Youths across the nation have been charged to be upright and focused on what they could do to be relevant in the society rather than thinking of what the government can do for them.
The governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola gave the charge in Osogbo while speaking at a program organized by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Adonis Quality Life Initiative to commemorate this year International Democracy Day.
Aregbesola who was represented by Hon Akintoyese Ademola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Enterprises Wealth Creation, said its high time for youth to develop themselves in the area that they could be useful for their immediate society.
The organiser of the programme “Adonis Quality Life Initiative AQLI” is a non-governmental organization with core objective of improving the standard of living in developing countries. The Initiative covers health, education, empowerment and gender equality advocacy.
This year’s International Democracy Day event organised by Adonis Quality Life Initiative was held in three countries: United States, United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.
The governor who was awarded for his exceeding youth development used the medium to reiterate the commitment of his administration towards Youth development.
Delivering papers, a senior lecturer from the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Mr Babatunde Isamuko and a social commentator, Don Dotun Ojon urged the youth to first change their mindset and increase their level of activism if they really want to take over the reigns of government.
In their separate addresses on the topic titled, “Youth Engagement in True Democracy” the duo urged the youths to become genuine vehicle for societal change.
Isamuko advised the youths to monitor the affairs of Government and those in power and most importantly, to engage the elders in their activities.
His words, “The youths should help themselves, they should increase their level of activism, because nobody will give political power to the youths on a platter of gold. They should go beyond being “bread and butter” activists.
“The problem of our country is not the Government not working, the problem is people not taking responsibilities for themselves, if as a youth, you cannot take responsible of your self, then you are likely to graduate to an irresponsible elder.”
Earlier in his open remark, the coordinator of the Initiative, Mr Seunayo Isola, explained that the organization have a lots of initiative geared towards youth development part of which is the Adonis health club which was established recently following the approval from the State ministry of education and that the club now exist in all the high schools in Ilesa, Ijebu Jesha, Esa Oke, Obokun, Imesi Ile ,Otan-Ile and Ibodi.
He however urged organizations and well meaning Nigerians to partner with the organization as it aims to extend the Health club to the rest of the state by 2018.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the event who is Patron of Egbe omo Obokun in Ijeshaland in the United States, Prince Joseph Babalola commended the efforts of the founder of the initiative, Mr Ademiju Omodara Adonis. He noted that the Initiative has impacted the youths of the State in a positive way.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the Governor of State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and a traffic marshal in transportation ministry, Mrs Toyin Adeleke.
