Ogun first lady: More youth need to be involved in policy making

Bamidele Abiodun, wife of Ogun state governor, says there is need for more youth involvement in policy and decision making process.

At an event organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI) to mark this year’s International Youth Day, the first lady of Ogun said the fact that youths chalk up a significant part of the world’s population means they remain integral to nation building.

“We need more youths to be involved in policy formation, decision making processes in both public and private sectors across different industries and economy,” she said.

She, however, enjoined them to dissipate more energy into creating value to better their immediate environment and the world at large.

Also speaking, Onyinyechukwu Mbeledogu, national president of JCI in Nigeria, said this year’s edition of the annual event comes at time when youth are increasingly being faced by numerous challenges.

“We are meeting at a time of immense challenges to young people all across the world and particularly in Nigeria. Particularly, youth unemployment is still a major concern with reports showing more than 50 percent of the Nigeria youth population without job,” she said.

Mbeledogu said the JCI has continued to take several initiatives aimed at empowering and equipping youth in the country with requisite skills needed to grapple with the challenges.

On his part, Ronald Kayanja, director, United Nation information office, said institutions must think of new ways of engaging youth to ensure their relevance after the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event had in attendance Harriet Thompson, deputy British high commissioner and Clement Boutillier, who represented the European Union.