At a program organised by Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with National Youth Council of Nigeria, Osun State chapter to mark this year International Youth Day, the Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola has implored youths in the State to Shun any acts of violence, thuggery and hooliganism in the interest of all.
The Governor who emphasised that his government is not in support of blood letting for any reason, he gave the charge during an interactive session with the youths at the staff development centre, behind state secretariat, Abere with a theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.
The youth had marched through some major streets of Osogbo in commemoration of the 2021 International Youth Day before it was terminated at the White House to solidarise with the Governor as they pledged their unalloyed support for his second term ambition.
Addressing the youths, Governor Oyetola congratulated them on the occasion, told them to channel their energy into engagement that will bring about growth and development of the State.
“Please don’t allow yourselves to be used by political jobbers and evildoers. Let your future be your priority. Your future must be paramount to all of you. Don’t be instruments in the hands of the wicked.”
“We are conscious of your future, that is why most of our programmes and policies are focused on you. We have a lot to do, as we pray God to endow us with more resources. I am really happy for your large turnout.”
“Please, don’t relent in your efforts. I want you to remain resolute in your support, don’t be distracted and don’t be deterred. We are committed to your course, and we will do more for you. By the grace of God, if I am re-elected, at least 30 percent of my cabinet will be youths.”
“In relation to this year’s theme, we just distributed 100,000 Cocoa seedlings and other farm inputs to over 1000 farmers in the State, majority of whom are youth. This is deliberate to encourage young people to venture into agric business.”
“As an administration that recognises the need for youth empowerment and development, we have in the last two and half years, empowered over 10,000 young persons through various interventions, including loan disbursement to enable them begin new businesses or boost existing ones.”
“Recall that only recently, we launched the Osun Youth Policy, which enunciates our administration’s grand vision and specific youth development strategies. We are already following through to ensure effective implementation of the Policy.”
“As part of the policy’s implementation, we have, for the first time in the history of our State, kick-started the Osun Sports Festival, that is on-going. The festival is being organized to discover hidden talents and identify the budding ones, with the aim of nurturing them.”
“I assure our youth that as an administration, we will not relent in our commitment to improving your socio-economic conditions and creating the right opportunities for you to fully express your potential.”
He said the government is striving hard to lay a good foundation for youth development through various policies and programmes that will make life better for them.
At the programme to commemorate the day, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Yemi Lawal elaborated on the state policy document which is aimed at empowering the youth through engagement and entrepreneurship.
He said the document would serve as a veritable tool towards the actualisation of the lofty programmes of the administration to guarantee a better future for the youth.
“The administration of Mr Gboyega Oyetola is youth friendly government that doesn’t take with levity their welfare and upliftment. Today, the numbers of youths that are in leadership position both at the state and in our local governments are immeasurable and this this is a pointer to the fact that truly Mr governor is a father who takes pleasure is seeing us doing exploit in our chosen careers.”
Also, at the program, Mr Oyetola graciously endorsed shoes produced by Monsurat Ololade (Lade Nigeria) as he encouraged youths to go into entrepreneurship and food productions.
