Olawande urges grassroots community service, inducted as Fellow
The Minister of Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, has called on Nigerians and stakeholders to complement the Federal Government’s efforts by extending hands of fellowship, partnership and contributing to community services at the grassroots level.
Olawande, who made the call at the Political Economy and Leadership Summit 2025 in Abuja, was represented by Chief Obinna Nwaka, the Director-General of the Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS).
The event was organised by the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA), under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Tunji Asaolu.
Declaring the summit open, Olawande highlighted the ministry’s programmes and initiatives that address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This, he said, wad in line with the theme: “The Political Economy of Nation Building, the World’s Unfinished Business.”
He listed some of the initiatives to include the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative for Climate Action (CEYEI), the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT), the National Youth Confab and the NYSC Reform project.
The Minister, who also received the Leadership and Good Governance Award, was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the IIEPEA in the field of Political Economy and Administration.
Others conferred with honours included Dr Nkechi Okorocha, wife of the former Governor of Imo State, and Barr. Bala James Nggilari, former Governor of Adamawa State, among others.
Speaking, the Convener, Asaolu said that the summit was an annual event designed to provide policy directions to assist government and develop a roadmap to curb national challenges.
He said that it mobilised key players in both state and non-state sectors to dialogue and discuss issues affecting the economy and youth development.
Highpoint of the event were group photographs and commendations to colleagues and youth leaders including Hon. Kelechi Ugwumba, Mr Olalekan Tobi Bakare and Ms Amarah Joseph for their support and presence at the event.
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