The honourable member representing Okitipupa Constituency I at Ondo State House of Assembly, Chris Ayebusiwa, has re-echoed the need for youth engagement in the interest of national development.

Ayebusiwa said this on Thursday while delivering a lecture at Adeyemi Federal University of Education (AFUED), Ondo, on the topic “Enhancing Legislative Effectiveness through Youth Engagement”

Represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Mr Kehinde Akinyemi, he noted: “The need for youth engagement is all important and can this can be done by empowering young people to take ownership of their lives and communities, fostering leadership, skills, and knowledge development, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and representation, driving social change, innovation, and progress, enhancing decision-making processes with fresh perspectives

“By engaging in these areas, young people can become active citizens, agents of change, and contributors to a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable society. Enhancing legislative effectiveness through youth engagement involves empowering young people to participate in the democratic process and influence policy decisions.”

Ayebusiwa listed the strategies for achieving youth engagement to include civic education which will provide comprehensive education and training programs for equipping youth with knowledge and skills to engage in the legislative process; public engagement initiatives through town hall meetings, public forums, and social media campaigns to encourage youth to share their perspectives and ideas; internships and fellowships that offer opportunities for young people to work with legislators, policymakers, or advocacy groups to gain hands-on experience, youth-led advocacy groups: Support and amplify the work of youth-led organizations focused on specific policy issues.

“By implementing these strategies, legislative bodies can tap into the energy, creativity, and perspectives of young people, leading to more inclusive, effective, and responsive governance.” He said.