The Osun State Delegates to the first National Youth Conference organized by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has called on governments across the country to work together in delivering plans and programmes that will lead to adequate development of Nigerian youths.
The group made the call in a statement made available to AMILOADED on Wednesday.
It read, “We recall that very recently, the Osun State Government launched the Osun Youth Policy Document in which it clearly outlined several policy directions that it would take to ensure the development of youths, the promotion of their capabilities and the creation of an enabling environment for their talents and creative energies. We consider the Osun youth policy document a timeless document that if followed, will guide successive governments in their efforts to truly engage young people.
“Digesting the content and spirit of the first National Youth Conference, we can say that it is in absolute alignment with the items of the Osun Youth Policy document as launched recently. What this means to us, is that there are obvious similarities in the vision of the Osun State Government through the Youth Policy Document and the vision of the Federal Government through the National Youth Conference.
“We believe that these similarities can be carefully engaged to achieve speedy development of youths across the country, through proper synergy between government at both levels and down to the Local Governments.
“We also believe that such synergy, if it collates the diverse youth policy approaches of cooperating governments, will lead to a National youth policy direction that guides government actions and reassures the youths.
“For example, adopting and naturalizing the Osun Youth Policy Document into our National Youth Development Policy, tapping from the efforts made so far to achieve the items of the Osun Youth Policy, will make it easier to achieve sustainable youth development.
“These thoughts we have expressed and loudly spoken of at the various discussion sessions of the youth conference. We believe that improved synergy, especially in the areas of knowledge sharing and adoption of existing policy directions, will lead to improved handling of youth affairs.
“While appreciating the Osun State Government for its past efforts to speed up youths’ development, we also appreciate the Osun State Government for the efforts it put into making our participation as State Delegates in the first National Youth Conference, a meaningful one.
“We must specifically state that Osun Delegates had one of the most dignifying supports, when compared to the experience of delegates from other States. This further lends credence to the dedication of the State Government to creating platforms that can help youths grow. We tender our utmost commendation of these efforts.
“We also commend the Osun State Government’s continued dedication to excellence in its programmes for the youths of the State. Having been selected from across several youth interest groups, we understand the State Government’s intention to ensure that we deliver quality representation of the youths of the State at the Conference. We gave our very best to this endeavor and will stay committed to consolidating the gains we have made as delegates, for the betterment of the lives of the people we represent.
“We also commend the efforts of other youths from Osun State who attended the National Youth Conference in one capacity or the other, other than the State’s delegation.
“We specifically appreciate the cooperation of the NYCN State Chairman and other Members of the National Youth Parliament aside the one in our delegation. We appreciate the unity displayed by Osun indigenes at this conference and we believe that it is a pointer to a future that is rancor-free.
“Understanding however, that Osun State youths are still not at the point in development that they should be, we ask that the State Government braces up to do better than it has ever done. We hope to see a future very soon, where youths of Osun State become high flying models of dexterity, creativity and unparalleled achievements,” the Delegates stated.
The National Youth Conference was targeted at bringing young persons from across the country together, to debate issues that concern the progress of the country as it focused on five thematic areas which include Peace, Unity and Security; Education & Youth Development; Politics & Governance; Innovation&Technology; Power of Sports, Entertainment and Creatives.
The programme was also organized as a platform for networking among youths of the country, in a bid to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.
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