By Godspower Eguasa
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has held a strategy dialogue session with a cross-section of youths in the State, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the State as well as members of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) on the Edo Youth Development Policy to drive his administration’s sustainable development plan.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., at the event tagged “Edo Youth Development Policy Inaugural Dialogue Session” assured the stakeholders of his administration’s readiness to tackle issues critical to the development of Edo youths.
Obaseki emphasized that the policy framework currently being developed will address critical issues faced by the youths and birth healthy structures that enable the youths succeed in their various endeavors.
He said: “We have decided to make issues that relate to youth development more structured through an important legal framework that will transcend this administration through the Edo Youth Development Policy, for which we are gathered here today.
“This policy will address critical and relevant issues that Edo youths face and measures that will be put in place to enable them to have access to basic services that their age demographic requires”.
The Governor harped on the importance of youths in nation’s building, and highlighted the laudable initiatives the State Government has embarked upon to drive productivity and improve the wellbeing of youths in the State.
He Said: “The strength of any nation is in its youth population and the strategic thing to do is to equip this teeming population with tools and techniques to be productive.
“My administration has carried out laudable projects geared at skills development and other employment opportunities. We have monumental projects like the Edo Innovation Hub, Edo Production Center, Edo Tech Park and Edo Creative Hub.
“These have been put in place to get the youths and even teenagers engaged in activities that are relevant in today’s world.”
Commissioner for Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in his remarks, maintained that the Obaseki-led administration would sustain the various initiatives designed to equip Edo youths to actualize their dreams and participate in the development of the State
“The youths have effectively dominated the creative and tech-based businesses and created a niche for themselves. They have demonstrated strength and unity with the most talked about being the ‘not too young to run law,’” Nehikhare added.
Mr. Constantin Lucian Pirjol, who represented GIZ, the lead sponsor of the program, during his presentation on the objective and strategic vision as it relates to the Edo Youth Development Policy, commended Edo State Government on the series of achievements in the area of capacity building and skills acquisition with the establishment of the Edo Skills Development Agency.
He noted that it was important for the State to set up an Action Committee composed of both State and non-state actors for the development of a robust and sustainable youth development policy that is peculiar to the State.
