joshua
ActionAid lauds Assembly as Nasarawa Youth Development Bill scales 1st reading
Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi presenting the Nasarawa Youth Development Commission Bill
From Esther Akaa, Lafia
A bill seeking for a law to provide for the establishment of Nasarawa State Youth Development Commission; Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and Other Matters Connected Therewith, has passed first reading at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
The current assembly reviewed the bill which was first raised during the 6th assembly after an advocacy visit to the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi ( (APC Toto/Gadabuke Constituency) recently in Lafia by ActionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation and the Nasarawa Youth Advocacy Cluster.
During the visit, the groups advocated for the revival of the bill and its subsequent passage into law saying it will address challenges young people were facing in the state.
Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi presented the reviewed bill to the House during its plenary on Wednesday in Lafia.
Presenting the bill, the lawmaker said the Nasarawa Youth Development Commission Bill if passed into law will create job opportunities for the youths.
He said it will also stimulate economic growth by attracting donor agencies that are willing to come and invest to support the youths.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau therefore committed the bill for consideration at the floor and was seconded by the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba (PDP, Obi 2 ).
The Speaker, therefore slated 14th of October, 2024 for the bill’s second reading.
Speaking in an interview with Grassroots Parrot, the Programme Coordinator, Systems and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE 3) project of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr Aliyu Adamu lauded the assembly for revisiting the bill and passing it for first reading.
According to Adamu, ActionAid Nigeria, was committed for the eradication of youth poverty and youth restiveness in the state and was in support of the Youth Development Commission’s Bill’s revival and subsequent passage.
He disclosed that the bill had previously reached the public hearing stage in the 6th assembly.
” It is 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. 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.
” The passage of the bill in Nasarawa will provide a legal framework for effective youth empowerment initiatives, ensuring that our young people are engaged in productive activities, thereby reducing poverty and preventing violent extremism.
“The youth of Nasarawa are looking up 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 youths and, by extension, for our entire state,” he said.
He commended the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon. Danladi Jatau and the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Isimbabi for the reintroduction of the bill and urged other lawmakers to support it see the light of the day.
Also speaking, the spokesperson of Nasarawa Youth Advocacy Cluster, Mr Musa Danka, said the review and reintroduction of State Youth Development Commission Bill and its subsequent passage of first reading at the state assembly plenary was a right step in the right direction.
Danka commended the 7th Assembly particularly the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau and Hon. Isibambi for ensuring the reintroduction of the bill and passage into first reading.
“This bill was considered by the 6th Assembly to the stage of public hearing, unfortunately it was abandoned but we are confident that the 7th Assembly will do it differently this time.
“We are therefore appealing to all members of the 7th Assembly give this bill the necessary support and speedy passage because of its importance not just to the younger generation but the state at large.
“I want to sincerely thank ActionAid Nigeria for their relentless effort in supporting the process and ensuring the actualisation of the commission,” he said.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the support of ActionAid for the establishment of the State Youth Development Commission is in pursuance of the SARVE project earlier implemented in the state with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF).
