By Ghazali Ibrahim 
President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Implementation Committee for the National Youth Conference, reaffirming his commitment to reverse the “japa” trend – a phenomenon where Nigerian professionals leave the country in search of better opportunities.
Addressing the committee members at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, President Tinubu also urged the committee to take the opportunity serious and make inputs that can change the future for the youths.
The 44-member implementation committee is tasked with ensuring that the recommendations from the youth conference lead to impactful policies.
The committee is chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya.
Tinubu’s inauguration of the committee comes five months after he announced plans for a 30-day national youth confab to address critical issues facing the country’s youths.
Tinubu emphasized that his administration’s economic reforms will encourage professionals who left the country to return.
He believes that by growing prosperity at home and empowering people, they will no longer feel the need to leave.
The President also highlighted the progress of his economic reforms, noting that the initial phase was challenging but has started yielding results.
He mentioned that prices are falling, confidence in the economy is improving, investors are looking to Nigeria, and technology is advancing.
Speaking at the conference, a member of the committee, Samson Itodo applauds the initiative of Tinubu’s administration.
“This Confab we believe is a demonstration of your commitment to not just youth development but citizen engagement and inclusive governance…you have told the world that young people are more than just media aides because you have appointed young people as your Special Advisers or Special Assistants on community engagements”, he said.
