[PHOTOS]: Make better choices for future, youth told

Youth have been urged to make right choices to secure a better future not only for themselves but also the entire country. The call was made by Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the minister for youth and ICT, as he presided over the opening of the 2015 edition of the YouthConnekt series at Petit Stade in Remera yesterday. “You didn’t choose to be born Rwandan, nor male or female. These are things we cannot decide on. However, for your future, it’s up to you to make the right choice. The choice of what you stand for is what will determine your future. Once you make good choices, a better future is almost guaranteed,” Nsengimana told a group of youths representing their peers from across the country. Nsegimana chats with Rosemary Mbabazi (R), the Permanent Secretary of MYICT, yesterday, during the YouthConnekt convention. YouthConnekt is an annual event that brings together more than 3,000 youths from across the country. It is marked by YouthConnekt award-giving, exhibition, signing of performance contracts (Imihigo) and youth participation in the National Dialogue (Umushyikirano). This year’s convention is being held under the theme, “Rwandans’ Choices –Foundation of National Development and Dignity.” Fidèle Ndayisaba, the mayor of the City of Kigali, urged the youth to take advantage of the prevailing enabling climate to empower themselves. “The guarantor of success to you is your age beside several government initiatives aimed at empowering you. Minister Nsegimana officiates at the opening of three-day YouthConnekt forum yesterday. This is your time to take advantage of these initiatives and strive to achieve more for your future,” Ndayisaba said. Vedaste Mutungirehe, a youth participating in the convention who is also exhibiting his leather products, said the forum is an opportunity for him to learn from others and publicise his project. “We all come from different backgrounds of the country and engaged in different activities. This is an opportunity for me to share my experience with my peers. It is an occasion for me to know about the challenges they face in their daily activities and how they are overcome. So this is very important for me,” Mutungirehe, who operates from Gatsata in Gasabo District, said. A section of youths at the YouthConnekt convention at Petit Stadium in Remera yesterday. (Photos by Doreen Umutesi) Alain Nteziryayo, another participant who is into handcraft and operates from Gakiriro (former Gakinjiro), also in Gasabo, said all the youth need is to believe in themselves to succeed in whatever they do. The fourth edition of the National YouthConnekt Convention was organised by the Ministry of Youth and ICT, in collaboration with National Youth Council, One UN and other partners. It is annually organised to coincide with Umushyikirano, which platform they use to air out any challenges they face or make contribution towards nation-building. This 13th edition of Umushyikirano kicks off today under a similar theme, “Rwandans’ Choices –Foundation of National Development and Dignity.” The about 3,000 youths participating in the convention include entrepreneurs and professionals, innovators and university students. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS]: Make better choices for future, youth told