Honourable Wasilat Adegoke, Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, attended a high-level consultative meeting with fellow State Commissioners of Youth and Commissioners responsible for youth affairs in Abuja. The meeting, which took place on Friday, August 30th, 2024, at the prestigious Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre, aimed to facilitate inter-state collaboration and strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships in anticipation of the upcoming National Council on Youth.
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim Bio, convened a high-level meeting to discuss the vital roles and responsibilities of state governments in implementing and domesticating the ministry’s policies and programs. The meeting focused on the following key initiatives: The Restructured Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), aimed at providing financial support to young entrepreneurs. The 30% Youth Quota on all Federal Government appointments, designed to increase youth representation in government. The Presidential Initiatives on Youth Enterprise Clusters (PIYEC), focused on creating job opportunities and promoting youth entrepreneurship
These initiatives are critical components of the Federal Government’s comprehensive youth development agenda, aimed at empowering Nigerian youth and fostering their socio-economic development.The consultative meeting is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which mandates the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to create enabling opportunities for Nigerian youth through entrepreneurship, skills development, empowerment, and engagement initiatives.
Speaking at the program, Honourable Wasilat Adegoke, Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, emphasized the significance of the event and its alignment with Governor Seyi Makinde’s roadmap for Sustainable Development in Oyo State. She meticulously highlighted the four cardinal areas of focus, which align seamlessly with Governor Seyi Makinde’s roadmap for Sustainable Development in Oyo State, namely: Youth Empowerment as Governor Makinde is fostering an enabling environment for young people to acquire requisite skills, knowledge, and resources to become economically independent and self-sufficient.
“In addition to his efforts in youth empowerment, Governor Makinde is prioritizing education and capacity building for young individuals. Through strategically designed training programs and capacity-building initiatives, he is augmenting the skills and cognitive abilities of youth, thereby equipping them for leadership positions and productive participation in the economy”
Honourable Adegoke noted that on the entrepreneurship development, Governor Makinde is providing catalytic support to young entrepreneurs, enabling them to establish and grow sustainable businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth as we as the health and well-being by promoting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of young people, ensuring they are equipped to thrive in all aspects of life.
Honourable Adegoke emphasized that these strategic areas are fundamental to Governor Makinde’s vision for sustainable development in Oyo State, and that the event marks a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving this vision.
The Oyo State Commissioner’s attendance at this meeting underscores the state government’s commitment to youth development and empowerment, and its readiness to collaborate with the federal government to create opportunities for Oyo State youth.
