Henry Akpan has taken over at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development as the new Permanent Secretary following the re-deployment of the immediate past Permanent Secretary – Tunji Olaopa to the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.
While speaking at the handing over ceremony recently in Abuja, the new Permanent Secretary pledged to continue with the agenda which his predecessor has laid down for the Ministry. He noted that the idea behind the set objectives has the capacity to support the Transformation Agenda for the development of the youth sector.
The new Permanent Secretary revealed that his background in development work in the health sector would assist him to address the challenges of youths in the country. He averred that unemployment remains the major challenge facing the country and affirmed the courage and commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan towards confronting the problem.
He also called on staff to give him the same support and cooperation extended to his colleague; stating that the Ministry has the responsibility to deliver on its mandate to justify its existence.
In his remarks, Tunji Olaopa praised the Federal Government for creating the Ministry of Youth Development, saying it is one of the few existing in the world. While highlighting some of the challenges faced by the Ministry, he stressed that with proper focus and tenacity, the Ministry through re-assessment and re-appraisal of its strategies, programmes and policies would significantly impact on the lives of the over 60 million Nigerian youths across the country.
He further urged that the ultimate achievement of the Ministry should be directed towards giving the youths a voice in national development aspirations.
In his speech during the meeting with the management and staff of the Ministry, he commended them for giving him their support which he said assisted him greatly in re-directing the strategy of the Ministry towards rectifying its challenges. He charged the staff to be more dedicated to their jobs, noting that the myriad of problems facing the youths are capable of affecting the whole country and cited recent experiences in the Middle East and other parts of the world as example.
He advised them to persist in their dedication and diligence in the discharge of their duties as well as give support and cooperation to his successor.
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