By Jamiu Ganiyu
The State Government of Osun has reemphasized the commitment of its administration to youth development and would exploit all avenues to ensure that the youth of the state are productively engaged.
This was part of the assurance given by the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Benedict Olugboyega Alabi who represented the Governor of the State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola at a High-Level Stakeholder’s Policy Dialogue organised by Kimpact Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation in the state that developed a policy framework for youth engagement and empowerment.
The programme which is supported by the United Agency for International Development (USAID), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the United Kingdom Department of International Development (UKAid) held at Aurora Events and Conference Centre, ring-road, Osogbo, the state capital.
The Deputy Governor said their administration is working towards engaging the youth of the state in mining activities by training them to become mining experts while free lands are available for those interested in the agricultural sectors.
Gboyega Alabi urged the youth not to deceive themselves with the concept of self-employment as he asserted that most of them were not fully engaged hence the need to explore the mining and agricultural sectors of the economy.
He, however, challenged the organizers of the programme to ensure that Osun youth keyed into the agenda by engaging them clusters by clusters across the state.
Earlier during his opening remarks, Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative, Mr. Bukola Idowu, said the development of Osun Youth Agenda is to help the government in the course of their policy formulation and implementation.
He said the programme is focused on partnering with government to be able to scale up youth development in the State.
Bukola Idowu, however, recommended that Osun State government should set up the Osun Youth Development Commission which will be an independent government agency and one-stop-shop for all youth-oriented programmes and activities.
The commission among other things shall be the policymaking coordinating body of all youth-related institutions, programs, projects, and activities of the government, providing leadership in the formulation of policies and in the setting of priorities and direction of all youth promotion.