Tinubu reaffirms commitment to child development

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s resolve to invest in the growth and wellbeing of Nigerian children as nurturing the young population remains central to Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja at a public presentation of a book titled “The Power of a Teenager: 50 Ways to Inspire Change” by Mr Bamidele Salam, a member of House of Representatives, (PDP-Osun)

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book presentation was part of activists at the ongoing 2025 National Children Leadership Conference organised by the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV)

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant to the National Assembly (House of Representatives), Dr Ibrahim Olarewaju, Tinubu commended Salam, the founder of CALDEV for his dedication to youth development.

“My administration remains committed to investing in the growth and wellbeing of Nigerian children as nurturing the young population remains central to Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

He urged all attendees to make a personal commitment to shaping the minds of young Nigerians.

He said that while Salam funded the CALDEV initiative personally, the greater task would be in mentoring and guiding the nation’s youth.

The president said that the impact of what Salam had done might not be very visible in the life of the children at moment but would be clearly seen in the near future.

In his remarks, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, described the book presentation as a clear demonstration of the potential of Nigerian children.

Represented by Senior Special Assistant, Dr Kingsley Uzoma, Shettima lauded Salam for aligning his work with President Tinubu’s vision for youth empowerment.

“This initiative speaks directly to the leaders of tomorrow and I commend both the organisation and the children participating in this years’s national children conference,” he said.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila said that the children were the future of this nation.

He said that though they were young, they were seen and expected to take the country to where it should be.

Gbajabiamila commended Salam for consistently making efforts for the future generation, saying that it was a testament to leadership and commitment.

“Leadership may be inborn or thrust upon you, but there must be someone to guide you; that is what this book is doing.

“It provides the guidance in our young people need and I urge all the children to read and internalise its lessons,” he said.

In his remarks, Salam who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, said that CALDEV was founded in 2015 to fill a gap in Nigeria’s educational system.

According to him, leadership training is rarely embedded in the curriculum; through CALDEV’ National Children’s Leadership Conference, children gain practical exposure to leadership, public speaking, and community service.

The lawmaker said that many past participants had gone on to start NGOs, run radio programmes, and lead campaigns addressing early marriage, child labour, and other social issues.

“This year, about 400 children are participating and the impact has been phenomenal,” Salam said.

He urged state governments to replicate the initiative at the state level to provide young people across Nigeria with intensive leadership training.

Salam said that properly trained and nurtured children could become agents of change, promoting peace, tolerance, education, and societal development.

Also speaking, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) lauded Salam for his dedication to youth development through the newly launched book.

Chinda said that he was proud that a member of the house was actively shaping the future of Nigerian children.

“As members of the House of Representatives, we hold our heads high today that one of us is doing this.

“We are very proud, and we pray that this inspiration should flow through every other member of the House,” he said.

Chinda said that the legacy of leaders and thinkers was remembered not for wealth but for wisdom and the knowledge they left behind.

Also, Zainab Gimba (APC-Borno) said that Salam had given young people a voice, an example for others to follow so that our teenagers would be empowered, not just this generation but in future generations to come. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)