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 at Alausa Ikeja, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the youth policy is a well-considered framework that clearly articulates and provides strategy for addressing the needs of the youths.
According to her, 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.
Akinbile-Yussuf added that the policy is to integrate the needs of youths with the state’s development plan to be 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.
The Commissioner said though the policy recognises 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 differs and must be addressed with identified peculiarities.
She added that 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.
Akinbile-Yussuf 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.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs Lola bemoaned the present situation of the country where graduates still depends on their parents for survival.
The policy book was unveiled by state lawmakers Desmond Elliot, and Adedamola Richard-Kasumu.