Towards ensuring that youths are favourably positioned to contribute their quota in nation-building, the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has organised an interactive session with Voluntary Youth Organisations (VYOs) as well as Youth Focused Non-Governmental Organisations and presented subventions to them.
The programme also intimated the VYOs and YFNGOs in Lagos State about the activities of the government and presented the youth organisations an opportunity to air their views on most of the government policies and initiatives, just as they were expected to proffer solutions to existing challenges and possible areas of intervention as well as areas of possible collaboration for effective youth development.
In his keynote address at the event held in Radio Lagos Multipurpose Hall, Agidingbi – Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu stated that the forum was expected to serve as a platform for strengthening collaboration with the organisations involved in youth development.
Describing youths as powerful change agents with a lot of agility, energy, innovativeness, resilience and creativity that should be harnessed for all-round development of the State, Dawodu urged the organisations to create supportive learning settings that nurture young people’s strengths and interests to make them thrive.
The Commissioner disclosed that the ‘Police Youth Dialogue’, ‘IBILE Youth Academy’ and ‘Grant-in-Aid’ were among the programmes approved by Governor Babajide Sanwoolu towards youth development.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olugbenga Ayoola Aina said the interactive session and presentation of subvention was to appreciate the organisations for their efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and commend their efforts in the task of building the youths through collaboration.
Speaking on the topic “The Role of the Youth in the Achievement of the Lagos Smart City Project”, the Guest Speaker, Mr. Tayo Olusunde applauded the State Government for the trailblazing efforts in youth development, describing it as worthy of emulation by other States in Nigeria.
Olusunde challenged the youths to leverage their innate abilities and technology to contribute towards realisation of the Lagos Smart City Project.
He encouraged the youth organisations to focus on pursuing vision, wielding influence, making impact, embarking on advocacy, mainstreaming and seeking opportunities.
Amongst the organisations present at the occasion were Nigeria Girls Guide, Boys Scout, Boys Brigade, National Youth Council of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter), Lagos Community Youth Development Initiative, Ansar Ud- deen Society, Ahmadiyya Movement, Nigeria Red Cross, Royal Rangers, Muslim Congress and Royal Shepherd. The groups proffered relevant suggestions and recommendations for moving the State forward in terms of youth development.
