Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has lauded two non-profitable organisations for evolving policies and programmes that could enhance youth development in the state.
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The organisations are the National Demographic Institute (NDI) and the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), an NGO.
Oyetola gave this commendation on the sideline of the 2nd Osun Youth Policy Agenda Dialogue, organised by KDI on Thursday in Osogbo.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Mr Yemi Lawal, said youths agenda could play vital roles in the socio-economic development of any state.
“Youths are people with concepts and ideas capable of driving a nation to prosperity and this should be given the avenue to thrive.
“The youth are principal players in our developmental agenda and we have tailored our programmes to focus, especially on youth development,’’ Lawal said.
According to him, a bill on the Osun Youth Development Commission has been sent to the House of Assembly for the necessary attention.
He said that the bill sought to chart the way forward for the advantage of more than 2.5 million youths in the state.
“A bill for the establishment of Youth Development Commission has been forwarded to the State House of Assembly.
“This is in response to your request presented at the 1st Osun Youth Policy Agenda for the establishment of the commission.
“I am happy to have an army of most proactive, innovative, intelligent, educated, most service and people-oriented youths.
“Indeed, with this array of young people around me, I am confident that our development agenda is an auto-pilot,’’ Oyetola told the gathering.
The Executive Director of KDI, Mr Bukola Idowu, lauded the governor for focusing on the yearnings of youths through his policy-making processes and programmes.
“The present administration has done well enough through its empowerment and entrepreneurship programmes, focusing on youths.
“This is commendable because youths are the drivers and life-line for sustainable development,’’ Idowu said.
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He urged the lawmakers to give special attention to the bill, currently before the Assembly.