-as Lagos set to establish best rehabilitation centre in Africa
-State engages 9,000 youth on special training
Some Youth Alliance Champions are expected to meet with the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday 10th September as part of efforts towards achieving the goals of Sustainable Development Programme (SDG)’s target.
This is coming as the State Goverment is launching Lagos SDG Youth Alliance with over 9,000 youths across the State.
With the theme, ‘Reinforcing Collective Commitment to Development & Common Good,’ Lagos is set to become the best rehabilitation center for youth in Africa.
These were disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs & Investment, Solape Hammond at Alausa Press Centre, noting that a number of activities had been lined up for the succees of the programme.
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.
She mentioned 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.”
The week-long activities include, Monday 6th: Visit to Community STEM HUB at Ipaja. Engagement with young people at the Abesan Youth Centre, Ipaja, visit to Lateef Jakande Comprehensive Secondary School, Ipaja.
Tuesday 7th: Visit to Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba, Engagement with Women in STEM.
Wednesday 8th: Special Appearance on TVC- Your View programme, visit to Important HUB- Engagement with young people in innovation and start-ups ecosystem, Ikoyi.
Thursday 9th: Lagos SDGs Intergenerational Dialogue- Engagement with VC of UNILAG I, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and other top resource persons including young development advocates for the dialogue.
Friday 10th: Meeting with Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu with other top Lagos SDGs Young Alliance Champions at the State House, Marina.
Saturday 11th: Networking with Young women in enterprenuship & Governance.
Speaking during the briefing, Hammond said, “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.
“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.
“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. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has further exemplified this claim when he noted that amidst the “uncertainty and insecurity all around,” the world’s young people are its “greatest source” of hope.
“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.
“This administration is not oblivious of the unique challenges of today’s world. Nonetheless, 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.
“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,” Hammond said.
Speaking on why they had the resolve to join the alliance, some of the champions expressed delight over the programme, saying it would be a great platform to engage with government.
A film maker and producer, Jumoke Odetola said, “I am passiinate about the project because it’s about humanity. It will be a project that will enrich lives. There is no way a society can move forward if people are not in the right frame of minds,” adding that it would provide opportunity to reset the mental capability of the youth.
Joshua Alade stated that with the alliance, he hopes to look back, after the programme and be happy over his experience
