Anambra Assembly Seeks Strict Enforcement of 18 to 35 Age Limit for Youth Programmes
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure that only persons between the ages of 18 and 35 benefit from youth development programmes in the state.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing participation of persons above the statutory youth age limit in youth focused programmes, appointments, committees, delegations, conferences, and empowerment schemes.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Dunukofia Constituency, Hon. Chuks Azotani, and co sponsored by sixteen other lawmakers.
The motion urged the Governor to direct the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports to strictly enforce the age limit prescribed in the National Youth Policy.
Hon. Azotani noted that the National Youth Policy defines youths as persons between the ages of 18 and 35.
He argued that all youth related programmes, leadership initiatives, appointments, and empowerment schemes should be reserved for individuals within that age bracket.
The lawmaker expressed concern that many people above the age of 35 continue to benefit from programmes meant for youths, thereby denying qualified young people opportunities for empowerment, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and economic advancement.
According to the sponsors, allowing over aged persons to occupy youth positions weakens the credibility of government youth policies, undermines fairness and transparency, and limits opportunities for genuine youths.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Mimi Azikiwe, Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke, Hon. Noble Igwe, Hon. Emma Nwafor, and the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, described the practice as unfair.
They also advocated the digitization of beneficiary selection to ensure that only eligible youths benefit from government youth initiatives.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the plenary, urged lawmakers to encourage young people to actively participate in youth programmes in line with their responsibility to represent the people.
