Governor Ododo Urges Youth to Take Advantage of Boundless Opportunities Provided by President Tinubu »

…urge them to channel their energy into national development, positive engagements

Kogi state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has admonished youths to take advantage of the limitless opportunities provided by the renewed hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urging them to channel their energy into engagements that would lead to national development.

The Governor made this known on Wednesday, when addressing youths from across the state at a 2-day Kogi Youth Engagement Summit held at the state government house, Lokoja, with the theme “The role of Nigeria youth in nation building”. Governor Ododo appreciated youths in kogi state for being examples to other youths across the country because of their resolve and decision to choose dialogue over protest actions.

While the governor acknowledged that youth massively voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2023 owing to their faith in his love for Nigeria and his capacity to bring hope to the nation he asserted that the president’s patriotism and commitment to our nation has remained unshaken despite current challenges.

Gov. Ododo hailed the timeliness of the theme of the summit; “the role of youths in nation building” adding that Nigeria is a nation with great potentials and unlocking these would depend largely on the mindset of young Nigerians.

He mentioned that under president Tinubu’s administration, opportunities for youths have been limitless while attesting that with the student loan scheme, children of nobodies have the opportunity to acquire quality education to any level. He pointed out that the president had successfully removed the financial barricade that restricts access to education.

The governor stated that In the last few months, the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy has made available digital skills to an array of youth adding that the opportunities that digital skills offers are limitless, hence the president has opened a window of limitless opportunities for the youth in that significant area.

He continued that under the president’s leadership, the sub nationals were beginning to benefit from the mineral resources deposits in the state as modalities were now in place to engage the state to take part in the partnership of mineral resources exploration. This according to governor Ododo would expand the industrialisation potentials of sub nationals and consequently open up more jobs for teeming youths.

The governor also hinted that the many agricultural interventions in the nation in the last few months have exposed more youths to mechanised agricultural practices which seems to be the newest global goal. He attested that many youths across the nation were already benefiting from avenues that empower them to be big time farmers adding that youths were leveraging on the available resources to produce more food rather than engage in protest actions.

He also revealed that sub nations have received numerous supports from the Federal Government in order to stimulate the economy and make life better stating that It was unfair on the part of the sponsors of the protest to ask questions about 60 years of mismanagement and expect response in less than a year. Governor Ododo however acknowledged that the president was working very hard and the benefits were already pouring in and visible.

While he affirmed that the bulwark of national development which revolved around science, technology, innovation have the youth playing a centre role, he alluded that the youths’s energy could fuel the development of the nation if well guided and positively utilised.

According to him, no nation has never attained greatness, until the youth unites to drive the process in a plausible manner, he pointed out that the nation’s education system was beginning to align and recognise the place of strategic needs assessment and moving from just theories to one that offers practical solutions to problems.

Governor Ododo said the promoters of the protest were turning logic on the head, noting that a country that is just healing from years of illness cannot afford violent protest recalling the endears scenario. He called the youths to rally their support behind Mr. President as he has given a platform to define the present and the future of our dear nation and such a feat would not be achieved on the street through protesting.

The state commissioner for youth and sport development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe in his opening address noted that in these challenging times, the role of the youth in nation-building cannot be overemphasized stressing that the country is at a crossroads, and it is the youth’s energy, creativity, and passion that can drive the nation towards a brighter tomorrow but it is important to channel these qualities constructively, in ways that contribute to the stability and progress of our nation.

He expressed that under the visionary leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State has made significant strides in empowering the youth and since assuming office six months ago, Governor Ododo has consolidated on numerous youth-friendly policies and programs inherited from the immediate past administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, aimed at fostering inclusion, development, and prosperity.

“One of the key initiatives has been the appointment of a large number of youths into various positions within the government. This inclusive approach ensures that young voices are not only heard but are also instrumental in the decision-making processes that shape our state’s future. By involving young people in governance, we are building a bridge to a more inclusive and dynamic administration”.

Additionally, the commissioner noted that the Governor has approved the payment of subventions to all youth and student groups in the state. According to him, such financial support is intended to empower these groups to pursue their developmental agendas and engage in activities that promote the well-being of their members and the wider community.

“Furthermore, along with the free education policy being implemented at lower levels of education, the consolidation government of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo have also increased the payment of bursaries to indigenous students in tertiary institutions, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder our young scholars from achieving their academic and professional dreams” he added.

“Another area of focus has been agriculture, a sector with immense potential for youth engagement and employment. Our administration has made a huge investment in this sector, providing over 100 tractors to support youth in cultivating over 7,000 hectares of land across the state. This initiative not only creates jobs but also promotes food security and sustainable development”.

Hon. Monday noted that all these and many more which are in the offing have been made possible by the support and enablement provided by the administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu who holds Kogi State, our Governor and the entire youths in high esteem.

He added that the President Tinubu administration has been unfurling innovative and targeted initiatives to give flight to the dreams of Nigerian youths which he said is in the full apprehension of the boundless abilities, resilience, grit, and excellence of Nigeria’s bubbling youth population.

While alluding that the youth were the most valuable resource of our nation, and even with basic resources to function, they will always exceed expectations and defy every stereotype, he admonished the youth to focus on dialogue, collaboration, and constructive engagement reiterating that kogi government is committed to listening to youth’s concerns and working with them to address it.

On his part, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State chapter, Comrade Benjamin Jeremiah noted that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has, within the last six months, implemented policies aimed at mitigating the current economic challenges in the state. He noted that the youths understand the frustration and hardship faced by many across nation. However, the youths of Kogi believe that dialogue with government officials and other stakeholders can lead to more lasting solutions than protests. “We want to engage constructively and work towards practical steps that can alleviate the suffering of our people.”

He said their decision not to join the planed protest was influenced by several factors, including recent security concerns and the desire to avoid potential violence which would cause more harm than good.

“We have seen that the Kogi State government is currently implementing various policies aimed at boosting agricultural production, enhancing security, and empowering the youth. These efforts are designed to create jobs, increase food security, and provide opportunities for young people, thus addressing some of the underlying issues contributing to the economic difficulties. As youths, we are keen on not aiding people with bad intentions to disrupt this flow and set us aback, hence our decision to adopt a more peculiar and effective option of dialogue.”

The NYCN pa’s? sed a vote of confidence on Governor Ododo, describing him as “Youth Ambassador”.

While urging youths across the country to give president Tinubu time to fully implement his Renewed Hope Agenda, Comrade Jeremiah urged the president to immediately look into ways of improving the economic situation of the nation.