The government has been urged to include the youths in developmental policies for sustainable economic growth. Associate Professor, Nosiru Onibon, stated this in his speech, tagged: ‘Youth Inclusiveness in National Development,’ at the third edition of Epe Division Community Annual Award (EDCAA), organised by Concerned Nation Builders Initiative (CNI), held at Lagos Theatre, Epe.
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The awards were separated into two categories, the online winners and the special recognition awardees, which were drawn from Epe Local Council, Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, Ibeju-Lekki LG and Lekki LCDA respectively.
  
Onibon said the doom of any nation depends on how productive the youths are, noting that their productivity will turn around the country’s fortune.
  
Onibon added that any developmental policy that doesn’t include the youth wouldn’t last long, adding that the engine room of the development of any nation is the youths, saying they should be included in the country’s developmental policy and project.
  
He said: “The youth constitutes the majority of the population of the country and we cannot, but include them in developmental policy, plans and projects. The World Bank indicates that Nigeria’s population is at 2017million and of that figure, 70 per cent is within the ages of 15 and 45.

This means that the most vibrant and energetic aspect of our growth as a nation belongs to that category. It will be a great disservice to the nation, if the youths are not included in the country’s development plan, whether on paper, or during implementation.”
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“To have a vibrant youth, there is a need for the government to provide qualitative and accessible education. There should be a provision to assist the indigent youths that are passionate about education.”  

Speaking on ‘Capacity Building and Networking for the advancement of Epe Division,’ Chief Iyabo Osifeso, who was the Mother of the Day, urged youths to be innovative and skillful to meet up with societal demands.

“There is a need for youths to continue to build their capacity and also engage in training and retraining to be good at whatever they are doing.”

The Director-General of CNI, Idris Tele Olukoya, said the nominees for the online polls are distinguished personalities, who stood out in their various capacities in serving the community as duly noticeable by all which earn them the awards.

“The purpose of this award is not to appall anyone but to encourage our people to look back and give back to the community/division that they hail from.

“Also, the recognition awardees are personalities that have in one way or the other built the community to enviable height through their various physical projects and community impact schemes. These individuals have something essential in common- they love and enjoy selfless services and do their best to serve their division and society at large.”
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