NYCN launches Youth-Led emergency response initiative in Lagos

The Lagos State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has officially launched the Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champions (LYSEC), a new initiative designed to support the efforts of the state’s safety and emergency response agencies.

The inauguration ceremony was a key part of the Lagos Youth Talk Series 2.0, held on Wednesday at the Sam Shonibare Youth Centre in Surulere. The event’s theme was “Street-Smart Safety: How Lagos Youth Can Strengthen Community Emergency Response.”

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During the event, stakeholders urged young people in Lagos to utilize the state’s official emergency toll-free numbers, 767 and 112, during crises rather than making direct calls to public officials.

Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, praised the initiative, emphasizing that safety is a collective effort. He stated that both the government and citizens must collaborate to ensure a secure environment throughout the state.

Ogunlende highlighted that the state government’s consistent backing of the youth council reflects its dedication to the THEMES Plus agenda, which prioritizes youth inclusion. “Safety and security remain everyone’s concern,” he stressed.

The Commissioner affirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, noting that with young people constituting approximately 60% of Lagos’s population, their active participation in governance is essential. He encouraged them to get involved at the grassroots level, starting in their local wards and governments, and to view themselves as leaders of today.

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In his keynote address, Hon. Olugbenga Oyerinde, the Commissioner for Special Duties, detailed the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s work to enhance emergency response under the THEMES Plus agenda. Represented by Tobi Oladepo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Oyerinde pointed to the state’s advanced Command and Control Centre and key agencies like the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

He added that the government has revitalized Local Emergency Management Committees in various local governments to facilitate faster grassroots response. Youths were encouraged to champion advocacy, avoid hindering emergency responders, and embrace the “If you see something, say something” mindset.

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Engr. Adigun Ibrahim, Chairman of NYCN Lagos State, described the initiative as timely for a rapidly expanding megacity with a significant youth population. He explained that properly trained and organized young people can act as first responders and provide early warnings within their communities.

In a goodwill message, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, motivated the youth to be resilient and not to be deterred by failure, calling it a natural part of the path to success.

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Mr. Muyiwa Yusuf, Head of ICT at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), also spoke, advising young people to commit to continuous learning. He also informed attendees about INEC’s ongoing voter registration drive, urging them to avoid double registration and to use the mobile registration units available in local government areas.

The event saw participation from various government security and emergency agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), all of whom pledged their continued collaboration.