Kogi Youth Townhall Meeting Kicks Off with Robust Engagement »

The Kogi Youth Townhall Meeting began today in Kogi Central Senatorial District, with Okene, Okehi and Adavi Local Government Areas hosting the first in the series of engagements designed to strengthen dialogue between government officials and young people across the state.

Organized through the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the initiative aims to provide a platform for youths to directly appraise the performance of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration and share their ideas, challenges, and expectations.

The event in Okene, Okehi and Adavi witnessed a large turnout of young people who engaged government officials in frank discussions, with many commending the administration of Governor Ododo for its achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education, civil service welfare, and youth and women inclusion and empowerment.

Participants who were drawn from various wards in the state praised the government’s responsiveness and shared suggestions to further improve service delivery and youth opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, thanked the youths for their orderly conduct and active participation. He explained that the townhall meeting was conceived to deepen participatory governance and ensure the administration’s plans reflect the needs of the people.

Hon. Monday Anyebe, Com. for Youth and Sports dev

Highlighting the achievements of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in less than two years in office, the Commissioner noted that over 2,000 youths have been trained in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills with provision of starter packs, with many also employed in government offices. He said the administration has made the state increasingly attractive for investment through enhanced security, including the provision of vehicles and gadgets to security agencies.

Other achievements cited included the distribution of tractors, fertilizers, seedlings and farm seedlings to boost agriculture; upgrade of over 200 primary healthcare centres across the state and ongoing improvements to infrastructure. Honourable Anyebe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of citizens and to delivering the dividends of democracy equitably.

He urged the youths to continue supporting the administration of Governor Ododo, assuring them that all feedback gathered during the townhall sessions would be compiled and presented to the Governor to inform policy decisions and strengthen service delivery.

After the engagement in Okene, the townhall meeting train moved to Okehi Local Government Area before concluding the day’s schedule at Adavi Local Government Area.

The townhall meetings are planned to hold across all 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State in the coming weeks, as part of the government’s drive to foster inclusive governance and meaningful youth participation in policy development.