Lagos: The Lagos State Government has praised the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for launching the Youth Safety and Emergency Champions initiative aimed at enhancing grassroots response.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Lagos Youth Safety and Emergency Champion (LYSEC) initiative was unveiled in Surulere during the Lagos Youth Talk Series 2.0, organized by the NYCN’s Lagos State chapter.
The initiative, spearheaded by NYCN Chairman Ibrahim Adigun, is intended to support existing safety and emergency agencies across the state. Commissioner for Special Duties, Olugbenga Oyerinde, in his keynote address, lauded the initiative and emphasized the essential role of youth in emergency response. Represented by Tobi Oladepo, Oyerinde highlighted the challenges posed by Lagos’ growing population and the need for stronger community-based response systems.
Oyerinde explained that the LYSEC would bolster ongoing government safety reforms under the THEMES PLUS agenda. He mentioned the establishment of a ‘technology-driven Command and Control Centre’ and ‘ever-ready emergency response agencies’ as foundational elements. Additionally, he noted that the ‘Light Up Lagos’ policy has improved night movement and security.
The Commissioner encouraged youths to lead community emergency initiatives, underscoring their importance in protecting lives and property. He emphasized the significance of youth engagement in advocacy and sensitization efforts before, during, and after emergencies.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, also praised the NYCN, aligning government support for youth initiatives with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda. Ogunlende reiterated the importance of youth involvement in governance and development.
Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Moyosore Adebanjo, commended the group’s focus on safety and emergency response. In his welcome address, Adigun called for structured youth involvement in community safety, emphasizing the strategic advantage of Lagos’ youthful population when properly harnessed.
Adigun highlighted the role of technology, describing Lagos youths as ‘digitally aware, tech-savvy, and highly adaptive’. He announced LYSEC as a response to recent accidents, stressing the need for safety system reforms. Adigun described LYSEC as a ‘watchdog, an early-warning mechanism, and a first-line community response network’.
He expressed gratitude to partners and urged collective efforts to build a safer Lagos. LYSEC champions are drawn from 57 branches and youth organizations across all 57 councils in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria also reported that officials from the FRSC, NSCDC, and LASTMA delivered goodwill messages at the event. The LYSEC framework was formally presented, outlining operational strategies and collaboration mechanisms for community safety.