International Youth Day: FG urged to pay attention to youth development

Lagos – As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate the UN International Youth Day, the Federal Government has been advised to pay more attention to youth development.

Mr Uche Udungwor, President, Youth Development and Empowerment Foundation (YODEF), an NGO, gave the advice in Lagos on Sunday in an interview .

NAN reports that the UN has set aside Aug. 12 of every year to mark the International Youth Day.

“If the society can put in place necessary structures that would aid the development of youths in the country, it would help in advancing their cause,” Udungwor,said.

He said that YODEF has presented a series of memoranda to the government with a view to enhancing youth development in the country.

“Some of the suggestions we have presented before the government include making treasury looting a capital offence, so as to reduce the rate of crime in the country.

“If these people are given capital punishment for looting public funds, it would serve as a deterrent to others and rub off on the youths,” he said.

He urged leaders to be good role models the youth could look up to and emulate in the society.

“The youth is an integral part of the society and they look up to and take cue from the elders.

“They are very dynamic and vulnerable and if they are not guided they will tilt towards the negative,” said the youth leader.

The NGO boss advised youths against being used for violence, and shun criminal activities in order to earn the trust of the people.

“A lot of youths can be lured into committing all sorts of atrocities due to poverty; therefore, they need to be educated against engaging in the ills of the society

“It is very important that they understand that the future of the nation is in their hands and they should do their utmost best to preserve it,” he said. (NAN)