Enugu state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, Thursday, launched the Enugu State Youth Policy, assuring it’s implementation.
Governor Mbah emphasised they were not just presenting a document but were ” opening a new chapter in the collective journey of our young people towards empowerment, Innovation and leadership “.
Unveiling the Youth policy at the International Conference Centre (ICC)Enugu , Governor Mbah who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Culture, Llyord Ekweremadu, described young people in the state as the heartbeat of Enugu State.
He said, ‘They constitute the energy, creativity and vision that drive our development. Yet, for too long, their potential has been underutilized. This Youth Policy is our bold response to that challenge. It is a roadmap that captures the aspirations of our young people and aligns them with the developmental agenda of our dear State”.
Governor Mbah disclosed that “Enugu youth policy is the outcome of rigorous consultations, robust engagements, and collaborative efforts “.
He expressed the State government ‘s gratitude to Action Aid Nigeria, their development partner and principal funder, for it’s commitment and support throughout the process. He also appreciated the various Civil Society Organizations, youth-led groups, the research consultant, State government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Enugu State Chapter), for their contributions that enriched and shaped this policy. “Truly, this is a product of collective wisdom”, Governor Mbah said..
Speaking on the objectives of the policy, Governor Mbah said ,”anchored on the principles of inclusion, innovation, gender equity, participation, and accountability, the Enugu State Youth Policy seeks to address critical areas such as education and skills development, entrepreneurship and job creation, health and well-being, ICT and digital innovation, sports, civic engagement, leadership rights protection, peace and security, and multi-sectoral collaboration’.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Llyord Ekweremadu in his welcome address, said the policy was a journey of two years.” This bold policy is a cornerstone of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s visionary Tomorrow is agenda. The Governor has consistently affirmed that the youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today.
‘His administration has placed youth empowerment and development firmly at the core governance philosophy. Through this policy, his administration has provided a framework to equip our youth with the tools, opportunities, and platforms they need to thrive, innovate, and lead across every sector economy and society.
“My dear friends, the Enugu State Youth Policy is more than government’s commitment, it is a partnership with our youth. It is a declaration that their voices matter, their dreams are valid, and their contributions indispensable to the growth of our State
“As we unveil this policy today, I call on our youths to take ownership of it, to engage with it, and hold us accountable to its promises.”, Ekweremadu said.
He called on all stakeholders, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector actors, traditional and community leaders, to rally around the policy and help the state government turn it in
“Together, we can make Enugu State a place where our youth not only dream, but achieve, where they don’t only aspire, but inspire, and where they are not just seen as leaders of tomorrow, but as co-builders of today”, he said
Pix: Commissioner for Youth and sports, Llyord Ekweremadu
In his goodwill message, the Executive Director, South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) Dr. Stanley llechukwu, said the organisation believes that young people are not just leaders of tomorrow, they are the strength of today and that was why they gave their support when the process of developing the policy began.
“This policy encapsulates the voices of youths from across Enugu State-from Nnenna, a primary school teacher in Aninri, Uche a young farmer in Igbo Eze North, Chidinma a young tailor in Enugu South and countless others .This policy is their collective voice, woven into a vision that the State Government has now embraced,” Ilechukwu said
Pix’ Representative of Gov Mbah, LL XX ord Ekweremadu unveiling the Enugu Youth policy.
He thanked Enugu State Government for it’s commitment, their partners, ActionAids and other stakeholders for their support
The Executive Director assured that the SSDO will continue to support, advocate, and ensure that the policy does not gather dust, but gathers results.
On his part, the country Director of ActionAid Nigeria , Andrew Mamedi ,said ActionAid Nigeria had remained steadfast in their mission to work with people living in poverty and exclusion, with a strong focus on advancing the rights and aspirations of young people, women and marginalized groups.
“We believe that young people are not only leaders of tomorrow but change makers of today and that their voices, energy and innovation are central to building a just , inclusive and prosperous society.
Represented by the Head of Program,ActionAid, Nigeria, Celestine Odoh, the Country Director said the ,”Enugu Youth policy fully supported by ActionAid is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration between government, civil society and young people themselves. It provided a framework that prioritizes youth, development, empowerment and participation in governance, education, employment, climate actions , entrepreneurship, and social justice.
“This policy is not just a document but a commitment to harnessing the potential of young people as critical drivers of sustainable development in Enugu state
“As ActionAid Nigeria, we are proud to have contributed to this process and reaffirm our commitment to stand with the youth in Enugu state as they work to actualise the aspirations outlined in this policy . We encourage all stakeholders, government, institutions ,civil society, the private sector and development partners to work collectively to ensure it’s effective implementation,” he said.
The event was witnessed by youth drawn from different parts of the state, cutting across various sectors, ministries, Departments , Agencies, (education, health, Agriculture) among others .
Author: Maureen Ikpeama