Nigeria’s downturn economy, not licence for youths to go into crimes, Minister warns

BY ANDREW OROLUA

Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, has warned youths in the country against using the downturn in the economy as a licence to go into crimes.

The Minister explained that economic downturn is a global phenomenon and not peculiar to Nigeria alone, hence, should not be used as justification for any form of criminality.

She issued the warning in Abuja on Thursday at a Retreat and Leadership Training Course for principal officers of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.

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The Minister whose speech was delivered by the Chief Youth Development Officer of the Federal Minister of Youth Development, Mr Isaac Adeyinka Adeagbo, appealed to youths to be more focused in the face of the challenging economy.

Specifically, the Minister counselled the youths to use the challenge posed by the economy to prepare themselves to be socially and economically responsible.

While thanking the Peace Corps of Nigeria for organizing the retreat, the Minister assured that her Ministry would always partner with any youth development organization in the country in the task of building an egalitarian nation.

She appealed to the generality of Nigerians to embrace and preach peace adding that no meaningful development can take place without peace and security.

“As for all well-meaning Nigerians, all hands must be on deck to achieve the new hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so as to take Nigeria back to the right path”, the Minister pleaded.

Also speaking at the occasion, the National Commandant of the Corps, Dr Dickson Ameh Akoh appealed to the federal government to create opportunities for youths to grow and contribute to the general development of the country.

He pleaded with the President Tinubu to be prepared to give assent to the Nigeria Peace Corps Establishment Bill when passed by the National Assembly adding that it would serve as the greatest presidential gift to youths in Nigeria.

In his own speech, the District Head of Gwarinpa, Alhaji Umaru Bayero called for speedy passage of the Nigeria Peace Corps Bill by the National Assembly and transmission of same to the President for the endorsement to make PCN a statutory body.