ABEOKUTA– As the World celebrates the International Youth Day, the Ogun state government has urged the Nigerian Youths to get more involved in the things that concerns their socio-economic development
Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Comrd. Olamide Lawal noted that that the youth and elderly must synergies to make sure they create available opportunity for the younger ones.
Lawal added that the year 2022 theme for the celebration, ‘Inter Generational Solidarity, Creating A World For All’ is apt, adding that the role the youth play in the society cannot be over-emphasised.
“Well as we all know that every August 12th has been put aside by the United Nations to be celebrated as international Youth Day considering the role the youth play in our society and every year we are always given a theme which we must work on.
“This years theme is ‘Inter Generational Solidarity, Creating A World For All’, which mean that the youth and elderly must synergies to make sure they create available opportunity for the younger one.
“This year we feel it is important to use the medium to energize our youth so that they can leave responsibly and can be involve with what is happening in their society they can make sure that they use their strength to choose appropriate leaders that would lead them within their domain”, he added
He however commend the Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his inclusive governance, while describing him as a youth centered governor who has created several employment opportunities for the youths in the state.
“To the glory of God, in Ogun state we have gotten a governor that is youth centered, that centers his program on youth and created employment for several numbers of youth and also have them in his government.
“So for this reason we are using this medium to energize the youth to be involve with what is happening in the society and open to learning and at all times because learning will enhance their capacity.
“Everything he does is centered around them and he’s making sure he creates an enabling environment for the youth to be empowered.
“The airport in progress, when completed and commissioned would generate employment for over 30,000 youths and recently over 2,000 youths who are teachers were recently employed and also in agriculture so everything he does is centered around youth.
“And the youth would want a government who has been doing alot for them to return back to power and we would also make sure we open their eyes to it and tell them what the governor has done and what he plans to do so the youth are critical to the 2023 election and we will never joke with them”, he added.
Meanwhile, Olufemi Bashorun, the Coordinator of Gateway Progressive Youth reteirated that the youth must start to move away from political engagement to political involvement, saying that the time is right for them to take over the mantle of leadership.
Bashorun added that for the country to attained it’s full potential and enjoy economic stability, the youth must get involved and contribute their kinetic energy in the development of the country.
“What we are doing today is to enlighten, educate and inform the public about the need to be involved in the electioneering process, to come out on the day of the election and vote for their preferred political candidate or party.
“It’s just for people to ensure that they make use of their PVC on the day of election, to go out and append their thumb print on the front of the candidats of their choice.
“It is also important to note that no society can sustain its level of development if it does not carty the youth along in the process of development.
“For that to be achieved the youth must be involved in the process of developing our nation by getting involved with the political and electioneering process.
“We want to ensure that the youth on that day should come out on the day of election and be part of all the process that is the essence of our campaign today”, Bashorun said.
