Legislative Agenda: Osun Assembly to Collaborate with YIAGA to Achieve Set Goals

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, yesterday hosted the representatives of the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) in his office.

The visit was in response to the invitation that was extended to the civic group by the speaker in continuation of deliberations that would forge a partnership between the Osun State House of Assembly and YIAGA, which was initiated during the last Conference for Young Parliamentarians in Abuja.

In his opening remark, Egbedun welcomed the team to the state and explained that the decision of the 8th Assembly to invite YIAGA for collaboration was informed by their antecedents and capacity, which the House is hoping to tap into in delivering on its core mandate.

In his words: “We are convinced that your organisation is a partner we should have, especially in the provision of technical support for our legislative agenda.”  

“We are looking at a partnership in the area of capacity building for members and legislative innovations that will facilitate the actualisation of our lofty goals for our dear state.

“We believe that this 8th Osun State House of Assembly shares the ideals of development with YIAGA and thus, we will enjoy a seamless relationship going forward.” 

In their separate remarks, Hon. Abiola Awoyeye, Hon. Olumide Fatunmise, Hon. Hon. Elisha Oderinwale and Hon. Abolarin Kashope applauded the Convergence 5.0 Conference that was organised by YIAGA for young parliamentarians as a necessary stimulus in driving good governance.

They also commended the civic group for its devotion to youth excellence in governance.

They noted that the conference was educative and made a good beginning for their legislative journey, charging the group to sustain its efforts in ensuring that young people in government positions did not falter.

On the prospect of the House and YIAGA’s partnership, the lawmakers affirmed the resolve of the 8th Assembly to push the state forward through impactful legislation, adding that the House is also counting on the support of the civic group to achieve its objectives.

In his separate remark, the Majority Leader, Hon. Kofoworola Adewunmi Babajide, commended YIAGA for what it has been doing in terms of initiative, advocacy, growth and advancement, appealing to the organisation to always factor in those who are above forty years in their programmes because learning and development should not be determined by age.

In his response, Dr. Sam Oguche, applauded the Osun State House of Assembly for what they have been doing so far, which he described as a testament that age should not be a barrier to good governance and that is what led to the “Not Too Young To Rule” advocacy then.

Ogbuche added that “we can see potential in this Osun 8th Assembly, an assembly that has about half of his members below forty years.”

He noted that they are ready to partner with the assembly in the area of capacity building, providing innovations to support the legislative agenda of the House in bill drafting among other ways that will make a meaningful impact in the life of the people and development of the state.

Mrs. Kemi Bakare, who happens to be a native of Ode-Omu in Ayeedade Local Government, said that their collaboration with the 8th Assembly would go a long way to develop the state, noting that the Osun State House of Assembly is the first on their list and they would ensure that the collaboration is worthwhile for the benefit of the people.

She submitted that this effort will be fully funded by the EU.