Youth Engagement: Our rehabilitation centre to tackle drug abuse would be one of the largest in Africa – LASG
…As Youth Ambassadors stress importance of engagement
By Moses Adeniyi
As the impacts of drug abuse continue to assume disturbing turn in Nigeria, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has said that it is currently building a large capacity rehabilitation centre to address issues of increasing victims of drug abuse in the State.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs & Investment, Solape Hammond (Mrs.), made the disclosure on Monday at a Press Conference to unveil the official launch of a platform, tagged “Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance” designed to engage youth in productive ventures.
The Special Adviser who lamented the effects of the increasing rate of drug abuse among youths in the Country, said the Lagos State Government was much aware of the menace and has been taking proactive measures to confront the impacts on the society.
Mentioning that the State would be unrelenting in the measures, she said: “There is a lot of intervention around drug abuse. We are building one of the largest rehabilitation centre in Africa currently as we speak.”
Speaking to Nigerian NewsDirect, she exclusively disclosed that work was been intensified to bring the project to completion soon.
According to her, the Alliance unveiled on Monday was a unique occasion aimed at amplifying and repositioning the broad tendencies of youths for common good with broad engagement with the Government.
“The birth of this lofty initiative – the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance emerged from our conviction that youth represent formidable and potent force through which positive impact can be made in all sphere of human endeavours and where meaningful engagements with them is a prerequisite for achieving the Greater Lagos Agenda and by extension the Global Sustainable Development Goals.
“As a Government that recognises the value of collaboration and engagement, we are establishing a clear and enduring pathway for meaningful youth participation in governance and in shaping the future they so much desire while at the same time providing them with required support and enabling environment to thrive,” she said.
She mentioned that “far from addressing them as mere beneficiaries of the 2030 Agenda, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated his passion to position young people as active architects in the State’s developmental pursuits and he has continued to engage them in the frameworks and processes that support implementation, follow-up and review of development initiatives.”
The movement, she said, was a special purpose vehicle that will drive a society of resourceful youth whose potentials “are to be harnessed to drive the Greater Lagos ambition by channelling their energy, education, intellect and resourcefulness towards positive engagement for a better future.”
According to her, the efforts was conceived towards shaping an exciting future by enabling young people to immerse in a social reality and responsibility that will help unleash a new tribe of citizens that are committed to common good.
“Certainly, we are starting a new journey and shaping an exciting future by enabling young people to immerse in a social reality and responsibility that will help unleash a new tribe of citizens that are committed to common good.
“We are poised to make this movement a special purpose vehicle that will drive a society of resourceful youth whose potentials are to be harnessed to drive the Greater Lagos ambition by channelling their energy, education, intellect and resourcefulness towards positive engagement for a better future.”
“We are determined to deepen the focus on youth-oriented approach to social change.
“Along with their drive and enthusiasm to do well, they bring a diversity of fresh perspectives and interpretations to the challenges and opportunities we all face. They remain a source of new energy and solutions to the persistent problems of our time,” she said.
Hammond who mentioned that the administration was not oblivious of the unique challenges of today’s world, said the challenge nonetheless, called for having an active and substantive engagement with “young women and men of great potential and deploying their competence into planning, articulation and implementation of development priorities will improve the efforts of the government and establish positive influence on the society.”
Speaking to the senses of youths, she said: “You are fiercely creative, incredibly innovative, amazingly resourceful and very vocal; instigators of movements that speed through our digital and physical worlds and shift culture and attitudes in a manner and pace never before seen.
“We see you express this in music, fashion, social media engagement… in your protests. You have shown you can be captains of your own destiny – and boldly ask for what you want.”
“Dear youths of this eminent city, the countless opportunities to accelerate outcomes in your selfless service to humanity and to co-create the future you want are now laid before you.
“We encourage you to maximise the advantages of invaluable networking, priceless contacts, profound deliberations, quality mentorship, exchange of brilliant ideas and collaborative action that are available through your participation in this noble cause.
“We are highly optimistic as we see some notable Champions of this fellowship already committing resources and efforts to solve some emerging challenges in our communities.”
She further encouraged “well-meaning Lagosians, corporate institutions and other good-spirited bodies to renew their efforts towards the advancement of our society and to drive impact in achieving the SDGs in Lagos State.”
“If we are really serious about ’Leaving no one behind’, we must have a responsive approach to the voice and needs of youth by equipping them with skills, knowledge and confidence to be responsible global citizens,” she said.
In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Sanwo-Olu on SDG, Olalekan Fatodu, said the State Government would continue to broaden engagement with Lagos youths to develop their human capacity index.
Youth Social Worker, and Executive Director – Nigeria Youth SDGs Network, Joshua Alade, said the need for alliance with and engagement in government “to activate the connectivity power of young people in Lagos,” was sacrosanct to giving opportunities to youths.
According to him, such alliance would produce productive outcomes in the nearest future on human capacity development.
in his words, Community Development Strategist and Founder/CEO, African Clean Up Initiative, Alexander Akhigbe, said Government “engagement (with the youths) is mind blowing”, emphasizing that paying attention to the environment is paramount in the 21st century economy.
In her words, Girl Child Social Worker and CEO, Royal Germ Initiatives, said teaching the girl child and helping them on affairs that pertain to their immediate needs remain sacrosanct.
