By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Sept.13, 2024 (NAN) The Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors of Nigeria (CYAN), says it is set to honour some eminent personalities as recipients of its prestigious award in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CYAN is a Youth arm of the Commonwealth in Nigeria which aims to further advance the youth development agenda.
This it does by integrating young people into the development work of the Commonwealth at national, regional, and Pan-Commonwealth levels.
It also provides a sustainable platform for unified engagement with decision-makers and youth-led development initiatives.
The CYAN works to mobilise the voices of young people and advocate for governments to engage young people meaningfully.
George Marvel, Director, Programmes and Strategies, CYAN told newsmen on Friday, that the Conference/Awards ceremony was scheduled to hold on Sept. 20 at the FCT Pavilion, beside the International Conference Centre.
Marvel said that no fewer than 15 recipients were set to be awarded and inducted as Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors of Nigeria.
He said that the plan of action for hosting the Conference/Awards contained 10 strategic objectives.
He explained that the objectives were designed to engage governments, strategic partners, youths’ stakeholders and young people themselves on the transformational agenda of youth empowerment in Nigeria and other Commonwealth member countries.
“If you look at the issues of the Commonwealth in Nigeria, you will agree with me that there are lot of opportunities that are supposed to have been harnessed by the Nigerian youth via the Commonwealth.
“But perhaps because of lack of structural organisation, connecting and coming together according to the Commonwealth charter to be able to have a youth wing that will add value to Nigeria.
“Top amongst our agenda is to develop and implement measures to promote the economic enfranchisement of young people and their participation in the economy.
“Strengthen social support systems and collaboration between key stakeholders in youth empowerment.
“Develop and strengthen youth ministries/departments, national youth policies, and legislative and constitutional provisions impacting on youth affairs.
“Promote positive national role models and self-images for young people and foster their sense of responsibility and self-esteem,” he said.
He said that the CYAN also aims to promote the full participation of young people in decision-making at all levels, including at community, local, provincial and national levels.
He added that the CYAN would also identify and implement measures to broaden youth participation in sporting and cultural activities.
He said this was to ensure the promotion of positive values, healthy lifestyles and behaviour as well as the advancement of human development, amongst other objectives.
Erelu Florida Okunowo, the Coordinator, Abuja Chapter, Commonwealth Business Women-Africa, said CBW-Africa was partnering with CYAN to support and empower the youths to enable them contribute their quota in the development of the country.
“On behalf of our esteemed Madam Continental President, Mrs Ngozi Oyewole and our Country Head, Hajia Bala Muse as well as our members here present we declare our unwavering support for CYAN.
“We have decided to support in full the CYAN simply because we know the youth are the future of the nation as well as our continent.
“Unfortunately, the reality of the condition of the youth in the country is that their state of mind is in disarray and they are seemingly hopeless.
“But, we are here to give them hope and we also believe that we should focus on their mindset to ensure that their hope is rekindled,” she said.
Okunowo said that the CYAN Conference/Awards was a wonderful idea, adding that it was timely, apt and about time the youth take their rightful place as leaders of tomorrow.
She assured that CBW-Africa as mothers of the nation would do everything to support the activities of CYAN and ensure that the youths are on the right path.
Mrs Godiya Ezeagwula, the Executive Director, Daughters of Abraham Foundation, said the foundation also saw the need to partner with CYAN, especially because of its interest in the growth and development of the girl-child.
“At DOA Foundation, our focus are the female youths. We believe in the girl-child. We believe in teaching, educating and empowering them after taking them through couselling, mentorship, vocational skills and mental health trainings.
“Basically what we do is to give them a reason to believe in themselves and live. We reach out to girls who have lost hope and who have been victims of human trafficking, abuse, gender-base violence, and the likes.
“We looked at the CYAN and discovered that what we do at DOA Foundation was also in line with what they do as they want to ensure that the average youth fulfill their potential, dreams and aspirations.
“So, that’s why we felt the need as an organisation to partner with them. Even though we are solely on the empowerment of the girl-child because we believe that empowering a woman, means empowering a whole nation,” she said.
She added the the DOA Foundation would bemarking its 30th anniversary on Oct. 29 to celebrate three decades of meaningful impact in Nigeria and on the African continent.
Mrs Molara Babatunde-Soares, Founder, Molara Soares Life Charity Outreach and Cultural Mediator, Commissions for Refugees, Central Italy, ANCONA said she was so passionate about initiatives which had to do with youth empowerment, hence the reason why she is throwing her weight behind CYAN.
“I am partnering with CYAN and I think it is not by mistake that I am a nominee for this prestigious award.
“Having stayed abroad for 34 years, I came back and decided to give back to the society by setting up two skill acquisition centres in Osun state and Abuja for the youths in the country.
“My skill acquisition centre is dedicated to the youths, to empower them with skills of their choices, being mindful of their mental health through counselling, grounding exercises, and also simple exercises that helps in improving their mental health.
“I am happy to work with CYAN as a mother that wants to see the growth and development of the youth in Nigeria, and that’s we say build the youth, build the country,” she said.
Romeo Nyamatsa, a Musician/Entertainment Entrepreneur, and a primary stakeholder in the creative industry sector of the country, said been nominated as one of the awardees to be inducted into CYAN didn’t come to him as a surprise.
“For me, this is not a coincidence. This year would make it my 20th year of producing music albums and it also happens to be the year in which I am been inducted into the Commonwealth.
“So, immediately I was contacted about what is coming up, I was quick to respond to it, knowing that this is my passion which has driven to where I am today.
“I am very passionate about young people and have actually been working with them for over 30 years,” he said.
NAN also reports that some of the list of awardees include; Engr Balami Isaac Balami,
CEO 7Star Global Aviation & Founder Isaac Balami Foundation, Mr Ukan Kurugh, a Human Rights Activist and Social Influencer.
Also, are Miss Erelu Florida Okunowo, Coordinator, Abuja Chapter CBW-Africa, Mr Haakyav Peter Tombu, CEO Harrypee Logistics and Mrs Molara Babatunde-Soares, Founder, Molara Soares Life Charity Outreach and Cultural Mediator, Commissions for Refugees, Central Italy, ANCONA.
Others are; Fred Bright Ofoma, MC/Comedian, Social Activist and Politician, Mr Romeo Nyamatsa, a Musician/Entertainment Entrepreneur, and Mr Victor Okoye, a media practitioner with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Vice Chairman, Sports Writers of Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Chapter. (www.nannews.ng)
