Commissioner For Youths Urges Partnership With The Ministry To Develop The Youths

The Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development Pharm Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf has said that people should partner with her ministry to build the Lagos youth as a model to youth in other sates in Nigeria and even in other countries of the world.

Speaking in Lagos during the 1st Youth Interactive Session themed: “Peace In The World The Role Of Lagos State Youth” she said that in a bid to promote peace among young people from different ethnic and educational background, the state has put in place an operational background plan that consists of various interactive programmes, livelihood vocational skills training in addition to the provision of youth centres for out-of-school learning and recreation.

“Today’s event demonstrates the determination of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to ensure effective youth inclusion , youth empowerment and youth development in the state.”

She expressed her profound appreciation to the governor for giving his unflinching support and interest in the implementation of the laudable programme to demonstrate his commitment to the development of youth in Lagos State in order to promote peace in the State and the county at large.

“According to John F Kennedy peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. We must realize that peace is a journey, not an end. Nations go to war, often quoting peace as the reason. Yet, in our efforts to obtain world peace, we often do things that are not peaceful things. We seek to enforce peace on others and rather than achieving peace, we create more problems for ourselves and others.”

She said that peace is a gift you can give to others and to oneself. If you seek peace with sincere heart, you can find it. Peace has the power to move mountains. Mahatma Gandhi had spread peace to the world and this was his power or else how could a frail man like him get India its freedom and Indians their rights.”

She said that sustainable development, peace and security are inextricably linked and young people are essential to the establishment of lasting security . “The media may portray youth especially young men, as a threat, they stand the chance of been used as elements for violence, hooliganism and conflict-making as we have seen such cases in countries where terrorism is the order of the day but the vast majority of youths are not violent.

“They can lead as champions of peace. The youths are vulnerable to these things because they don’t have the right education. They should be empowered and motivated to be change agents in our environment. They have the strength, mental alertness, speed, ideas and information necessary to create positive changes. The youths are a very important factor in peace and conflict resolution. Hence, the youth must be responsible enough to design their future based on their vision, she said.”