Onoja emphasises youth inclusion in governance in Idah LGA »

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja has emphasised the need for the youth to be given the opportunity to serve in major government policies and programmes as a way of ensuring sustainable, gradual human development.

Chief Onoja gave the advice on Tuesday in idah at a reception organised at the Palace of Attah Igala’s Civic Centre in honour of the recently appointed administrator for the council, Hon Abubakar Odoma.

He said the youth possess the energy and capacity required to move any society forward, noting that any form of governance that is anchored on them is usually successful, saying that their inclusion has the tendency to help fight several vices.

The Deputy Governor called on the administrator to identify and recognise genuine leaders with track records and the interest of people at heart, respect them and include them in the scheme of things for the smooth running of his administration.

He urged the administrator to also give high priority to prompt and regular payment of the Local Government staff salaries as they were the heart of the administration at that level, adding that the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello does not treat such matter with levity.

The Deputy Governor further enjoined Hon Odoma to also take prayers seriously and give due regards to the religious leaders of both Islamic and Christian faiths.

He then advised the people to desist from rumour mongering and pulling others down, saying the present administration frowns at all acts of Pull Him Down, rumour mongering and gossip because they don’t bring any form of development to the society.

In his own remarks, the immediate past Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in the state, Hon Salisu Sani Ogu appealed to elites from the area to make the security of ldah Local Government a collective concern and use their individual mights to mentor the younger generation in that regard.

He said apart from the poliical office holders, ldah is blessed with many highly placed sons and daughters that could absorb a significant number of youths across the Civil Service, Private Sector and Vocational endeavors, adding that it is time for all stakeholders to join hands with those who are already making similar efforts.

Hon Sani Ogu then used the opportunity to express gratitude to the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other APC stakeholders for their show of support when he served as Commissioner in the ministries of Transportation and Youth and Sports Development respectively.

Present at the event was the member representing Idah State Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Suleiman Atajachi Musa, the administrator of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Hon Friday Nicodemus Adejoh, former member that represented Idah State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Haruna Idoko Musa, former aides to the Governor from the area, APC stalwarts among others.