Youth inclusion in policy process solution to poor GYDI, says NDI

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has identified consistent involvement and inclusion of youths in policy formulation, implementation and collaboration among government agencies, as a solution to Nigeria’s poor Global Youth Development Index (GYDI).

Nigeria ranked 141^st in the 2016 GYDI, 156^th in health and wellbeing, 157^th in education, 158^th in employment opportunity, 33^rd in civic participation and 47^th in political participation.

The country also came 36^th among 49 Commonwealth countries surveyed in the report.

But Senior Resident Director, NDI, Aubrey McCutcheon, told the Quarterly Policy Dialogue of the Kaduna Youth Agenda (KYA) that Nigeria could improve its GYDI by involving youth below the age of 35 in governance across the three tiers of government.

He said this could be achieved, especially in policy formulation and implementation to make them relevant through the provision of leadership training.

Addressing the KYA, which focuses on education, healthcare, agriculture, jobs creation and peacebuilding, Aubrey said, “Its good to come up with areas of focus. You have seen where Nigeria did well in civic and political participation and where Nigeria performed poorly in employment and opportunity, education, health and general wellbeing.

Executive Director, One Project Afrika, Mrs. Zigwai Ayuba, said a survey conducted in 2018 in the 23 council areas of Kaduna State on 6,610 young people, 85 per cent of them picked education, healthcare, agriculture, jobs creation and peace building, as the areas where they want improvement for their development.

Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Aminu Shagali, who was represented by the Minority Whip, Samuel Ubantako, assured One Project Afrika of the Kaduna Assembly’s support.

“We will assist in making laws to boost youth development in Kaduna State. The House will not hesitate to support our youths with laws to make them self-reliant, independent, committed and entrepreneurial,” he said.

Programme Officer, One Project Africa, Venatius Asogo, advocated issue-based campaigns, increased youth participation and peaceful elections, adding: “Kaduna youths also collated their priority needs to engage the elected government officials in post-election period.”