By Dipo Olowookere
Lagos State Government has unveiled a policy roadmap designed to engender meaningful engagement and enhance the quality of life of the teeming youths of the State.
Speaking at the public presentation of the Policy on Tuesday in Alausa, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the Policy is a well-designed framework that clearly articulates and provides roadmap for addressing the needs of Lagos State youths.
The Commissioner noted that the evolving socio-economic issues, new and innovative opportunities and the peculiarities of the State made the review of the already existing National Youth Policy of 2009 inevitable and essential.
“The whole idea of the state youth policy is to integrate the needs of Lagos youths with the State’s Development Plan in line with the long-term vision of the State Government. It is important for activities and plans for youth development to align with the Lagos State vision for the overall development of the state,” she said.
She said that though the policy recognizes the fact that all young people have common experiences, share similar aspirations and concerns , the needs and concerns of the different segments of the youth population differ and must be addressed with identified peculiarities.
“The document identified the core areas of needs of the youth in the State to include Eradication of Poverty, Improved Education and Health Care Delivery, Agriculture, Politics and Decision Making, Conflict Prevention and Peace Building, Sports and Recreation, Family Life among others,” she added.
Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf, however, maintained that the effective implementation of the policy depends on an active institutional framework, robust political backing, active administrative and technical support of all concerned stakeholders.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Lola Akande decried the present situation of the country where unemployed youths depend on their parents for survival even after university graduation.
Mrs Akande, however, thanked the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for his effort at correcting the anomaly and in making the youth independent through several empowerment initiatives.
She advised unemployed undergraduates in the state to, in addition to academic pursuits, learn skills that would make them independent.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola said that the policy represents the statement of commitment and vision of the state government to the overall growth and development of youths in the State.
He called for the support and active involvement of all relevant ministries, departments and agencies, youth organizations, private sector, the civil society and the public in the implementation and realization of the fifteen thematic areas of intervention identified as piority for youth development in the state.
The Youth Policy was unveiled by the lawmaker representing Surulere 1 in the State House of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliot alongside the House of Assembly Chairman on Youth and Social Development, Mr Adedamola Richard-Kasumu.
