The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has assured that his administration will cede more policy making powers to the youth of the state.
He stated that they “are expected to play key roles in the design, implementation and evaluation of the policies that concern them,” a function, he said, will boost the state’s response to “special needs, problems, interests and concerns” that affect a greater number of the population in the state.
Speaking at the Lagos State Youth Leadership Conference organised by the 3rd Legislative Assembly of Lagos State Youth Parliament on Tuesday to commemorate Lagos at 50, the governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said that young people between the ages of 15 and 35 formed over 20 per cent of the state population and that his administration will involve them in the implementation of “community based services and programmes”.
He stressed that “Young people should also participate in the local and national politics” as it was “not only their right, but also their responsibility in the democratic framework”.
He said that his administration will foster more youth leadership training and participation in every aspect of development in the state.
Speaking he said, “The energy in our youth has to be utilised and channelled towards constructive contributions for the development of their community”.
“The Ministry of Youth and Social Development have two youth leadership training platforms designed to prepare young people in the state for community services and leadership.”
He also said, “The Lagos State government is investing a huge sum of money in the construction and renovation of Youth Centres and Playgrounds across the state so as to enlarge the scope and contents of young people extra-curricular activities in the state.”
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