News Investigators/ The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader, Ibrahim Bala-Aboki has announced plan by the youth arm of the party to train 100 youths in different vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
Mr Bala-Aboki disclosed at an event to mark the 2026 International Youth Day, at the party’s national headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that the initiative was designed by his office to promote youth empowerment, self-reliance, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable livelihood for the youths across the country.
He said that the 100 beneficiaries would be train-trainers who thereafter would be expected to train 38,000 other youths across the country.
“As we celebrate the International Youth Day today, let us remember that young people are not leaders of tomorrow alone; we are leaders, partners and stakeholders as well.
“Under the present leadership, we are collaborating with Destiny Hotshot Synergy International to train 100 youths under the train-the-trainers initiative aimed at empowering youths across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” he said.
Mr Bala-Aboki said that his leadership vision was to give young people a stronger voice, a greater role and a meaningful stake in the future of PDP and democracy in Nigeria.
“For instance, within the first 100 days in office, we have focused on mobilisation, inclusion, empowerment, participation and grassroots development,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to building a “youth structure that is inclusive, vibrant, disciplined, innovative and grassroots-driven.”
He emphasised the need to collectively create greater opportunities for young people, strengthen PDP structures and deepen youth participation in democratic governance.
“The PDP youths are determined to mobilise other Nigerians to shun voter apathy in Nigeria. Every voter is a leader.
Together, let us shape and forge our chosen future.
“On this International Youth Day, let us move forward with one conviction:
“Youth inclusion is not a favour. It is an investment in the future of our party and our nation,” Bala-Mr Aboki said.
Former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, who was the chairman of the occasion called for greater investment in the Nigeria youth.
Mr Lamido, who was represented by the PDP governorship candidate for Gombe, Isah Pantami, described, youth as the backbone of humanity, vanguards of positive change and the pillars of stability globally.
He said that in spite of the potential, Nigeria youths are being confronted with employment challenges, mismatched education system, high cost of living and lack of mentorship, among others.
He emphasised the need for job creation and mentorship, stating that the PDP and its candidates in 2027 were committed to prioritise youth inclusion and development.
On his part, the PDP National Director of Administration, Arthur Ekwelem, urged young Nigerians to recognise their numerical strength, energy, creativity and ability to mobilise as important tools for influencing electoral outcomes.
Mr Ekwelem said active and informed participation by young Nigerians could significantly strengthen the country’s democracy.
He said the withdrawal of citizens from the electoral process weakens democratic institutions and created room for emergence for poor leadership.
He identified distrust in political institutions, fear of electoral violence, economic hardship, misinformation and disinformation, inadequate civic education and logistical challenges as some of the factors contributing to voter apathy.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the PDP Female Youth Wing, Loveth Izekor, called for greater opportunities, funding and political tickets for young women.
Ms Izekor urged young women to move beyond being mobilised for political activities and become decision-makers capable of setting political agendas.
“Democracy dies when the youths are silent. We must move from being mobilised to being decision-makers,” she said.
Ms Izekor called on political leaders and stakeholders to provide young women with the tools, funding and opportunities needed to compete effectively in politics.
NAN