Youths in Lagos under the umbrella of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) have appealed for more inclusion in governance in order to contribute their ingenuity to fast-track socio-political and economic development in the state.
The above and many other demands formed the communique issued at the end of a youth and governance symposium organised by the youth group last Saturday at the Dr. Lolade Okoya-Thomas Hall within Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The event themed ‘Youth In Governance: Building A Foundation For Sustainable Development’ was graced by the State Governor and his deputy, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, respectively as represented by the Commissioner for youth and social development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende.
Other points in communique signed by the Chairman of the youth group, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan and made available to pressmen read:
“1. There should be collective efforts towards ensuring 40% youth inclusion at the next forthcoming LGAs & LCDAs election.
2. The Youth council should lead a massive drive for the youths to register and collect their PVC.
3. The government were urged towards the integration of People living With Disabilities (PWD) into governance at all levels of government in Lagos State, at a reasonable percentage.
4. The government were also urged to ensure the establishment of Youth department in each of the LGAs and LCDAs against the forthcoming election.
5. The Youth Council are advised to domesticate the Youth and Governance Symposium by staging it across the 57 local branches of the NYCN in Lagos State to further strengthen the awareness of youth involvement in Governance.
Speaking on behalf of the state governor and his deputy, the commissioner for youth, Hon. Ogunlende commended the youth body for what he described as a vital platform to engage emerging leaders assuring that the state government will not relent in its efforts to ensure youths inclusivity and human-capacity development.
On her part, the deputy speaker, Hon. Meranda lauded the chairman of the youth body, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan for the thoughtfulness of putting such a mega platform together to further bridge the gap between government and the teeming youth. The astute lawmaker reiterated the state assembly’s resolve to continually give legislative support for beneficial policies to the teeming Lagos youth.
The event also featured a panel session wherein the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA and Secretary of Conference 57; Hon. Rasaq Ajala, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Builder Sesan Daini, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Temitope Adewale, a former NYCN Lagos State Chairman, Leader Ismaeel Odulana, former Coordinator of NYCN Olorunda Local Branch; Comr. Abdulsalam Ashade took turns to share insightful ideas on how youths can better contribute to the socio-political growth of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
A major highlight of the epochal event was the decoration of Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende and Hon. Mojisola Meranda as Lagos Youth Development Ambassadors, respectively while Hon. Moremi Ojudu, Hon. Temitope Adewale, Hon. Ajala, Hon. Daini and Leader Odulana got similar honor in appreciation of their unwavering and continued support to NYCN Lagos.
Other notable dignitaries in attendance included, the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was represented by Hon. Abimbola Orekoya while the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Youth and Social Devt, Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu ably represented by the Director of youth Mr. Lateef Saka, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Housing, Hon. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the National President Of NYCN, Amb Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, NYCN National Vice President (Southwest), Comrade Tomi Amosu, the National PRO Comrade Dotun Omoyele, the Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, Human Rights and LASIEC (LAHA), Hon. Ladi Ajomale, the Chairman of Isolo LCDA Otunba Olasoju Adebayo represented by his Special Adviser; Hon. Abiola Ayinde-Marshal, the Vice Chairman Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Gbenga Abiola (Agbelebu), the Chairman of NYCN Advisory Council, Hon. Lolade Shonibare, CEO of Utiva Otunba Eyitayo Ogunmola, and the President of Lagos State Public Service Club, High Chief Kayode Odunuga. Others include the Senior Special Assistants to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Wealth Creation – Amb. Saheed Tijani; Youth Mobilisation, Hon. Alabi Opeyemi; Social Development – Hon. Biliamin Oba, Civic Engagement – Hon. Ruth Lijirin, Students’ Union Affairs and Tertiary Education, Hon. Samuel Kappo and Hon. Adeola Adewunmi, respectively among others.
