Vice President Kashim Shettima has described young Nigerians as the “pillars of today” and pledged unwavering support for their entrepreneurial dreams.
Addressing the 5th Annual Under 30 CEOs Awards and Gala Night in Abuja on the theme “A Flower for the Nigerian Youth” VP Shettima who was represented by Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change at the Office of The Vice President, Rukaiya El-Rufai emphasised the crucial role young people play in shaping the nation’s future.
“We believe that none of you belongs to tomorrow, for we are a young nation by our demography, by our history, and by our pursuits,” he declared, acknowledging his own inclusion among the “young” while affirming their rightful place at the decision-making table.
Highlighting Nigeria’s median age of 19, the Vice President framed it as a “demographic dividend” ripe for investment.
“You are our inspiration to focus on cultivating a robust human capital,” he said, envisioning a future where young Nigerians ascend to corporate heights, build billion-dollar empires, and inspire generations of entrepreneurs.
Recognizing the challenges of managing a nation’s aspirations, Shettima emphasized the need for an enabling environment.
“This is a phase in the life of this nation where the drive for change must meet our commitment to creating an enabling environment,” he stated, vowing to make young people “ambassadors in a world coming to terms with the inevitability of the Nigerian as a pathfinder, a pace-setter, a trend-setter, and a champion.”
He further pledged collaboration, saying “we are going to work with you because strategic governance isn’t just an interplay of diverse perspectives and synergy; it’s an investment in succession planning.”
This collaboration, he explained, would bridge the gap between generations and sectors, fostering an exchange of ideas and ensuring the best minds contribute to the nation’s progress.
Shettima aligned the aspirations of young Nigerians with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he described as seeing “young Nigerians as harbingers of progress, the drivers of whatever reform we have set in place.” This vision, he elaborated, would be realized by creating an ecosystem that spawns “more Aliko Dangotes among you.”
Acknowledging the economic challenges, he countered with optimism and action.
“Our vehicle to where we are headed isn’t just optimism,” he declared. “We are driven by our collective strategic thinking and commitment to putting it into practice.”
The Vice President pointed to the resilience of Nigeria’s business landscape, boasting 23 billion-dollar enterprises even amidst the pandemic. “Today, we take a step forward one more time to declare that we are here for business, literally,” he asserted.
Reassuring the young entrepreneurs of the government’s support, Shettima promised, “We will be here to give you your flowers, we will always celebrate your ascent up the ladder, and I want you to see this government as your partner, as your ally.”
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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