..Seeks Gov. Adeleke intervention
The Osun State Commissioner for Youth Development, Moshood Olagunju, has been accused by the state’s youth of allegedly planning to politicize the upcoming National Youth Conference.
The youths under aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizen (CCNC), expressed concerns that the Commissioner’s actions may compromise the transparency and merit-based selection process for the conference.
In a statement signed by Akinkunmi Musa Abdulsalam, Chairman of the group, the youths warned the Commissioner against prioritizing politics over the interests of the youth.
They demanded a transparent and merit-based selection process, urging the Commissioner to involve real actors from the August Fearless protest.
The youths have also called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene in the matter, ensuring that the Commissioner does not politicize the conference. Additionally, they have alerted media houses and security agencies to monitor the situation and prevent potential unrest.
According to released, “Every Government official must be fair , transparent and accountable in their approach to people as they hold the office in trust .
“The Osun State Commissioner of Youth Affairs has demonstrated a blatant disregard for the trust he owed the state’s youth with the manner at which he handled the youth of the state, open display of “nothing will happen”.
“Information has it of different dealings by the commissioner of youth at Nysc, with poor and non implementation of projects , and also equally discovered a collaboration with a prolonged and overdue personal assistant to the state director of Nysc who has served 8 years in the state with different directors perpetrating many questionable dealings with the commissioner of youth affairs Hon. Moshood Olagunju, the coalition will soon approach the anti grft agencies on many act at the ministry of youth.
“The recent actions regarding the National Youth Confab representatives and back door approach by the commissioner of youth are examples of his divisive tactics,autocratic and stereotypical approach of neglecting and not carrying the necessary youth groups along .
”The Commissioner’s attempt to exclude genuine comrades who have fought tirelessly for the masses and have established a position on the National Confab.
“The commissioner autocratic approach is a stark reminder of his divisive tactics and uncare attitude. Information has it that non of the members of the coalition who led the peaceful protest in Osun were duly carried along in the nomination in the initial stage until one representative was considered and HE,the commissioner for youth affairs was bent on removing the representative whose group are mainly men comrade.
The Commissioner undermines the spirit of the Confab and casts doubt on his ability to represent the interests of Osun State’s youth. Many Youths were in the street ,engaging different stakeholders on the demands . Surprisingly, the commissioner is now on the move on putting those who knew nothing about the demands,family representative and allies nor neither engaged on the priority demands of the youth in the street.
“The Commissioner’s selection process for the Confab has been shrouded in secrecy, with no clear modalities or criteria for selecting representatives. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about favoritism and nepotism.
“The CCNC, which led the protests that contributed to the announcement of the National Youth Confab has not been fully carried along in the selection process. This exclusion is unacceptable and raises questions about the Commissioner’s commitment to inclusivity and the worst of the situation is involvement of those whose interest is selfish and to do the bid of the commissioner.
“Given the Commissioner’s lack of involvement in the August fearless protest that led to the Confab, it is unclear who is representing in Abuja. Is he representing the interests of the Governor, or those of the youth? The people of Osun State deserve clarity on this matter.
“We call on the Commissioner to provide clear and transparent criteria for selecting representatives to the National Youth Confab as touching the state representatives.
“The Commissioner should work with the CCNC and other genuine comrades who fought for the Confab, rather than sidelining them.
“We urge Governor, his Excellency Senator Ademola Adeleke to intervene in this matter, as Osun State is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that can go off anytime.
“The youth are restless, and the Commissioner’s actions are exacerbating the situation. We call on the Governor to step in and ensure that the Commissioner’s actions align with the interests of the youth without special interest.
“The Governor should ensure that the selection process for the Confab is transparent and inclusive, and that genuine comrades are not sidelined but carried along.
“The CCNC demands accountability and transparency from the Commissioner, If he is not ready to work with genuine comrades and represent the interests of Osun State’s youth, then Osun State does not need a representative in the Confab who are stooge and will not able to represent the interest of the youths.
“We urge the Governor to take immediate action to address this situation and prevent any crisis.
Olagunju, however, insisted that the process was transparent and aligned with federal expectations.
“Let them contact the Minister of Youth directly to confirm the directive,” he said.
