BREAKING NEWS, Youth
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THE Ministry of Youth and Social Development is set to synergize its relationship with Voluntary Youth Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations and other youth service providers in the State to enhance the gains that accrue from rapid development of youths.
Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, commissioner of Youth and Social Development, disclosed this during the 2nd Youth Stakeholders Forum with the theme ‘Youth Development, Challenges and Opportunities’ held at the Onikan Youth Centre on Thursday.
In her keynote address, she noted that “this forum is aimed at outlining challenges facing the youth and also proffer practicable solutions to investing in the future of the young people in our society.”
Akinbile-Yussuf emphasized that the objective of the forum is to provide opportunity for government and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOS, to work as a team in promoting youth development and also to provide opportunities for NGOs to partner with each other in order to reach out to more youths in the Lagos geographical terrain.
The Commissioner identified youth development as a significant investment, which if properly handled will lead to gains both in the present and the future, adding that the development of Youth in Lagos State will engender tremendous productivity in the economy, generate increase in Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and significantly contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
In her words, “ the development of human capital especially among the youth through skills acquisition, vocational training and empowerment will help in reducing unemployment, create desired values , up-lift the productivity of the State and promote self-reliance among the youth, thereby aid national growth in all aspects of societal basic institutions.”
She emphasized that, “it is important to recognize the relevance of young people who already see themselves as leaders in nation building, as they remain the pivot of social development, hence there is need for the involvement of voluntary youth organisations and youth service providers as relevant organisations in the implementation of youth development policy and activities that affect their collective interest in order to assess their operational effectiveness.”
Akinbile-Yussuf highlighted some of the issues to be addressed as youth unemployment, increase in crime rate among the youth, youth restiveness and inter-street cult practice, role of the media and business support amongst others.
The Permanent Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, in his address said the forum serves as a platform for interacting with relevant stakeholders to develop a road map in addressing the challenges of the youth, which include but is not limited to youth development and social issues relating to youth development, adding that the forum will also discuss available opportunities that could enhance the socio-economic development of the State.
Muri-Okunola appreciated the efforts of various voluntary youth organisations’ leaders and captains of industries for their support and commitment to the development, empowerment and creation of opportunities for the youth across the State.
He added that, “it is obvious that the government cannot do it alone as it requires the concerted efforts of everyone involved in youth development, to work harmoniously for the provision of a conducive environment for development of the youth.”
Participants at the event expressed delight that light is being beamed on youth development, adding that it is now time, to hand over the mantle of leadership to young equipped leaders by empowering them with skills to face the challenges of sustainable development goals.
— Jul 1, 2016 @ 13:25 GMT
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