An affiliate body of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), the Young Planners Forum, yesterday expressed its readiness in participating to mark this year’s International Youth Day.
Coordinator of the Forum, Tpl Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu revealed this in Abuja, the Nigerian capital that the day is aimed at recognising ‘the values and lives of the youth’. Acknowledging that Nigeria has one of the most largest youth population globally, it places a huge significance to at the local level, celebrate the day.
“The International Youth Day is recognised by the United Nations for the young population throughout the world because, we know that the youth has one of the highest population in the world and in fact, Nigeria is the country with the highest number of youth population globally, he said.
“So, the International Youth Day recognizes the values and lives of the youth, trying to see how to support us.
“Having known that we are made up of this youth demographic, we want to recognise this global day and what we are trying to do is to have an event at the local level in recognition of this day.
“The day officially is on the 12th through the 14th of August, 2023.
“On the first day, there would be a community engagement where we would go to the streets and different public spaces and speak to the youth how it has been living in Abuja. What are some of the urban challenges encountered in terms of housing or mobility or urban governance? What are the different urban issues they face as young persons and how can these be supported through town planning?
“We aim to inform and make them aware of the roles of town planning. This is going to be on a Saturday.
“Then, officially, on the 14th being Monday, we will compile all of these we have gathered and hold a technical forum, having different stakeholders in the built environment, such as the town planners, architects and other organisations that have the objective of sustainable development. We will share issues with them like a panel so that we can come up with recommendations and possible forward actions to improve the lives of the youth in the FCT, Mohammed stated.
“This would be the first time we are having such activities to recognise the International Youth Day.
“We are very open to sponsorship, collaborations and partnerships with persons and organisations, the YPF or the NITP with similar objectives, he added.
While enumerating that the Young Planners Forum is an avenue for the younger generation to network and develop their skills, showcase and groom themselves for the sustainability of the profession, Tpl. Mohammed praised the Chairman of the NITP, Abuja Chapter, Tpl. Lami Ayuba for championing the cause for young town planners “to be fully empowered”.
“The Young Planners Forum kicked off its forum of activities this year, with the coming of the current Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the Institute, Tpl Lami.
“And that is one of the reasons she has fully supported the young town planners forum of the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners”, Mohammed said.
The Young Planners Forum is one of the affiliates within the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and has been part of the institute for almost a decade.
