From Esther Akaa, Lafia
ActionAid Nigeria has called for the immediate revival and passage of the Nasarawa Youth Development Commission Bill, which had passed the 2nd reading in the 6th Assembly but could not scale through the final reading.
The Programme Coordinator, Systems and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalization to Violent Extremism (SARVE 3) project of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Aliyu Adamu, made the call on Tuesday when the organization visited the Speaker of the Nasarawa House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, to seek his support on the bill.
Adamu explained that the call became necessary considering his organization’s efforts towards ending poverty and youth restiveness in Nasarawa State.
According to him, the Youth Development Bill is not just another piece of legislation but a crucial and timely initiative designed to address the pressing issues of youth restiveness, unemployment, and lack of opportunities that our young people face daily.
He said, “By establishing a Youth Development Commission, this bill aims to create jobs, empower our youth, and reposition Nasarawa State as the youth hub of the nation.
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“ActionAid is leveraging experiences and successes seen in her work and other partners in Kogi and Benue, where similar bills have been passed, and is currently demonstrating the transformative impact such legislation can have.
“The passage of the bill in Nasarawa will provide a legal framework for effective youth empowerment initiatives, ensuring our young people are engaged in productive activities, thereby reducing poverty and preventing violent extremism.
This bill is crucial for addressing youth restiveness, unemployment, and a lack of opportunities in our state. By passing this bill, you will demonstrate your commitment to the future of Nasarawa’s youth, creating a legal framework that will provide them with the opportunities they need to thrive and contribute positively to society.
“The youth of Nasarawa are looking to their leaders for support, guidance, and opportunities. By revisiting and passing this bill, the Assembly will be taking a significant step towards securing a brighter future for our youth and, by extension, for our entire state.”
Adamu, while commending the proactive efforts of the State House of Assembly in considering this bill in the past, urged the 7th Assembly to prioritize it once more in order to ensure its passage into law.
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He also appealed to the State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, to assent to the bill and ensure its implementation when it was finally passed by the lawmakers.
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Danladi Jatau, described youths as the pillars of the nation, pledging the support of the State Assembly to enact laws that will address their needs.
“I am a youth advocate and have been supporting youths in my constituency because they are the backbone of every society; thus, they must have a place in governance,” he said.
Jatau expressed sadness that the bill for the establishment of the Nasarawa Youth Development Commission, which was initiated by the former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Nehemiah Tse-Tsen Dandaura, could not scale through the 3rd reading during the last Assembly.
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The Speaker, however, assured that the Chairman of the of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, will take over the bill to enable its passage into law.
He assured that the bill would be assented to by Governor Abdullahi Sule, whom he described as a youth-friendly governor, when it was finally passed into law.
On his part, the Chairman of the of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Isimbabi, who commended the youths for their resilience amidst challenges, assured them of his commitment to revive the bill to enable its passage.
ActionAid Nigeria had earlier implemented the SARVE 2 Project in the state with funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) to prevent violent extremism in the state.