CREATIVITY THROUGH COLLABORATION AND AFRO-CENTRIC SOLUTIONS.

We live in a time when creativity is not a skill, but a necessity. In a world that is constantly evolving, it is the creative mindthose who can think outside the box, who can innovate and transform challenges into opportunities that will lead the way forward.

These remarks by Nigeria's Minister of state for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande foregrounds the theme of the third edition of the Africa Youth conference 2024.
In line with the UN Sustainable development goals and the call to action on the need for youth led organizations to collaborate with the Government to heighten its attainment, Youth leaders, professionals, key stakeholders and government officials converged on the 17th of August, 2024 at the Maryam Babangida Center for Women's development, Abuja to discuss three pertinent aspects of the Sustainable Development goals: Education (4.0) Zero Hunger (2.0) and Climate Change (13.0).

The third edition of the Africa Youth Conference was organized in partnership with the Nigerian Senate Committee on Sustainable development goals, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Steel Development, Office of the President on Sustainable development goals as well as the private sector.

To define a sustainable plan of action for these challenges, Distinguished guests from The National Assembly, Civil society organizations, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Student led bodies, the African Union and ECOWAS critically discussed and analyzed thematic issues bordering on the relevant SDGs while proffering solutions in line with the peculiarities and current political context of the Host country, and the Continent at large. Among the issues discussed was the indispensable role young people play in the actualization of the SDGs.

Several Speakers referencing the theme of the event: THE CREATIVE MIND: CREATING SUSTAINABLE IDEAS FOR LONG LASTING SOLUTIONS highlighted the need for the younger generation to use uniqueness, innovation and creativity as a means of confronting the current challenges of the 21st century. Bearing in mind the significance of education in uplifting and improving the well being of the youth, Speakers also recommended the need for collaboration between the youth and the Government as a means of achieving their long term goals.