As part of efforts towards ensuring that youths in Lagos State are accommodated in the policy direction of government, the State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a stakeholders meeting on the review of the Lagos State Youth Policy
Speaking during the meeting held on Tuesday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nurudeen Olowopopo Drive, Alausa – Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Ayoola Olugbenga Aina, stated that Lagos adopted the National Youth Policy of 2009 with a view to entrenching a sustainable youth agenda that would engender meaningful engagement and enhance their quality of life.
Dr. Aina said, however, that “Evolving socio-economic issues, new and innovative opportunities, and the peculiarities of the State made the review of the National Youth Policy inevitable and essential”.
Represented at the event by Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, the Director, Admin and Human Resource in the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary said the Lagos State Youth Policy was launched in 2016 as a document that clearly articulated the youth challenges, provided a roadmap for addressing the needs in pursuance of youth growth and development while providing them with a high quality of life.
On her part, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative, Dr. Esther Somefun, while commending Lagos State Government for the formulation of the Youth Policy document, urged the participants to imbibe the culture of documenting their fieldwork, just as she envisaged a thorough review of the document.
Dr. Somefun said, “The UNFPA will continue to support Lagos State in helping the youths develop their potentials”.
In their remarks, General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disabilities Affairs (LASODA), Mr. Oluwadamilare Ogundairo and the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development to the State Governor, Mr. Saheed Afonja, commended the State Government for the initiative which brought to fore the needs of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) and the youths, adding that their contribution could not be jettisoned in actualising the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda of the present administration.
The Coordinator, Mr. Tayo Olosunde took the 50 participants drawn from MDAs, voluntary organisations and youth groups through the 15 thematic areas that made up the State Youth Policy.
Olosunde urged the youths to meticulously peruse the document and make recommendations that would guide the State Government in the implementation of its youth policy.
