2025 International Day of the Youth, August 12: A Health Policy expert, Dr Oluedo Eric, has extolled the gallantry displayed recently by a Nigerian Youth, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who led a team of other Youths to confront armed kidnappers in Edo state of Nigeria and rescued one of the wounded victims. Speaking on this year’s theme of International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” Dr Oluedo highlighted that VDM’s activities as a youth is consistent with the provisions of SDG Goal 16 which addresses security by aiming to reduce violence, end abuse and exploitation, ensure equal access to justice, combat crime and corruption, and build strong, transparent institutions.
He further called on other Nigerian Youths who are human rights activists, critics, philanthropists, and influencers to unite in translating global ambitions into the fight against community-driven realities like insecurity, kidnapping, poverty, hunger, ignorance, disease etc.
As development partners work to translate and implement the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments, Youths are critical partners. Youths bring creativity, insight, and deep community ties that help bridge the gap between policy and practice. With over 65 per cent of SDG targets linked to local governance, youth engagement is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
This year’s IYD will also underscore the essential role of local and regional governments. Being the closest to the communities they serve, they are uniquely positioned to create inclusive policy environments, allocate resources, and establish mechanisms for youth participation in local planning and decision-making. By integrating youth priorities into local and regional strategies and fostering partnerships with youth organizations, authorities can collaborate with Youths to transform their ideas into impactful solutions. When local governments provide spaces for innovation, mentorship, and civic engagement, they not only accelerate SDG implementation but also nurture future community leaders and changemakers. As the world embarks on the final stretch toward 2030, IYD 2025 calls for real investments in inclusive policies and programmes that leverage local youth actions for the SDGs.
👇👇👇
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/
Nze Dro?
INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/
Nze Dro?
X (TWITTER)
https://twitter.com/
@Eric Oluedo?
TICK-TOK
https://tick-tok.com/
@Nzedr.o?
YOUTUBE
https://youtube.com/ @aforrctv?
