‘Sexual harassment, street truancy, others fuelling social vices’

Lagos State Government has identified sexual harassment, street truancy and depression as factors fuelling social vices among youths within the Lagos Island axis.

These were the findings of needs assessment research of the Lagos Island region, conducted by Lagos State Government-Lagos Island Connect (LASG-LIC), which was disclosed at the first Lagos Island Economic Summit held yesterday.

Special Adviser, Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investment, Solape Hammond, said there was need to address such vices.

He said that the level of investments in the youths would determine the pace of social-economic growth and development, as well as the security of the society.

According to her, it is imperative that the state provides the youths with necessary skills, training and access to resources needed to enable them reach their goals in life.

Hammond said the summit aims to provide relevant and deeper understanding of future challenges, insights and proposals on sustainable economic growth.

She said it would also create an opportunity for every key stakeholder to connect and identify challenges, proffer potential solutions and share resources and innovations to engrain the status of the state as the real Centre of Excellence, both in word and deeds.

Co-Founder, LIC, Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, urged youths to focus on self-development, which she said, would result in sociological and psychological growth.

On his part, former Deputy Governor of the state, Femi Pedro, urged the governor and office of the SDGs to rejuvenate the Island complex into a technology hub.

Also, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, said there was no better way to reach the grassroots than through the communities.

She, however, urged youths to eliminate distractions and commit to building relationships that would be instrumental in informing them of available opportunities.