CSO tasks governments to prioritise youth development programmes

Grace Attah, project lead, Being Young In Naija (BYIN), a youth advocacy initiative, has called on governments and private organisations to prioritise youth development programmes. 

BYIN project was launched in September 2020 by the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM) and implemented by Chioma Chuka Consulting Services Limited (CCCSL) under the Work in Progress (WiP) alliance.

Speaking over the weekend at a media briefing in Abuja, Attah said there is a need for increased youths engagement across all sectors to provide them with opportunities for job creation.

“The project is meant to amplify young Nigerian voices, highlight their experiences, challenges & opportunities available to them,” she said.

“It also underscores the critical need to engage government stakeholders on youth-oriented policies via collaborations with youth-led bodies, key national agencies & policymakers to achieve tangible global action.

“In response to illuminating outcomes from phase one, we decided to upscale campaign activities to build upon previous work & expand the Being Young in Naija conversations. We hope to create structures to enhance youth and state engagements via key stakeholder partnerships targeting organisations with a youth-centric focus.

“As part of our commitment to fulfilling these objectives, we are joining forces with youth activists and youth-led organisations to promote strategies to foster youth development. We hope that created structures will spur all stakeholders concerned to deliver on the national youth policy (NYP) promises through this partnership.

The national youth policy (2019-2023) has stipulated priorities, policy directions and practical support to develop young Nigerians. It indicates the readiness of the Nigerian government and its people to meet the needs and aspirations of the youth and seek solutions to their problems.

With five clear strategic development areas, Attah said the NYP’s goal is to provide an appropriate framework that protects the fundamental human rights of all youth, promotes overall development.

“You will all agree there is a need for increased youth engagement across several sectors in our nation. It is therefore imperative to provide them with opportunities via job creation and development programmes. 

Evidence shows that Nigerian youth are amongst the most enterprising globally, using their skills to drive positive change and create value in their communities,” she added.

“However, their skills are often underutilised as they mostly remain cut off from opportunities, the needed support, and encouragement to contribute to nation-building & development. The NYP addresses these gaps. Its complete implementation ensures that young people and the entire nation can stand a chance of an assured future.

The project lead asked government agencies and relevant stakeholders to dedicate more resources to youth development programmes, in line with the NYP.