Baby factories endanger vulnerable youth, says minister

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, yesterday described the frequent cases of baby-factories in some parts of the country as the worst form of crime and wickedness ever visited on hapless youth in Nigeria.

The development, according to the minister, arises from the failure of past leaders to adequately invest in youth, make them self-reliant and giving them skills that can enhance their self-esteem.

He pledged that the current government would use legal, institutional and enforcement instruments to fight the scourge.Dalung made this observation yesterday, at the Abuja office of the Country Representative of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Mrs. Ratidzai Ndhlovu during a courtesy visit in fulfillment of the pledge he made to the Country Representative of UNFPA some months back when she paid a similar visit to the minister.

The minister who commended UNFPA for its commitment in developing the youth through its well-tailored programmes on health, capacity building and youth entrepreneurship development also described the Agency as a long-standing partner whose relationship as development partner has been beneficial to his ministry. He solicited for continuation and further deepening of the symbiotic relationship.

The minister who decried the current “silos approach to issue of youth development” used the occasion to call for synergy, collaboration and cooperation among the various ministries and agencies handling youth-related programmes in order to achieve more effectiveness and better results.

He therefore called for proper coordination of the different youth intervention programmes like Youth in Agriculure, You Win Programme to be situated in the Ministry of Youth and Sports being the focal ministry for better results.

According to him such arrangement will give the youth easier access, promote cross-fertilization of ideas and provide a good database for students, researchers and public administrators.

Dalung also called for adequate investment in our youth by governments across board, corporate bodies, well-to-do individuals, as well as development partners; saying their neglect today is tantamount to cultivate fertile ground for increased crimes and anti-social behaviours in the future.
To him “investment in infrastructure development without a correspondent investment in the youth is being penny wise and pound foolish.”

Mrs. Ratidzai Ndhlovu while welcoming the minister acknowledged that Dalung is the first minister to visit the office; an attestation of the seriousness he attaches to government/ private partnership in youth development.

She elaborated on UNFPA activities and support programmes in Nigeria and solicited for continued partnership with the Ministry in the implementation of ICPD beyond 2014 Agenda.

Ndhlovu also advocated a coordinated approach that will bring all development partners and government Ministries and Agencies involved in different aspects of youth affairs together for better synergy and networking.

She said her experience on the job has shown that part of the problem is that youth capabilities to national development are underestimated; saying youth have always excelled whenever they are given access to contribute in any sphere of development.