…Gifts artisans, traders modern machines worth millions
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) on Wednesday celebrated Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary with a blend of patriotic reflection and practical empowerment, unveiling the Tinubu CARES Initiative and the NYCN Entrepreneurship Development Fund as part of efforts to strengthen youth participation in national development.
The event, held in Abuja, began with an address by NYCN President, Comrade (Amb.) Solomon Adodo, who paid tribute to the sacrifices that won Nigeria’s independence while urging young people to embrace their role in the country’s economic transformation. He said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had placed the youth at the centre of Nigeria’s future, stressing that the time had come for Nigerian youths to match government’s confidence in them with action, innovation, and enterprise.
Adodo declared that the launch of the Tinubu CARES Initiative symbolised the President’s genuine concern for young Nigerians, not only in policy but in practical interventions that would improve livelihoods. He explained that alongside the initiative, the Entrepreneurship Development Fund was being introduced to give young business owners zero-interest financing, enabling them to translate ideas into thriving ventures. According to him, “From markets to garages, from streets to communities, we will carry this hope directly to the people.”
To demonstrate this commitment, the Youth Council left the ceremonial ground and proceeded to the Area 1 Market in Abuja, where it engaged directly with traders and artisans. Weeks earlier, the Council had consulted with the market community to understand their most urgent needs. On Independence Day, those promises materialised as traders received state-of-the-art equipment, including modern shoemaking machines, industrial tailoring machines, and other business tools, with some items valued at over ₦600,000 each.
The market empowerment exercise sparked jubilation, with beneficiaries describing the intervention as life-changing. A shoemaker who received one of the machines said it would allow him to take on more apprentices and increase his daily production. A female tailor, almost in tears, described the support as “the kind of empowerment that goes straight to the people, not to political godfathers.” Market leaders also hailed the Youth Council, noting that the initiative would raise productivity, improve household incomes, and inspire more young people to embrace vocational skills.
Adodo, who personally handed over some of the equipment, reiterated that the interventions were part of a larger plan to ensure that Nigerian youths are not left behind in the country’s development drive. He also used the opportunity to commend President Tinubu for placing young people at the centre of his administration’s agenda, while acknowledging the National Assembly for creating legislative frameworks such as the establishment of Regional Development Commissions, which ensure no community or region is neglected.
The Independence Day activities concluded with a colourful youth rally, where young Nigerians pledged unity, hard work, and commitment to building a nation where talent thrives and opportunities abound. For many at the event, the combination of patriotic reflection and direct empowerment made this year’s Independence celebration especially meaningful, as it highlighted how national promises could be translated into visible impact at the grassroots.