ActionAid makes case for speedy passage of Nassarawa Youth Bill

ActionAid Nigeria has called for the speedy passage of Nasarawa Youth Bill, stating that it will provide a framework for structured youth engagement.

The Country Director, Ene Obi, stated this during an Advocacy Roundtable Discussion on Nasarawa Youth Development Commission Bill (NYDCB) with the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Members in Abuja on Friday.

The Country Director who was represented by the Director, Organisational Effectiveness, ActionAid, Funmilayo Oyefusi further said if established it will also strengthen the state government’s efforts and those of other development partners in ensuring that Nasarawa state youth receive all the necessary political and policy backing to engender their continued role in governance.

She said it will thereby address all basic social vises that makes youth vulnerable to radicalisation and violent extremism has called for the  speedy passage of the Nasarawa Youth Bill saying that it would address social vices in the state.

She said the future of Nasarawa state was dependent on the actualisation and realisation of the bill.

She said that the Nasarawa Youth Development Commission Bill had gone through the first reading before the floor of the house.

“Nasarawa State Youth today, require a legal framework for proper engagement, empowerment, and development, more than ever.

“Overtime, there have been series of continued effort by government and other development partners in carrying out various youth empowerment and development initiates in Nasarawa State.

“This has however not been structured or monitored closely for effectiveness and efficiency, given lack of political will to drive the process,” she said .

Also, the Resilience Programme Coordinator, ActionAid , Mr Anicetus Atakpu, explained that the organisation embarked on the project in two states of Kogi and Nasarawa State to help youths find their track.

According to him project, running in six Local Government Areas (LGA) of Nasarawa state to include Toto, Nasarawa, Akwanga, Nasarawa Egon, Lafia and Obi would address human security in conflict and emergency area of the organisation’s plan

On the opportunities, Atakpu further explained that it gives the establishment of technical schools across each senatorial district which is a big win for everyone because illiteracy is not all about been educated in western education but also one’s ability to utilise the skills.

While reacting, the Deputy Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Nehemiah Dandaura said if the commission bill is signed into law, it will cut down lots of these issues and also relieve the youth sector from unemployment.

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