By Precious Oluwole
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has stressed the importance of investing in our young people, providing them with access to quality education, skills, training, and mentorship opportunities.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made this pledge on Tuesday while welcoming the Minister of Youths Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim to a South West Youths Stakeholders Summit at the Cocoa conference hall, Alagbaka, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa noted that the youths require an environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship; allowing them to thrive and reach their full potentials.
The Governor appreciated the minister for bringing the youth engagement to Ondo State, noting that the youth are the backbone of the society, and their growth and empowerment are crucial for a prosperous tomorrow.
He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the various policies and programmes under the RENEWED HOPE AGENDA to address the challenges that hinder the progress of Nigerian youth such as unemployment, poverty and inequality.
“We believe in you. We believe in your energy, your creativity, and your passion. We believe that you have the power to transform our communities, our state, and our country”.
The Governor encouraged Nigerian youths to continue to take full advantage of the numerous opportunities availed them by the programmes and policies of the Federal and State Governments.
“I like to assure you all that Mr President understands your concerns and the systemic barriers that have held you back for too long. We see the passion in your eyes, and we hear the urgency in your voices.
‘We are committed to a future where every young person has access to good life, quality education, decent jobs and equal opportunities. We challenge you to continue to collaborate with government to create that future”, he concluded.
Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, in her remarks, praised the resilience and patriotism of Nigerian youth and emphasized the government’s commitment to youth development. She highlighted the government’s economic reforms, the establishment of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and initiatives to support unemployed graduates. The Minister urged youth to embrace peace, support government policies, and seize opportunities for funding and development provided by programs like the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund and the Consumer Credit Programme.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commisoner for Youths and sports, Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye noted that Nigeria has always placed priority on the development of Youth. “This is going by the heavy investment which the Nation deploys to their education, health, protection of their rights through empowerment and creation of job opportunity while encouraging self-reliance.
“There is no doubt that our Youth are blessed with incredible potentials that can be channeled to reshape their lives and redefine their destiny. As you are all aware, one of the fundamental challenges facing the Youth is unemployment and its attendant negative consequences such as Youth restiveness and subsequent involvement in crimes of all manner.
Ogunleye assured that the Government at all levels is determined to assist the Youth in every way possible, in order to stimulate growth in the economy through various policy intervention. This, would therefore be in line with the Goals on items 1, 2 & 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
In attendance were; Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, secretary to the State Governor, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, commissioner for information, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu, Olubunmi Olusanya, Permanent Secretary ministry of youths development, Special Adviser on strategy, Comrade Abdulganiyu Ajowa, Commisoner for budget and economic planning, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, Commisoner for, Education, science and Technology, Mr Olaolu Akindolire, SSA on community engagement, Mr Femi Fadairo, among other top government functionaries.