The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa have launched the Nigeria-South Africa Youth Dialogue for peace and security, youth development and Political participation.
President Buhari stated that the dialogue was established to help promote peace-building, economic development, and to help both countries jointly combat youth restiveness.
Speaking virtually to the youths during the launch, the President said; “the dialogue would help afford both countries to strategically develop a vast world of collaboration in areas of science and technology, including climate change, energy demands, green technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, telematics, agriculture, technology and much more.”
President Buhari said: ‘’Nigeria and South Africa have a combined population of about 262 million of which 95 million are youth.
‘’This represents tremendous potential for both countries if we can truly harness this demographic with more dedicated action.
‘’This sizable youth population may also represent significant problems if we fail to maximize their potential in a world that globalisation and technology are reshaping at breakneck speed.
‘’These are the rationale for proposing this Youth Dialogue, ” he explained.
President Buhari described the inauguration of the Steering Committee on the Youth Dialogue during the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission as a great leap forward.
The committee is expected to come up with the road map for the actualization of the Youth Dialogue.