Group seeks establishment of office of youth defender in Lagos

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, said it would propose a bill for the establishment of the Office of the Youth Defender in the state.

Its Chairman, Mr Biliamin Oba, said this in an interview on Friday in Lagos.

Oba said the body would function like the already established Office of the Public Defender (OPD) with special focus on providing free legal assistance and advise to youths in the state.

He said: “Already we have a concept which is the youth defender that is like OPD.

“We want them to establish an Office of the Youth Defender whereby as a youth, when you have issues that have to do with law enforcement you can easily get legal assistance.”

Oba said the youth council in Lagos State recently organised town hall meetings across the three senatorial districts where they listened to the yearnings of the youth.

“What we have been able to do is to compile all these positions at the various senatorial districts and have sent them to the appropriate quarters.

“Part of the resolution of the senatorial meeting is that Lagos State needs to have Lagos State Youth Charter Rights.

“There is need for us to have a charter that clearly informs the youth of their rights, which is published in a handbook and available to everyone.

“We are trying to do a bill that will pass through the Lagos State House of Assembly to that effect,” he said.

Oba said the protection of the economic and social rights of youths would help to curb restiveness and crime in the state.

He, however, advised youths to change their perception of politics in the country by becoming more active in the political space in order to protect their interests.