By Maureen Okon
The Director-General, Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Yusuf Yakub, has urged Nigerian youths to see themselves as leaders and partners in nation-building today, rather than waiting for tomorrow to take responsibility.
Yakub made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the 2026 International Youth Day, describing Nigerian youths as resilient, creative and enterprising.
He said the energy and talents of young Nigerians remained among the country’s greatest assets.
According to him, the global celebration is being observed under the theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” which he said reflected the Nigerian experience.
“Across our diverse communities, cultures and circumstances, young Nigerians may confront different challenges, but our aspirations remain remarkably similar.
“The desire for dignity, opportunity, meaningful participation and a better and more sustainable future,” he said.
Yakub noted that young Nigerians were already contributing to the country’s development through their activities in universities, workplaces, businesses, farms, laboratories, creative industries, technology hubs and communities.
He stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for young people to acquire relevant skills, knowledge, confidence and opportunities to compete globally.
The NTAC boss urged youths to uphold excellence, integrity, innovation, patriotism and service, while using Nigeria’s diversity as a platform for collaboration rather than division.
He said the voices, ideas, talents and contributions of young Nigerians were critical to nation-building.
“Do not underestimate the power of your generation to redefine Nigeria’s story and influence the wider world,” he said.
Yakub said youth development was central to NTAC’s mandate of promoting Nigeria’s goodwill through the deployment of skilled Nigerian professionals to partner countries.
He said the corps’ volunteers had demonstrated that Nigerian young professionals could make meaningful contributions beyond the country’s shores while strengthening Nigeria’s relations with the international community.
He urged young Nigerians to remain hopeful, purposeful and determined in spite of the challenges confronting the country.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria in which every young person has the opportunity to live with dignity, fulfil his or her potential and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Yakub said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations designated Aug. 12 as International Youth Day to draw attention to youth-related issues and celebrate the potential of young people as partners in society.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Halima Sheji