Adeleke Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Development

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated his commitment to the upliftment of youthS in the state, saying his administration is already putting in place a mechanism for young people to make good use of their potential.

The governor stated this in a message signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day, describing the youths as the future that must be nurtured and supported.

Adeleke, who acknowledged the creativity, resourcefulness, and potential of young people in the state, said the theme of this year’s event: ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World’, underscores the interest of his administration in youth development.

He said his administration is revising existing policy on youth development and would create an implementation plan that would make it possible for young people to achieve the needed growth as well as prepare them for the future.

Aside from the policy review, Governor Adeleke noted that his administration has developed a climate agenda that has the youth at the centre of its implementation.

According to him, “The governor’s Climate Advisory Council is developing a state climate policy whose implementation will be driven by youths and women,” adding that he has instructed the council members to integrate youths and women in the policy design process.

“On this International Youth Day, I celebrate the incredible potential of our young people and reaffirm my commitment to their development.

“As a government, we have demonstrated interest in promoting young people as it can be seen in the numbers we have given opportunities to serve in one capacity or the other. Beyond this, we are working on a broader approach to ensure that youths can play their role in shaping our present and future.

“Soon, we will begin the implementation of the many recommendations by the Youth Advisory Council put up shortly after last year’s election, and it promises to be a masterstroke in our desire to drive progress and transformation for youths in Osun State,” the statement said.

Adeleke called on young people to embrace their strength, especially in innovative thinking, to contribute significantly to the growth and sustainable development in the society, urging them to shun any act of criminality that could hurt people around them.