Political Development: Over 800 young individuals engage in a policy proposals contest
In a stirring address at the Policy Conference for Youths and Awards Ceremony in Abuja, Mr. Dapo Oyewole, Special Adviser on Development Planning and International Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, encouraged young Nigerians to strive for greatness and build a better future for themselves and their nation.
Organised by the Future Pathways Development Initiative, an NGO, the event aimed to inspire youths to proffer evidence-based policy solutions to critical national issues. Over 800 young Nigerians participated in the competition, which took place across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Mr. Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, Founder of the Future Pathways Development Initiative, also spoke at the event. He emphasised the importance of empowering young people, saying, "There is no future without the youth. We must empower them to rise as far as their hearts can take them."
Mr. Oyewole urged leaders to cultivate national pride and aspiration among young Nigerians. He encouraged young people to continuously invest in their personal growth and education, and to remain focused in the face of challenges. He suggested that emphasising the challenging environment and claiming young people can't succeed would lead to worse outcomes.
In his speech, Mr. Oyewole also encouraged all levels of government to inspire young Nigerians to believe in the nation and revive hope in the Nigerian dream. He stated that the same dream that is possible in America can be a Nigerian dream too.
The competition culminated in a grand finale where the winner would receive a prize. While the exact winner is not yet named, it is known that the "Deutscher Innovationspreis 2025" ceremony, where winners of innovation awards were honoured, took place on March 27, 2025, in Munich, and prize money was awarded at that event.
Other participants in the competition will be awarded cash prizes and internships for exemplary performances. Oyewole also emphasised the need to restore hope in Nigeria's youth, encouraging them to continue to strive for success and to never give up on their dreams.
In conclusion, the Policy Conference for Youths and Awards Ceremony was a powerful call to action for young Nigerians to take charge of their future and to work towards building a better nation. The event served as a reminder that with hard work, focus, and determination, anything is possible.
