NAN-AE-20
Revitalisation
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja reiterated its commitment to revitalise the Lake Chad Basin to harness its agricultural and water resources potentials.
Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports gave the assurance in a statement by Tolu Makinde, Director Press in the ministry.
Dalung said this when a delegation from UNESCO visited his office; saying that the issue of Lake Chad was very dear to the government and could not afford to see it dry up.
He said government was also working with countries in the Lake Chad Commission to resuscitate the Lake and harness its agricultural, water and employment generation potentials.
Dalung lamented that some people are using the cyber space to carry out negative radicalisation of youths with serious security implication.
He expressed the willingness of government to work with the body to fight the menace.
The minister appreciated the efforts of UNESCO towards the development of the country.
He called for the inclusion and involvement of youth in all programmes and policies being designed for their benefit, adding that their involvement was paramount to the success of such endeavours.
Mrs Mariam Katagum, permanent delegation of Nigeria to UNESCO, said the visit was to sensitise ministries involved in the reactivation of the Lake Chad.
She said her visit to the Youth and Sports Ministry was to exchange views on issues concerning the forthcoming UNESCO meeting that would come up in December.
According to her, during the last visit of the UNESCO Director General to Nigeria in August, there was a directive by the President that involved some ministries.
Katagum listed some of the ministries to include: ministry of youth and sports and the ministry of education which was the coordinating ministry on UNESCO affairs.
She said the meeting was to come up with action plan and timelines on Lake Chad and de-radicalisation of youth among others.
Katagum drew attention to a working proposal drawn up by the body already dispatched to ministries concerned.
She said the delegation was expecting the ministry to look at the proposal like other concerned MDA’s and make inputs.
She emphasised on the need for Nigeria to domesticate the Anti-doping Convention of which Nigeria was the first signatory in Africa; for the benefit of the youth in the country.
(NAN)
DE/AK/AFA
Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Felix Ajide
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