The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced plans to set up an innovative youth centre to fast track human capital development in the Plateau.
Mr William Tuma, the Head of the UNDP delegation, stated this during a courtesy visit to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, on Thursday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UNDP, a development agency of the UN, supports transformative programmes in the area of sustainable development, democratic governance, peacebuilding, climate and disaster resilience, among others.
Tuma also commended Mutfwang’s efforts in infrastructure development in the state.
He said the UN agency would partner with Plateau for more development.
“As you are aware, one of the areas where we are hoping to collaborate with you is in establishing a center and a space where the young people of this great state can start building solutions.
“Solutions that advance the development agenda of the state in the form of a mega space.
“We want to pay attention to the human talent and the capacity of talent that is resident within the state.
“That way, we will activate it and build the next generation of entrepreneurs that can create solutions for the state.
“We are hoping to visit some of the sites as well, including the spaces where we shall establish the center. We will also engage with some of the innovators in the state as well.
“What we are hoping to do, in a very rapid way, is to have an understanding of what opportunities we can capitalise on,
“You can rest assured that we are here to stay, and an opportunity has been provided for us under your leadership to think more strategically on how we can accomplish your vision” he said.
Tuma also noted that the team had observed that opportunities abound in several areas which they intend to explore in the state.
Responding, Mutfwang, who appreciated the organisation for the interest shown in Plateau, said the state is more than willing to partner with the organisation.
“I would say this is the day the lord has made, because I remember visiting the UNDP office in Abuja in June, and that day was a good day, it was the day the UNDP fell in love with Plateau and Plateau fell in love with UNDP.
“This is the realisation of that day that we are seeing today. I want to thank you very much for walking the talk.
“When we got back from that trip, we began to work on making sure that we provided the necessary enabling environment for UNDP to test out this objective in the state.
“We were able to, at least, find a place to start with that we can call an office and the potential sites for the innovation center.
“We saw what you did in Lagos, quite amazing, marrying architecture with culture and then ICT to be able to create the necessary opportunities for young people to express themselves.
“There is a budding ICT community here on the plateau that I am sure you would take with excitement, thank you for coming” he said.
