Akure Youth Media (AYM) has commended the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, for his continued advocacy for practical and sustainable opportunities for young Nigerians, following his participation in the Taraba State Youth Empowerment Programme in Jalingo.

The Minister joined the Government and young people of Taraba State for the unveiling of the Taraba State Youth Development Roadmap 2026–2031 and the Long-Term Youth Agenda 2050, initiatives designed to provide a structured framework for youth development and empowerment across the state.

AYM particularly applauds the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for backing his commitment to youth development with concrete interventions, including a ₦500 million soft grant for young people. The organisation described the initiative as an important demonstration of how deliberate state-level investment can create practical opportunities for young Nigerians.

The Minister also commended the Executive Chairman, Hon. Prince Gara Soyongha Nongha, and the management of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency for their efforts in translating the Governor’s youth development vision into actionable programmes.

During the event, Comrade Olawande was honoured by the Future-Ready Youth Initiative, founded by Deborah John, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, in recognition of his contributions to youth development. The Minister also unveiled the initiative’s book, Future Ready, for which he contributed the foreword.

According to AYM, the developments in Taraba demonstrate the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by Nigeria’s growing youth population. The organisation noted that the state-level intervention complements the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s efforts through programmes such as NiYA StartUp, which supports young Nigerians in building businesses, creating jobs, and developing solutions to societal challenges.

AYM believes that sustainable youth development requires a collective approach involving government at all levels, the private sector, development partners, and other stakeholders. The organisation therefore welcomed the Minister’s call for more states to make deliberate investments in young people, noting that stronger collaboration can expand access to skills, finance, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities nationwide.

As part of his engagement in Jalingo, the Minister also visited the NYSC Orientation Camp, where he interacted with corps members undergoing the mandatory three-week orientation programme. He encouraged the corps members to view their service year beyond a statutory obligation, urging them to embrace it as an opportunity for service, personal development, leadership, and preparation for life after the NYSC.

AYM commends Comrade Ayodele Olawande for consistently promoting a youth development agenda that combines immediate opportunities with long-term preparation for the future. The organisation also applauds the Taraba State Government for placing youth empowerment at the centre of its development agenda.

Akure Youth Media remains convinced that with sustained investment, collaboration, and purposeful leadership, Nigeria’s youthful population can be transformed from a demographic challenge into one of the country's greatest assets for innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and national development.