By Aderogba George
The Afro-Caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism (ACCCAT) has unveiled plans to host the African Youths Leadership and Culture Summit (AYLCUS), in a bid to highlight and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Africa.
ACCCAT President, Mr Quadri-Adu Kehinde, shared the details during a press conference on Thursday.
The summit, slated for Abuja from May 21 to May 25, would be an annual event, seeks to bring together over 5,000 young delegates from North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, alongside participants from the Caribbean, U.S, Europe, and Asia.
AYLCUS 2024 aims to foster discussions on the common bonds that unite Africans and provide a platform for a deeper understanding of African culture and heritage.
Kehinde highlighted the diverse components of the five-day event, including high-level conversations featuring industry leaders, business mentorship sessions for the youth, exhibitions of key African innovations, and an awards and gala ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to African society.
The summit is strategically scheduled to coincide with the African Day on May 25, following the Africa Union (AU) calendar.
The grand finale will feature a major concert, celebrating African arts through music, poetry, and dance.
According to Kehinde, the economic impact of AYLCUS on the host country, Nigeria, is estimated to surpass 100 million dollars, encompassing tourism receipts, hospitality, transport, and media PR multipliers locally and globally.
He emphasised the significance of the event, stating that it is poised to become the most important youth gathering in the country for 2024.
Calling on government and corporate organizations across Africa, Kehinde urged them to actively participate in and support the event.
Additionally, he encouraged the government to use the summit as an opportunity to assure the youth of a brighter future and called on corporate organisations to contribute to the betterment of society and the continent.
Dr James Komolafe, the Director-General of the Institute of Behavioural Alignment of Nigeria (IOBAN), echoed the need for government attention to the behavioral aspects of the youth.
He emphasised the importance of education and the implementation of policies that alleviate the suffering of the masses, fostering an enabling environment for personal growth and development. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Mark Longyen/Deji Abdulwahab
