The Lagos State Government (LASG) has reiterated its determination to eradicate youth restiveness, child marriage and other practices negatively affecting youth development in the State.
This was made known by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu at the inauguration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the review of the Lagos State Youth Policy today in the Conference Room of the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary, said that Lagos State with a population made up of 60 percent youths could not afford to fold its hands and watch the potentials in the segment being wasted by negative vices prevalent among the young ones.
Speaking further, Pharm. (Mrs) Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the review of the Youth Policy was aimed at ensuring that the current document is in tandem with the present day realities and broader implementation of youth development services.
She said that the review process being supported by Youth Alive Foundation (an NGO that is funded by USAID) would concentrate on 5-Pillars and other new concepts considering the peculiarities of the State.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the five strategic thrust of the Youth Policy are: Productive Workforce and Sustainable Economic Engagement of Youth; Health and Health-Promoting Life Style; Participation, Inclusiveness and Equitable Opportunities for Youths; Promotive and Protective Environment for Youth Development; and Partnership Building and Effective Collaboration.
On his part, Programme Coordinator, Youth Alive Foundation, Nigeria, Mr Chamberlain Efukudoh said that one of the objectives of the review was to strengthen social justice while ensuring that the review committee come up with an implementable document that address the needs of the young ones.
The 17-Member Technical Working Group from the lined Ministries, Agencies and Departments, Voluntary Youth Organisations, National Youth Council of Nigeria and the Lagos State Youth Ambassadors is saddled with the mandate and responsibilities to participate, organise and facilitate the holistic review of the Lagos State Youth Policy within a time frame of 6 months.The last review of the Lagos State Youth Policy designed to operate for a period of five (5) years was in October 2016.