The Borno State chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in collaboration with Plan International, has solicited for the setup of youths’ Commission and passage of disability rights bill into law.
According to NYCN’s Communique, the Commission can make it flexible to the State government in relating with development partners to address young people’s problems.
The Youths Charter of Demands, is funded by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with Plan International Nigeria.
The Commission and disability rights bill were made, yesterday (Monday), to mark United Nations (UN) International Youth Day (IYD) in Maiduguri.
“We demand for the growth of every youth by ensuring our rights with the provisions and protection of welfare,” said the communique, adding that youths be included with deliberate equality schemes in the state.
Besides youths’ rights, the communique stated: “The National Youth Policy comprises people between the age of 18 and 29; but today (Monday) we recognize our reality with a standing solidarity,” adding that they included young people between the age bracket of 18 and 35 and senior citizens.
The communique, singed by Tanimu Tahir, the youths’ leader, lamented that the 13-year terrorism and kidnappings has created heavy burdens on youths, comprising women, children and the elderly.
He said that this was as a result of their exclusion through cultural limitation, political barriers and other societal norms.
While recognizing the State government schemes and initiatives, he added that women and youths be integrated into the development process.
“There is an increase in youth unemployment which has led to low productivity and efficiency in the various sectors of the economy,” he warned, noting that this is despite the contributions of youths in the development process in their communities.
Continued: “We’re limited by the socio-cultural factors that marginalized most of our youths in the 27 Local Government Areas.
According to him, the high rate of insecurity in the state has prevented women, girls and youths from participating in the development process.
Tahir, therefore, recommended that the Borno State Youths Commission (BOYC) be set up to ensure youth inclusion in socio-economic development.
Other recommendations include the establishment and encouragement of community policing and youth volunteering in communities along with Governor Babagana Zulum signing of the Disability Rights Bill into law.
Besides, the Council added that there should also be the establishment of youth peace and governance dialogue platforms in each of the 27 Councils.
