Lagos govt backs youth safety, emergency initiative

Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champion initiative launched by NYCN Lagos to strengthen grassroots emergency response across the state

The Lagos State Government has commended the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, for launching a youth-driven safety initiative aimed at strengthening emergency response across the state.

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The initiative, tagged Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champion (LYSEC), was inaugurated during the Lagos Youth Talk Series 2.0 as part of efforts to complement the activities of security and emergency-response agencies.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, described the programme as timely, noting that Lagos’s growing population has brought increased safety and emergency challenges.

Oyerinde, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Tobi Oladepo, said the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES PLUS Agenda.

He highlighted the state government’s investments in emergency management infrastructure, including a technology-driven Command and Control Centre, strengthened response agencies and the Light Up Lagos project, which he said has enhanced security and improved night-time movement across the state.

“The theme of this talk is apt, as one of our main focuses this year is to actively engage our youths and solicit their cooperation in advocacy and sensitisation before, during and after emergency situations,” Oyerinde said, expressing confidence that the safety champions would boost grassroots emergency response.

The LYSEC initiative, under the leadership of Adigun Ibrahim, draws participants from the council’s 57 local branches and youth-based organisations across Lagos’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

In his welcome address, Adigun said the safety champions would serve as “a watchdog, an early-warning mechanism, and a first-line community network” to help prevent and manage safety issues at the grassroots.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the initiative as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to youth inclusiveness under the THEMES PLUS Agenda, stressing that safety and security remain a collective responsibility.

The Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Moyosore Adebanjo, alongside representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, delivered goodwill messages at the event.

A key highlight of the programme was the presentation of the LYSEC operational framework to government officials, security agencies and other stakeholders.

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One of the newly inaugurated champions from Isolo, Monsur Aregbe, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve, pledging to justify the confidence reposed in him and contribute meaningfully to enhancing safety and emergency response in his community.

Quadri Olaitan