From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, has called on Nigerian youths to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country through developmental initiatives capable of bringing desired transformation to the country.
Prof Fatusi who stated the youths are active participants in shaping the future, said the youths have enormous responsibilities to play for the overall good of the country.
The renowned medical expert and academic spoke at the launch of the Nigeria National Youth Index (NNYI) organized by the Strengthening Programming for Adolescents and Youths through Resource and Knowledge Generation and Link to Evidence (SPARKLE) held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Isaac Oluyi, in a statement released to newsmen quoted the Vice Chancellor as saying that the future of the country laid on the youths, hence the need for them to buckle up and define their future and that of the country.
His word: “Nigerian young people are not just beneficiaries of development, they are active participants in shaping the future. It is, therefore, imperative that we equip them with the necessary tools, opportunities and support systems to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
He assured that the insights from the Nigeria National Youth Index would guide stakeholders in identifying gaps, leveraging strengths and ensuring that no young person is left behind in the pursuit of national growth and prosperity.
The development of the NNYI was initiated and led by the SPARKLE project of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, with funding from the Ford Foundation.
Prof Fatusi informed that the NNYI is a policy-driven, practical and cost-effective approach to measuring and monitoring various dimensions of youth development in Nigeria, using available secondary data sets.
Speaking, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Olorunfemi Ogundele said: “The development of the first NNYI and its associated reports are the results of the collaborative efforts of several stakeholders within the youth development space in Nigeria, including academic institutions and researchers.”
He added that the NNYI offers an analysis of youth development in some of the critical areas specified in Nigeria’s National Youth Policy, including education, employment, health and well-being, as well as gender and social inclusion.
Dr Ogundele, in his presentation of the Nigeria National Youth Index, explained further: “By providing an overview of the state of youths in Nigeria, this report seeks to illuminate the path towards ensuring periodic and objective monitoring of youth development in Nigeria and to serve as a basis for advocating evidence-informed advocacy for more targeted and effective youth development interventions.”
The event also witnessed the unveiling of the logo for the fourth Nigeria Conference on Adolescent and Young People’s Health and Development organized by the Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN).
The conference tagged “Garden City 2025” is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt in August 2025.