By Chinwendu Obienyi
The Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN) has called on the Federal Government to seek ways to create structures that will foster innovation for adolescents and youth’s health.
According to SAYPHIN, this will help the youths to develop their potential and equip them with necessary skills for societal development.
The group made this known at the weekend in commemoration of International Youth Day and the launch of activities towards hosting the group’s third National Conference on Adolescent and Youth Health and Development EKO 2023, scheduled to hold in Lagos next year.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Medical Science, Ondo State and SAYPHIN National President, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, said the day signifies what the society needs to do to improve the lives of young people.
He added that the event aims at optimising young people to fulfill their potential and equip them with necessary skills while creating an environment to enable them to become their best version.
The keynote speaker at the symposium, Executive Director of Action Health Incorporated Adenike Essiet noted that young people bring many changes to the table and are blessed with optimism.
She said the commemoration is an attempt to draw attention to issues that affect youth development and opportunities to prosper.
“Specifically, this year’s theme is around ‘intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages’ presents a great opportunity for actors in this field and young people to recognise the importance of building solidarity, understanding and willingness to help one another for the good of all.
Young people have the advantage of fresh and creative ideas, energy and ability to work for success and it is important that adults acknowledge this. In the very same way the young people need to recognise the resources that older people bring to the table,” Essiet said.
She called on the government to focus on education, not limited to an institution but ensuring everyone has an enabling environment to learn.
For his part, permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, said that young people face challenges that can compromise their health and development potential if not properly addressed.
According to him, one of the most important commitments a country can make for its economic, social and political progress is to address their health and development needs, noting that some factors that impact development of adolescents include social media, urbanisation, unhealthy diets, armed conflicts, climate change and migration.