The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Martins Esin, spoke at the beginning of a two-day Inaugural Retreat for committee members in Lagos.
The retreat was organized by Yiaga Africa, a non-profit group funded by the European Union, which promotes democracy, human rights, and civic participation.
Esin emphasized the importance of the gathering, highlighting the need to focus on youth development in Nigeria.
He stressed that the youth are crucial for the country’s future and it’s the responsibility of leaders and policymakers to ensure they have the support and opportunities to thrive.
He praised Yiaga Africa for its dedication to promoting capacity building, governance, and youth inclusion.
Esin stated that the retreat would provide lawmakers with a chance to discuss and strategize on how to harness the potential of the youth.
Representing a constituency in Akwa Ibom, Esin explained that the retreat aimed to find innovative ways to drive the committee’s activities, especially considering the economic challenges facing the country.
He mentioned the importance of addressing youth empowerment and unemployment effectively.
Esin also highlighted the need to amplify youth voices in policy-making processes and explore partnerships with NGOs to expand the committee’s impact.
He posed questions about how to ensure equitable access to education and resources for marginalized youth and how to measure the effectiveness of the committee’s initiatives.
He expressed the committee’s commitment to prioritizing youth interests and aspirations, emphasizing the need for collective action from various stakeholders.
In a goodwill message, Rep. Joseph Adegbesan encouraged Nigerian youths to remain focused on achieving their goals.
Another committee member, Rep. Marcus Onobun, praised Yiaga Africa for its advocacy for youth betterment.
Samuel Oguche, Coordinator of Yiaga Africa Center for Legislative Engagement, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in sustainable development.
He stressed the challenges faced by youths today and the need for partnership and support for the committee’s mandate.
Oguche outlined the objectives of the retreat, including discussions on youth development, legislative oversight, and the role of technology.
Technical sessions covered topics such as the overview of the House Committee on Youth Development and effective legislative oversight on youth development in Nigeria.
