PRIORITIZING THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF NIGERIAN YOUTH

 

Young people form a significant population group in terms of demographic parameter and are a unique population in terms of characteristics as a result of their developmental processes. They face unique challenges, some of which may compromise their health and development potentials if not well addressed. Since young people represent the future of the country, one of the most important commitments a country can make for future economic, social and political progress is to address their health and well-being.  

  Youths as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) refer to people between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Young people form a significant population group in terms of demographic parameter as they constitute about a fifth of the human population globally and are rapidly increasing in terms of absolute number. Young people are also a unique population in terms of characteristics and needs and they face unique challenges as a result of their level of development and the societal situation. In Nigeria, there has been a growing recognition of the need to respond effectively to the health and developmental challenges of young people. In this respect, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) developed a National Adolescent Health Policy.

Maintaining and improving the health and well-being of youths in Nigeria is the fundamental duty of all government supported by private sectors, civil society etc.  

One of the most important commitments a country can make for future economic, social and political progress and stability is to address the health and development needs of its young people. In Nigeria, there has been a growing recognition of the challenge of young people’s health issues and need to address this challenge. As evidence from various local and national surveys have shown, young people in Nigeria face different challenges. To respond to the challenges of young people’s health and development, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health developed a National Adolescent Health Policy in 1995. The policy identified major areas of youth health care needs and for intervention to address the following:  (a) education (b) career and employment etc. 

The interest should be prioritized by:

 *Reducing the number of youth not in employment, education or training and increase access to decent work and livelihoods amongst young people by providing access to learning opportunities, putting in place school-to-work transition policies, strengthening public private partnerships for better skills-matching, enhance access to financial and non-financial services 

*    increasing opportunities for youth-led entrepreneurship, and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. 

* Ensuring young people’s meaningful and inclusive participation in decision making processes, governance and peace building, and develop, implement and adequately fund cross-sectorial youth policies and review mechanisms, in the framework of the World Programme of Action for Youth  

*       Improving the physical, social and mental health of adolescents and youth, promote healthy behaviours for reducing the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases and substance abuse, and increase access to affordable, acceptable and quality-assured adolescent- and youth-friendly health services and information

Name:  Benjamin mirian chioma

State Code:OS/20B/0815

Discipline: Marketing