Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has called on government at all levels, nongovernmental organisations (NGOS) and other stakeholders in the health sector to work together on strategies that will help young people deal with depression.
Obaseki made the call when he received members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) representing Edo State, at Government House in Benin City. He stressed that it was time governments gave serious thought to the issues and aspirations of youths as they form about 70 percent of the nation’s population.
“Depression among young people is an issue we have not really focused on as we should. It is something we should highlight and get the various agencies of government; ministry of health and NGOS and other actors in the health sector, to look at how we can help young people who are depressed in the society, more so, now that it is becoming a problem among youths.”
He listed other problems that require similar attention as; unemployment, irregular migration and access to quality education, urging the Youth Parliament to articulate their issues and present them as bills that could be passed into laws.
He noted that his administration was working to create an enabling environment where youths can realise their full potential through skills acquisition and job creation programmes.
“We are creating jobs in Edo State, but we need to expand these job opportunities especially in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and entrepreneurship.
“We are also creating access to good education especially technical and vocational education.”
He noted that his administration was ready to support and work with youths to mitigate their challenges, and advised them to redefine the way youths are perceived in the society.
Earlier, the leader of the team, representing Edo in NYP, Daniel Uwadiae, said they were collaborating with the state and NGOS to curb illegal migration.
“We are collaborating with the existing structures we have in the state such as Edojobs, to promote acquisition of skills and entrepreneurship among Edo youths,” he said.
Uwadiae added that the delegation would help mobilise youths across the local government councils in the state to help alleviate the challenges posed by flooding in some parts of the state.
Similarly, the Edo State Skills Development Agency (Edojobs) in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has concluded plans to commence free capacity building programmes in welding and fabrication, furniture-making, auto-gele and beauty care, interlocking blocks production, among others, across various locations in the state.
Senior special assistant to the Governor on Job Creation and Skills Development, Ukinebo Dare, said the training would hold in Benin City, Auchi, Ekpoma and Agbede, noting that the skills development programmes promoted by the state government are aimed at building a skilled workforce in the state.
According to Dare, “We have entered into a partnership with ITF to train Edo residents in various technical skills that are in high demand. The people are going to be picked from the various localities where the trainings are being held.
“The training is also geared at building the right mix of experts that would work in the Production Center in Benin and the ones to be established in Edo North and Edo Central. The training entails welding and fabrication for six months;furniture-making for six months; auto-gele and beauty care for a month, interlocking tiles production for six months and Catering and Event Management for three months.”
