Stakeholders Advocate Youth Inclusion During Policy Formulation Process
By Olutola Daramola
For Government policies on Youths to achieve the desired outcome, it is imperative for this segment of the society to be included during formulation of policies that affect them.
This submission formed the basis of the Validation Workshop on Africa Youth Aspirations and Resilience Research Project, held in Ibadan and organised by Partnership for African Social and Governance Research PASGR, in collaboration with MasterCard Foundation.
The Principal Investigator of the Nigerian Team of the Research,Dr Babatunde Ojebuyi of the Department of Communication and Language Arts,University of Ibadan noted that Youths had many aspirations which were not met due to challenges confronting them.
Dr Ojebuyi identified barriers to Youth Aspirations in Nigeria to include; after effects of Covid-19,lack of access to opportunities and insecurity among others.
In his submission, Mr Joel Otieno who is the Programme Officer, Research and Policy,PASGR emphasised that Youths were central to unlocking the growth and development of Africa.
To this end, it was important to understand the perspectives of young people on dignified and fulfilling work as well as understanding their aspirations, resilience and adaptability. This is with a view to empowering them to achieve their potentials.
Mr Otieno said that against the belief in certain quarters, young people were industrious and ready to make something worthwhile of their lives .
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was represented at the event by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth Affairs,Mr Victor Olojede said Government was making efforts at making life better for the Youths.
He expressed the readiness of Oyo State Government to create more opportunities for the Youths to enable them realise their dreams.
Highlights of the Workshop was a Panel Discussion on Youthhood and had participants drawn from different youth segments of the society including Youths with disabilities and Youths in entrepreneurship.
The Youths who constitute a larger percentage of the population before now fell between the age bracket of 18 and 35 but now range between 15 and 40 according to a recent study using various parameters.
