Sanwo-Olu to engage youths in oil-producing communities

TRACKING_____Determined to address youth unrest and other challenges in oil producing communities in the country, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwu-Olu has pledged to accommodate youths in the employment plan of the state.

Speaking at the 2020 Badagry Youth Oil and Gas Conference, organised by Ministry for Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s belief in constant youths’ engagement as panacea for crisis associated to oil-producing communities.

He said: “In Lagos State, we are convinced that youth engagement remains the fulcrum for peace in extractive operations and that is why we agreed to host this very important conference, so that together, with the youths, we can develop a unique Community Engagement Standards (CES) as a key component of inclusive governance.”

The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote, noted that the petroleum sector had contributed to the economy of Nigeria and by extension the state, by providing employment, supporting industries and generally enhanced the living conditions of our people.

He added that despite the gains of petroleum, its discovery had, often times, created tense hostile relationships between the youths, operating companies and the communities because of seemingly lack of mutual understanding of the standards of engagement and the absence of a platform for engaging the Youths.