Ekiti Govt Pledges Adequate Funding for Youth-friendly Policies to Create Jobs, Wealth
….govt trains youths on leadership, mentorship, ethics
The Ekiti State government, has declared that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration will continually demonstrate commitment to enhancing the creativity and spirit of innovation in youths, by funding policies that are creating jobs and wealth for the population.
The government promised to sufficiently fund and sustain programmes and policies that are providing jobs and creating wealth for the youth population under Oyebanji’s leadership, while also including them at various levels of politics and governance in the spirit of inclusivity.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adesola Adedayo, said this on Saturday, at a one day leadership training organised for the members of the fourth Ekiti Youth Parliament.
The programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Development, was aimed at building and equipping members of the youth parliamentarians with ethical standards, leadership, personal development and mentorship.
It was also attended by the Osun State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Olalekan Olagunju and other high profile youth groups.
Declaring the programme opened, the Youth Commissioner, Mr. Adedayo, described the training session as one of the significant moments in the collective will of government to empower and equip the youths for active participation in governance, leadership, and development.
The Commissioner applauded the remarkable strides and contributions of the fourth Ekiti Youth Parliament (EYP) to the development of the state since its inauguration .
The Commissioner equally commended them for demonstrating what he called extraordinary level of commitment, resilience, and creativity in addressing the challenges facing young people in their various constituencies.
“Let me assure you that programmes like Ekiti Youth in Agriculture, where 940 youths are engaged in commercial farming, ICT hub, Ekiti Youth Development Centre, employment generation in the civil service, Ekiti Garment/Adire Hub, Ekiti Sport building, MSMEs Clinic and appointment into various cadres of political positions in government are initiatives of Governor Oyebanji to create jobs and wealth for the youths.
“All these are making our youths gain recognition and relevance. Poverty has also reduced within their ranks.
“Let me assure you that our youth-friendly governor will not only adequately fund all these programmes, he will ensure their sustainability, so that good number of our youth population can benefit from them”.
Adedayo commended the youth parliamentarians for collaborating with government, signposting that they were ready to allow their potentials to be tapped fully for the benefit of Ekiti State in all spheres of the economy.
“Your ability to deliberate on issues of public importance and offer solutions reflects the vision of this initiative, a platform where the youth can learn, lead, and leave a legacy of positive impact”.
Speaking further, Adedayo said: “This training session is another opportunity to sharpen your skills and expand your capacity for service. The role of a youth parliamentarian is not just to learn, but to act as a voice for the youth, bridging the gap between the government and the people.
“I urge you to embrace this moment with open hearts and show willingness to learn, knowing that you are part of a generation that will redefine the future of Ekiti State”.
Describing the programme as one of the strategies of Governor Oyebanji towards empowering the youth and getting them ready for future leadership, Adedayo, urged members of the parliamentarians to remain committed to the values of diligence, integrity, honour and honesty in all their endeavours.
In his submission, the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Youths, Hon Ìdowu Odebunmi, described the timing of the training as apt, noting that it coincides with the time the youths are building themselves for leadership positions and dictating the pace in the economic survival of the nation.
Saluting the government for according the youths relevance in governance, the Speaker, Ekiti Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Babatunde Olusanya, said the programme will further expose his members to legislative procedures, ethical standards and mastering of parliamentary rules and debates, among others.
The programme held at the conference room of the governor’s office Ado-Ekiti, was attended by members of the National Youth Council, Ekiti State chapter,
youth groups as well as officials of the ministry among others.