The Senior Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Student Affairs and Social Mobilisation Adegboyega Oyetola, Kehinde Ayantunji has said the recognition of the position of the youths in society is the reason behind the state government’s policies on education, economy, mining and agriculture.
Ayantunji also disclosed that the policies which revolved around youth development were not accidental but conscious efforts to build a brighter future for the state.
Ayantunji who made this known at a one-day symposium in commemoration of the 2022 International Youth Day organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter in Osogbo on Saturday assured that despite the current electoral setback the administration suffered in the last election, it will continue to strive to sustain its interventions on youth development.
This he said will bring about the reduction of crime and set back poverty in the state.
While advocating concerted efforts in sustaining an enduring and all-inclusive youth agenda for the people, Ayantunji charged the society to begin to raise the consciousness in advancing the cause of the youth towards nation-building, national integration and development.
In his word, “the time has come to bridge intergenerational solidarity gaps and address the missing links of building a virile, healthy and workable nation.
“In response to the theme of this year’s celebration, we must situate properly the provision of quality education at all levels as this will help to consistently produce sound minds of educated population in the quest to address social vices.
“Since we can’t separate a generation from another, there is a need for us to be more patriotic and develop consciousness of national interest. We must all be committed to the project called Nigeria.
“One generation cannot survive without the support of another generation hence the need to go beyond solidarity. There must be synergy in terms of political culture, economic development, innovation and ideas, security of lives and property of the citizens, and we must bridge this gap to the level that Nigeria will become the best place for us to be and one to be proud of by all and sundry.”
The Governor’s aide while reiterating the need for government at all levels to rise to the contemporary challenges confronting the young people globally, identified youths as the most productive and energetic segment of the world population.
He also attributed the lack of societal virtues and values as a missing link and clog in the wheels of progress among the youths.
According to him, “the society can only be redefined and made conducive for all particularly youths to thrive if social vices ranging from moral decadence, lack of quality education, family integration, virtuous values among others were decisively addressed.” Continue Reading
