ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has reiterated the need for a digital economy that would bring global communities closer by engaging the youths, thereby eliminating poverty and other forms of ills in society.
The call was made in commemoration of the just concluded 2021 World Day for social justice with the theme: “A call for social justice in a Digital Economy”.
During a webinar organized by ActionAid Nigeria through the Social mobilization unit and Youth Digital Engagement (YDE) project, the Country Director, Ene Obi said if the societies of the planet overcome the mentioned challenges, only a diverse global culture can emerge where everyone has equal rights.
She said all these can only be done if the Federal Government at all levels plays its roles accordingly by ensuring a level of accountability.
A panellist at the webinar and also the Policy, Research and Influencing Manager, Plan International Nigeria, Tunde Aremu said the existing laws in the country can drive the digital economy.
He called on the need by the Federal Government through the National Assembly to review policy on the digital economy.
According to him, the government should state the exact processes and the Nigerian youths has to be included in the developmental process.
He further added that the digital space is an enabler and urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of it.
Another panellist and the National Coordinator, Nigeria Youth, SDG Network, Joshua Alade lamented that Youths are no longer excited about the future because they feel the government don’t have them in their plans.
He said the youth should be able to compete on the global scale in the digital economy adding that it is the age of information and knowledge.
He said Nigeria can’t prepare the youth for the future if they don’t have the digital skills adding that the digital economy offers the country a large gain.
Also, a Community Development Practitioner who was also a panellist at the webinar, Zaliha Lawal said the country’s educational system is not fitting in the global trend calling on the need to key into innovations.
Source: www.blueprint.ng
