ABUJA — The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has been invested as the Grand Patron of the Presidential Call for Advanced Nigeria (PCAN) during a ceremony held Tuesday in Abuja.
The conferment recognizes Olawande’s grassroots-oriented approach and measurable impact in advancing youth empowerment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Presenting the award, PCAN Global Convener and Group Chief Executive, Prince Jeffrey Adaralegbe, praised the Minister as a “beacon of transformative leadership” who has successfully bridged the gap between policy formulation and public delivery.
“Today we stand at an extraordinary turning point in our national journey—a moment defined not by the scale of our challenges, but by the boundless energy, creativity, and determination of our greatest asset: the Nigerian youth,” Adaralegbe stated. “True leadership is measured by the courage to bridge the gap between policy and the people.”
Adaralegbe commended Olawande’s stewardship, noting key interventions that have translated policies into tangible outcomes across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas:
- Digital Literacy & Skills: Driving forward-looking training via the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA).
- Grassroots Enterprise: Deploying practical business-support initiatives directly to local communities.
- Accessible Governance: Fostering transparent, direct engagement channels for young citizens to learn, earn, and build.
The event also served as a launchpad for deeper collaboration between the Ministry and PCAN. The group outlined its upcoming national campaign focused on civic reorientation, patriotism, entrepreneurship, and productivity. The initiative features tailored interventions for civil servants, students, NYSC members, vulnerable demographics, persons with disabilities, and market communities.
Accepting the title, Olawande reiterated the administration’s focus on execution over rhetoric.
“This honour is a motivation to continue pushing for the betterment of our country,” Olawande said. “The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan; it is a mandate to make meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerian youths.”
The Minister pledged ongoing support for PCAN’s national advancement initiatives, urging civic organizations to sustain their partnership with the government in driving youth-led economic growth.
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