Towards ensuring the compliance of the State Youth Policy with the current socioeconomic realities, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development on Wednesday organised a two-day Stakeholders Meeting for the Review of Lagos State Youth Policy at Ikorodu Youth Centre, Ikorodu.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu said the State adopted the National Youth Policy of 2009 with a view to establishing a sustainable youth agenda that would produce meaningful youth engagement as well as enhance their quality of life.
According to her, “In 2016, the Lagos State Youth Policy which was a five-year plan was launched with 15 – Thematic Areas and a well-considered framework. It contained the commitments of the Government, the youth of Lagos State and the society in pursuit of youth growth and development”.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that the Stakeholders Meeting was organised to critically assess the current youth policy by identifying the major gaps, challenges and its impact as the policy migrated from the current 15- Thematic Areas to the Five Pillars entrenched in the Revised National Youth Policy.
The Programme Coordinator, Youth Alive Foundation, Mr. Chamberlain Efukudoh described the step being taken by the State Government towards reviewing the document as a commendable one that should be pushed to its logical conclusion because the process has provided a feedback mechanism in the sense that it was done by critical stakeholders in the sector thereby making it not only participatory but wholistic in its approach.
On her part, a Representative of UNFPA, Mrs. Somefun Esther commended the State Government while noting that the review was long overdue taking into cognisance the fact that the current document didn’t capture some of the present realities being faced by the youth in Lagos State and issues affecting the youth must not be toyed with if the State must make progress in all areas.
In the same vein, a Representative of Youth Inspired Network, Oluwatoyin Adejokun stated that the review process was one that would make room for open and constructive contributions and its overall results would help the youth in fulfilling their potential.
Stressing the essence of the document, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Lagos State Chapter), Mr. Lekan Biliaminu and Lagos State Youth Ambassador, Miss Zainab Aderounmu said that the product of the review would go a long way in addressing the challenges currently faced by the youths in the State.
In her presentation, the Consultant, Dr. Toriola Femi Adebayo said that with the review, the Lagos State Youth Policy was migrating from the 15-Thematic Areas to Five Pillars (Productive Workforce and Sustainable Economic Engagement of Youth; Health and Health – Promoting Lifestyle; Participation, Inclusiveness and Equitable Opportunities for all Youths; Promotive and Protective Environment for Youth Development; and Partnership Building and Effective Collaboration) which would be in tandem with the National Youth Policy and wholistic in addressing the challenges of the youths in Lagos.
