President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated his Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to ensure that ministers and heads of agencies include young people with requisite skills and experience in boards and committees of the Federal Government.

President Buhari, who gave the directive while receiving members of the APC National Youth Lobby Group, said young people’s inclusion in governance would encourage learning and mentoring in government and politics.

The President asked the SGF to submit a report next week on the inclusion of young people on boards and committees yet to be constituted.

He also directed his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and the SGF to ensure monthly engagements with the APC Youth Lobby Group for better synergy and cross pollination of ideas and opportunities.

President Buhari urged both senior government officials to explore the establishment of a committee of young people to form the monitoring and evaluation team of ongoing Federal Government projects across the country.

The committee would provide feedback, which will enable his government to hold public office-holders and those given responsibility to account, the President said.

The President also welcomed the idea of the establishment of a Presidential Committee on Youth in liaison with the youth leader, requesting the SGF and the Chief of Staff to work out the modalities for its operationalisation.

He promised the APC Youth Lobby Group, led by Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, that the leadership of the party would ensure full participation of young people at all levels.

He also called on them to help the party achieve a successful Convention on February 26, as well as in subsequent elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

The President, who endorsed the 2021 APC Youth Conference Report presented to him, assured the Group that the recommendations in the report that are within his own remit would be given favourable consideration.

His administration would also encourage the leadership of states and the party to implement the recommendations of the report for the benefit of young progressives, the President said.

Describing the President as a moral compass of the nation, the APC Youth leader thanked him for sending a powerful delegation to the Progressive Youth Conference in June 2021, demonstrating that the present government believes in young people.

On the forthcoming APC convention, Barrister Ahmed appealed to the President to continue to speak for young people.