By Egena Sunday Ode
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to youth empowerment as the foundation of Nigeria’s development strategy and Africa’s broader integration goals.
He, therefore, called for a unified effort to bridge generational divides in Nigeria, emphasising the pivotal role the youths play in shaping Nigeria and the continent’s future.
Speaking on Thursday during the 2024 Youth Legacy Conference at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima noted that the youths are the fulcrum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda with their prominent role in driving national progress.
This was disclosed by the media aide to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha on Thursday.
Shettima who was represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said, “There is no nation that can prosper without investing in its youth. They are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are also the anchors of today.
“President Tinubu is deeply committed to ensuring that the youth not only have a voice but are active participants in shaping our collective destiny.”
The event’s theme, “Shaping Africa’s Future with AfCFTA and Agenda 2063,” highlighted the alignment between Nigeria’s youth-focused initiatives and Africa’s development blueprints.
Senator Shettima noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 present vast opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
“AfCFTA is not just about trade; it is about creating opportunities for our youth to connect, innovate, and lead Africa into a new era of prosperity. Agenda 2063 envisions an integrated and prosperous Africa, but it is the energy, creativity, and resilience of our youth that will transform this vision into reality,” he said.
The Vice President commended initiatives like the Mandela Washington Fellows for their exemplary leadership and service, adding: “You have shown us what is possible when the youth are given the tools to succeed. Your work in education, healthcare, and social justice serves as an inspiration for generations to come.”
“The structural quality of a health system is heavily influenced by its healthcare infrastructure. As we carried out oversight functions to healthcare institutions across the country since the inauguration of this committee, what are undeniably evident are infrastructural deficiencies of health services, lack of equipment resulting largely from inadequate funding of health institutions by the government, and a total lack of maintenance culture for equipment provided”.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health said health sector research including that of the Cardiology is already taking place in many fronts in Nigeria, while establishing the Institute will be an additional financial burden on Government, adding that government is cutting down on the cost of governance by pruning down agencies of Government.
Represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salahudeen, the Minister said the Ministry remains enthusiastic and supportive of every effort geared towards ensuring growth and progress in the health sector.
He said while the Ministry appreciate the effort of the House of the Representative in deepening healthcare services including training and research in the country, cardiovascular research is not in alert level than any other non-communicable diseases to warrant a compelling need for the establishment of National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Research and Treatment Centre, in Kano.
He said “all the Federal Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres in Nigeria including those In North West geo political zones already have the mandate of Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases, Research and Training of Health care professional including medical doctors who are specialist in the management of cardiovascular diseases and other related cases.
“The Federal Teaching Hospitals In Northwest geo-political zones include: Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital Kano State, Anmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria Kaduna State, Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital Sokoto and Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina state, Federal Medical Center (FMC) Azare Bauchi State, FMC Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State, FMC Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State, FMC Gusau in Zamfara State. “
