Laraba MUREY
As part of efforts to combat poverty and promote youth development, the Federal Government has entered into partnership with the Government of Netherlands to address youth migration and alleviate economic hardships.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Wouter Plomp, on Thursday, in Abuja.
Edu emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration agenda, places eradicating poverty and prioritizing the youth at its core.
She stressed the need to harness the potentials of young minds, provide employment opportunities, and prevent the loss of Nigerian lives in the Mediterranean Sea.
“It’s unfortunate that we have Nigerians, young people, who should be contributing to the development of the nation, go to lose their lives in the Mediterranean Sea or go to very awkward conditions outside the country.
“I believe very strongly that the Rabat Process Meeting was an avenue to bring all of this to the forefront. The meeting which will be co-hosted with Netherlands would also be another opportunity to really look into youth and their developmental capacity,” she said.
Edu also noted that Nigeria will collaborate with Europe and Netherlands to proffer solutions for Nigerians and improve the lives of young people and opportunities to be accessed.
The minister also called for technical assistance and contributions from the Netherlands and Europe in the quest to alleviate poverty in the country, adding that the Presidential Humanitarian Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund, seeks to provide employment for young people and address humanitarian crises.
“We would use this opportunity to also inform you about one of the new innovations that will get on board to address humanitarian issues.
“which is Presidential Humanitarian Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund and we’ll be needing your assistance technically, and your contributions as a nation to that fund to really help address humanitarian crisis in Nigeria as well as this issues which we will be discussing at this event. So we are counting on your continuous support,” she said.
Also speaking, Netherlands Ambassador, Mr. Wouter Plomp, applauded Nigeria’s youthful innovation and creativity.
“I’m very happy that we are doing this together. Netherlands and Nigeria because actually in this organisation we have both the new kids on the block.
“I have come to appreciate enormously the creativity, innovation, the drive and the commitment of Nigerian young women and young men doing what you’re best at, and that is often enterprise private sector in producing things, innovation.
“The Netherlands is actively supporting skill-training projects in areas such as IT, tailoring, and leatherwork. The Ambassador also mentioned exploring legal pathways and circular migration as solutions,” he said.
