Osun Govt Reiterates Commitment To Youth Development

By Solomon Odeniyi

Government of the State of Osun said it has been proactive in dealing decisively with issues having to do with youths to make positive impacts in their lives.

Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement, Mrs Mofolake Adegboyega stated this at a press briefing to commemorate the 2018 World Youth Day, describing Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration as a youth friendly one.

According to her, youth development activities and programmes in the state are done in line with the National Youth Development policy programme and implementation strategies.

She alluded to how the government, through the ministry has been supervising and funding the activities of the State Youth Council, the National Youth Parliament as well as the state Youth Parliament which has helped to enhance their efficiency.

She added that the ministry was at an advanced stage in the development of formulating a state youth policy as it is applicable to the federal government.

As part of the celebration, Adegboyega said the weeklong celebration would feature visit to orphanage homes by the executive of the Osun chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, News talk, as well as match pass by voluntary Youth Organisations in the state.

Reeling out the achievements and activities embarked on by the government through the ministry locally and internationally, she noted that since inception of the administration, the ministry has been holding workshops on youth and conflict prevention for selected youth leaders of voluntary youth organizations.

She added that job fair programme has been held in collaboration with Tekai Consultant Nigeria for over 500 unemployed youths, where participants were exposed to employers of labour and job opportunities in the country.

Other achievements by the ministry include; the facilitation of youth participation in National Youth Empowerment Programme on Agriculture and leather work for Southwest, bee keeping training for selected youth from various local governments among others.

She noted that mechanism have been put in place to sustain the projects embarked upon by the ministry, lauding the state governor for releasing fund to execute the projects.

The  State Youth Council  state chairman, Olusola Olajide appreciated the governor for opening the OYES registration portal, urging the people to look beyond the stipends as there are skills acquisition opportunities incorporated in the scheme that would be of immense benefit to participants.