By Abujah Racheal
A non-governmental organisation, Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS), has called on the Federal Government to address the devastating effect of floods across the country and brainstorm to chart a way forward to prevent future occurrence.
The executive director, YOSPIS, Ms. Zainab Ahmad made the call in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
“A costed five-year strategic plan should be developed on flooding and other devastating, environmental occurrences, including how to improve drainage systems and refuse and waste disposals across the country,” she said.
Also, the organisation called on the state government and all the states’ gubernatorial candidates in the forthcoming general elections to massively invest in young people, as well as financial resources and capital.
“Invest in young people through job-creation, capacity-building and massive investment in entrepreneurship, apprenticeship and internship and support them with seed grants for micro, small and medium-scale businesses.
“Create and sustain strategic official and senior seats and positions in government – as well as in the private sector – for young people to support governance and leadership in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and to use their skills to address the challenges of youths in the country.”
She said that YOSPIS aims to improve the lives of youths and women of reproductive age by promoting their social well-being through empowerment campaigns and direct service delivery.
“Youths constitute the highest percentage of the total population in the country but not much is put in place to improve the quality of their lives – basic health requirements, literacy and capacity-building skills etc – in the urban and rural communities.”
She said over the years, YOSPIS has consistently responded to the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, social, sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, increasing maternal and child mortality etc.
Ahmed said her organisation has involved young people in community mobilisation and awareness-creation individually and in groups, to improve their stand in their respective communities across the country.
