building youth capacity for good governance: a clarion call to prince (dr.) dapo abiodun on setting a legacy of a listening government

May 29, 2019.

The leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ogun State, congratulates His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun and Her Excellency, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele on the success of the Inauguration Ceremony. This is in no doubt a new beginning for Ogun State.

With this year's mantra of the Youth Council as BUSINESS UNUSUAL, it is noteworthy to state the need for the new government to settle to work immediately as there are quite a number of challenges demanding prompt attention.

In view of the recommendation sent to the Economic Transition Committee, on Youth and Education, by the State Leadership of the Youth Council, it is our pleasure to read part of our recommendation has been enlisted as a working document for the new government. This revelation was made available as contained in a section of the Inaugural Speech delivered by the Governor. The Council's leadership is therefore pleased to identify the personality of Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun as a listening Governor.

Relating the resolution of the new Government to our recommendation in part 3 & 4 as discussed in our document titled NYCN IN BRIEF, which reads as follows:

“3. The State Government should consider an initiative like a Youth Trust Fund (YTF) to further strengthen the financial capacity of the Youth Council to independently drive more empowerment programs without awaiting government intervention at all times.

“4. The State Government should, through the Youth Council, create a database for all youths to enable identification of employment status for a better implementation on core  policies (welfare, security, education, empowerment, etc).”

The leadership of the Youth Council hereby expressed our support to the Governor as one truly ready to engage the youths of Ogun state. His inaugural speech, in part, has confirmed his readiness to run a youth inclusive government via his proclamation below at the inauguration ceremony:

“7. Employment Trust Fund
Unemployment has attained the status of an epidemic in the country and in our State too. The army of unemployed youth roaming the streets

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should be a matter of concern to all. Lack of gainful employment and lawful means of survival for these able-bodied young men and women make them prone to criminal activities and immoral behaviour. We have designed multi-pronged approach to address this unpleasant situation.

“• In the next two weeks or so, a portal will be unveiled to register unemployed persons in the state with details of their qualifications and skills. The resultant database will be available for employers of state and new investors to recruit from. Other uses include internship opportunities for those who may not have immediate permanent

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employment and nominations for intervention programmes and skills acquisition training.

“• Establishment of Employment Trust Fund that will focus on providing entrepreneurship training, skills acquisition and access to seed funds to the trained applicants to start their businesses.”

The leadership of the Council wishes to acknowledge the resolution above as one developed on the recommendation presented to the Economic Transition Committee on Youth and Education. And this is notably a step in the right direction.

While urging the Governor to ensure the resolution is well-driven through, the Council  charges the new government on the need to involve the leadership of the Youth Council in the processes to drive the implementation of these projects. The need for our involvement, as stated in our recommendation, should be seen as paramount being the umbrella and welfare body of the target group (Youths) to benefit from this policy.

While looking forward to needful consideration on collectively overseeing these processes, we are hopeful of fruitful engagements as we continue build our youths' capacity for good governance.

Yours in Youth Development,

Com. (Prince) Adeleke Adebajo
State Chairman,
Ogun Youth Council.