Ambassador Michael noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded some significant strides in rebuilding the nation’s economy within 100 days of his administration, and would perform better if the masses become partners in his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He described their organization as an amalgamation of Indigenous youth organizations with a common interest in promoting good governance and unity in Nigeria said part of their strategies was to work with community-based associations nationwide in strengthening understanding between governments and the masses to foster sustainable development and eradicate poverty.

Michael further said that they would be partnering with both government and stakeholders across communities to drive development in line with the organization’s 10-point agenda which includes entrepreneurship, employment opportunities, education and skills development, and sustainable Agriculture and food security among others.

According to him, “It is a cohesive platform for community development initiatives established with a memorandum of understanding between indigenous community youth groups in Nigeria in 2023 to build strong collaboration with government at all levels towards equal distribution of community Development projects and interventions.

“Its goal is to foster sustainable development, eradicate poverty and integrate Nigeria youth into the global Map. The youth population in Nigeria is substantial, with over 60% of the population being under the age of 40. This demographic dividend presents both opportunities and challenges for the country’s economic development”.

While commending the policy direction of the federal government in establishing an Office of Community Engagement, Mr. Michael urged the presidency to go a step further by increasing the number of youths in key levels of decision-making.

“As the national body of all community youth Organisations across Nigeria, we have a huge responsibility to make sure the ordinary citizens, especially youths in remote hinterlands and rural communities get due attention from government. 

“We must admit that greater numbers of our youths still nurture a sense of disconnect with laudable government interventions for their emancipation. The prevailing disenchantment needs to be replaced with pragmatic inclusive approach to make vision and idea of Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu resonate with all Nigerians regardless of their status and location in the polity.

“Our fellow indigenous youths are no less Nigerians and they deserve direct government intervention in their personal and community development.

“No doubt, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded some significant strides in rebuilding the Nigerian economy in the last 100 days. He unified multiple foreign exchange markets and implemented intervention programmes to cushion the negative impacts of the reforms, which included a minimum wage and salary increase, support for vulnerable states and local governments, and plans to roll out over 11,000 CNC buses for affordable public transportation.

“Aside the government, FICYO will also be working with stakeholders across communities to drive development projects within the indigenous communities, critical to youth engagement. Presently, we gave a 10-point agenda on which our mission is built” submitted Ambassador Michael.

“Based on the directive of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as reported in National dailies after the National Executive Council Retreat, Nigerians are to engage Government in area of project tracking and monitoring. We the members of FICYO are assuring Nigerians that this present administration will not disappoint the citizens because FICYO will utilize this opportunity to engage community stakeholders from time to time.

The Government can not do it alone, every citizen of this great nation must be ready to partner with government to ensure our economy recovers and we Nigerians enjoy the dividend of democracy with the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration”, he added.

On his part, an official of the organization, Comrade (Chief) Taiwo Olusegun highlighted that members of the organization cut across all ethnic groups, religions, and states, as he urged all youths with a passion for a better Nigeria to come on board and contribute their quota in rebuilding the country.

Ambassador Alhassan Bintu of the women’s department of the organization noted that the female gender remained underrepresented in government, and pledged that they would follow up interventions for women to ensure they are implemented.

Ambassador Bintu also stressed the importance of prioritizing women in the disbursement of soft loans for businesses and protecting them from all forms of abuse.

After the media chat, the organization held an elaborate interactive forum with several community and youth-based associations on ways to strengthen the relationship between the masses and the government, for the sustainable development of the country.