OGUN RESTATES COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING YOUTHS The Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in Ogun State believes that the future of any society depends largely on the care given to youths today. For this reason, the administration will continue to take necessary steps to empower youths in the State to prepare them adequately for challenges of the future. Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga made this assertion at the NYSC orientation camp in Sagamu during the formal flag-off of the 2013 annual youth camping/citizenship and leadership training facilitated by the State government. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Moyosore Olowonmi, Otenuga noted that the programme with the theme “Nigeria Youth, Our future, our Responsibility” was packaged to impart enduring experience and knowledge in the participating youths for their wholesome development. “Organizing this kind of camp for the training of our future leaders at this time is an indication that Government takes keen interest in the leaders of tomorrow. Instead of allowing the youths to loiter about during the holiday, this camp programme will engage them in physical drills, learning in a more relaxed environment, making new friends and also visiting important places that will enrich their knowledge of the environment”, Otenuga explained. The Commissioner disclosed that since its inception over two years ago, the Amosun administration had been giving attention to youth development through various trainings, economic empowerment programmes and disbursement of subventions to voluntary organisations among other steps. Urging participants to make judicious use of the two week camping programme, Otenuga charged them to shun violence and other social vices and be good ambassadors of the State wherever they find themselves. Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Youth Development in the Ministry, Alhaji Fatai Gbadamosi expressed optimism that the annual event would create a forum for the young people to express their genuine feelings about their environment. He added that the training was put together to inject in the participants a deep sense of mission, right attitudes as well as good human and community relations. Later in an interview, two of the participants, Olorunfemi Durosinmi and Tomilola Adekunle described the programme as a worthwhile eye opener which had afforded them an opportunity to make friends and learn new skills. The duo gave the thumbs up to the State government for its various programmes meant to develop the youths, urging that it should not relent. Over 150 youths drawn from the 20 Local Government Areas of the State, members of voluntary youth organizations and religious bodies are participating in the programme which opened last Sunday.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 17:53:13 +0000