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| international youth day |
Stakeholders have emphasized the urgent need to address the vulnerabilities faced by adolescents and young people in Nigeria.
This call to action was made in a statement on Sunday by Bolanle Oyeledun, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Integrated Health Programmes.
The statement highlighted, “Adolescence is a critical stage of life marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes. In Nigeria, adolescents and young people encounter numerous challenges, including high rates of HIV and other infectious diseases, mental health issues, substance abuse, and limited access to reproductive health services.”
According to the World Health Organization, adolescence, which spans ages 10 to 19, is a unique phase of human development and a crucial period for establishing the foundations of good health.
“Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth, which influences how they feel, think, make decisions, and interact with the world around them. Despite being considered a healthy stage of life, there is significant death, illness, and injury during adolescence, much of which is preventable or treatable. During this phase, adolescents establish behavior patterns—related to diet, physical activity, substance use, and sexual activity—that can either protect their health or put it at risk now and in the future,” the UN body stated.
The statement also announced that a fourth scientific roundtable on sustainable interventions for adolescent vulnerabilities will be held on Thursday in Abuja. This event aims to discuss sustainable strategies to address the challenges faced by this critical demographic.
Stakeholders will focus on identifying sustainable strategies to empower adolescents through education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), vocational training, and leadership programs.
“Participants will also explore the role of technology in enhancing health interventions and promoting mental well-being among young people. The event aims to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to address the needs of adolescents and young people. It is anticipated that the discussions will lead to concrete action plans and partnerships to improve the lives of young Nigerians.”
The roundtable invites participation from government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, youth representatives, researchers, and other key stakeholders committed to the well-being of adolescents and young people.
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