Ambode charges youths to contribute to development of Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on youths across Lagos to make good use of several windows and opportunities provided for them by the state government to thrive and contribute their quota to their immediate environment.

Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. AbdullateefAbdulHakeem gave the charge while speaking at the 2017 International Youth Day Celebration with the theme, “Youths Building Peace; Challenges and the Way Forward” held in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

He said that unemployed youths in the State could apply into several vocational centres across the state and also get funded through the Employment Trust Fund initiated under the present administration in the State to make themselves self-reliant and be free from the shackle of manipulation by violent people in the society.

“I believe that youths are passionate, they are energetic and resourceful. You have to decide what you want to do. Take advantage of the opportunities before you.” the governor added.

He assured youths at the event that his administration would continually put together youth beneficial programmes and laudable initiatives for youths to excel and assist them develop their leadership qualities.

He advised youths to be creative, think differently and identify what their strengths were and pursue their goals relentlessly.

Representative of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa and Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, decried the long period of inactivity among Nigerian youth, saying that the youth of the country had slept for so long.

He attributed the period of docility among youths to non-recognition of their roles in nation building and their influence in bringing about positive changes

While saying that successful personalities across the world started the journey to stardom from their youthful age, Obasa called on youths to begin to take their rightful place, equip themselves with the needed skills, information and knowledge through concerted efforts, .

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, explained that the yearly event was designed to call attention of government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, academics, business institutions and other relevant stakeholders on the need to focus on young people, as important resources in community and nation building.

She said that the Ministry would not relent in mapping out strategies to enhance, develop and create opportunities to effectively utilize the potential of Youth for a better and rewarding future.

The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Social Development, Adedamola Richard Kasunmu said that the theme for the 2017 celebration “Youth Building Peace, challenges and way forward” was a call on youth to shift their focus from engaging in violence act and follow the path of peace

He added that the ‘Not Too Young to Run Bill’ now presents youths with ample opportunity to aspire for political offices, adding that it was time for Nigerian youths to advantage of the bill to contribute their quota to national development for the positive growth of Nigeria.

The celebration witnessed several presentations from youths, including dance presentation, panel discussion, cultural display, poetry, among others.