July 2006 saw the second Nigerian Youth Leadership Summit in Enugu. Since young people account for 60% infected with HIV/AIDS, focusing on health and development seemed to be an important issues for them to address.

For 4 days in early July, delegates grappled with the effects that HIV/AIDS had on their country and potential solutions. Apart from skills development and sessions with eminent speakers, the summit issued the Enugu Youth Declaration on Health and Development.

This Declaration highlights that as Nigeria’s poverty increases, the impact that HIV AIDS has on the population and especially on vulnerable groups in the community also increases. The announcement points out that women, young people and children as well as those out side the metropolitan areas are often the worst affected by this illness and are also lest likely to benefit from health programmes. This declaration highlights the problems with services that many of us in the west take for granted.

What makes the summit and the declaration so inspiring is the commitment that the delegates show in trying to solve these problems. Strategies include capacity building, and partnership between the public and private sectors, and also with international aid agencies. Other tactics involve education; appreciate assistance for various groups, and support for health workers and research.

Apart from issuing a declaration, delegates had the opportunity to hear from speakers such as Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima, Executive Director of Development Partnership International. Mr. Mac-Ikemenjima delivered a speech entitled “It is our turn to move the agenda”.

He spoke about the myriad of challenges that face Nigerian young people including HIV AIDS. He stated that 40% of the Nigerian population are young people and they, unfortunately, make up 60% of those who suffer from the deadly virus. Young people are not only more likely to suffer from this illness, but also at the forefront of change.

Mr. Mac-Ikemenjima cited a project in Port Harcourt to provide young girls and women with the skills to set up their own businesses.

It is inspiring to see Nigerian Young Leaders being agents of change in their communities and country. While they are facing increasable problems, they are showing real leadership in trying to develop solutions.