By Labaran Tijani, Lokoja.
Kogi House of Assembly has passed a Bill for a Law to provide for the Establishment of Youth Development Commission, Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and other matters connected therewith, 2018.
The bill that was passed into law at yesterday plenary is among the five passed after their third and final reading following clause-clause considerations in a Committee of the Whole.
The bills passed includes, a Bill for a Law to make provisions for the Establishment of Celuke College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ojiapata, 2018 and A Bill for a Law to Establish “Kogi State Primary Care Development Agency and other matters connected therewith, 2018, a Bill for a Law to Establish Kogi State Sports Trust Fund and other matters connected therewith, 2018 as well as a Bill for a Law to Repeal and Renact the Law Establishing Kogi State University, Anyigba, 2018 and the Youth Commission Development bill.
The House Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports, Judiciary, Justice, Legal Matters and Protocol, Mohamed Lawi(APC Okene 1)presented the report on the Youth Commission Development bill and lead the debate at the plenary.
Hon. Lawi-Ahmed stated that the Law would provide the legal framework for the establishment of Youth Development Commission and provide for implementation of policies for youth empowerments.
In the same vein, Ahmed Mohammed (APC-Ankpa I), Deputy Majority Leader of the House who sponsored the private member bill, said the bill would provide sustainable policy guide for youth activities in the state.
The Lawmaker described the bill as a necessary tool for youth development, stressing that the New Direction administration of Governor Yahaya Bello was on course in the direction of youth inclusion and involvement in governance.
Hon. Mohammed said that the bill had its first reading on March 6, and the second reading on April 18, and had its public hearing from where inputs of relevant stakeholders were articulated and considered.
Also speaking, Mr Okwutepa Oseni, Executive Director, Voice of Youths Initiative and Coordinator, Kogi Youth Advocacy Cluster on the Youth Development Commission bill said there was need for sustainable policy for youth development.
According to Oseni, empowered by the law, the youth Commission, as a legally established independent and recognised institution, would help to create jobs and increase economic development opportunities for youths in the state.
He expressed his gratitude to ActionAid Nigeria and Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) for their support and commitment which added force to the passage of the bill at the state House of Assembly .
