Hon. Lloyd Ekweremmadu
The Enugu State Government, in collaboration with South Sahara Social Development Organisation (SSSDO) and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Enugu State chapter is set to begin implementation of state youth policy.
This was the outcome of a stakeholders’ engagement on state youth policy held in Enugu on Saturday.
The event, which was organised by the SSSDO in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports was sponsored by the ActionAid.
The participants at the event were drawn from different youth groups and organisations including the NYCN, people living with disabilities and other youth organisations.
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremmadu said the state government was desirous of having a youth policy to enable for proper planning.
Ekweremmadu further disclosed that the ministry was planning to have a comprehensive data of all youths in the state from the communities to the local government areas.
“We are planning to have a youth data bank in Enugu State which will enable us to plan better for the youths of the state, ” he said.
According to him, the ministry was working in collaboration with the state bureau of statistics and the NYCN to realise the youth data bank programme.
“This policy is a very important endeavour that we are embarking on because prior to this time, Enugu State never had a youth policy, ” Ekweremmadu said.
Speaking, Mr Udochukwu Egwim, Head of programme, SSSDO said that the engagement followed several others in the past which culminated in the draft youth policy ready for final adoption and implementation.
He said: ” After today, we seek to have a comprehensive youth policy in Enugu State. “
A stakeholder, Mrs Adaeze Isamade, vice chairman of NYCN, Oji River Local Government Area, advocated for the establishment of supervising councillor for youths in the all the local government Councils.
Isamade said this would give more recognition as well as assist the successful implementation of the state youth policy at the grassroots.
Some of the provisions in the draft youth policy includes Respect for human rights, inclusiveness and participation, transparency and accountability.
