The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday reiterated his administration’s focus in ensuring education and participation of the youths in governance.
Obaseki stated this while speaking at an interactive session with Edo State youths held to mark the 2023 Democracy Day and the inauguration of the new executives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Edo State Chapter, headed by Comrade Moses Agwinede Joseph.
The event, which was held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City, attracted youths from the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
Obaseki said his administration is concerned about the youths and has put in place policies and plans in order to create an enabling environment that will engineer them into full participation in public affairs not only in Edo State but in the country at large.
He cited the digitalization of Edo State as an innovation by his administration to ensure that Edo youths are connected digitally, which he described as the future.
“This is the reason for installing the Wi-Fi in various public spaces such as Urhokpota Hall, Civil Service Commission, Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Nursing School Sapele Road,” he said.
He further said that “by October this year, all local governments in the state will have access to free Wi-Fi”.
Speaking on education, Obaseki pointed out that Edo State has the least out-of-school children in Nigeria which, according to him, is a testament to his administration’s effort to ensure that youths of the state have access to quality education.
”How do we ensure we youths participate in governance? Governance doesn’t start from the top; it starts at the bottom such as schools. So, whatever you are doing in the National Youth Council, or groups you represent, you must ensure at least by SS1 level, your associations or organizations begin to take root in our schools,” he told the youths.
Other speakers at the occasion included Rev Olu Martins, Prof Eddy Eghaghe, among others.
Rev. Martins, who led the opening prayer, said though the times were difficult, there were still those working to better the lives of Nigerians.
“This is a difficult time to not just be a Nigerian but to be a youth. Nigeria is challenging but we are glad that in the midst of the challenge, we have people who have risen up like phoenix and who are attempting to change the fortune of the Nigerian people,” he said.
A special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth Matters, who was identified as Comrade Jude, applauded Governor Obaseki for creating an enabling environment for the youths to thrive in governance. He also congratulated and urged the newly inaugurated NYCN chairman and executives to carry out their responsibilities with courage.
Eromosele Joseph, a representative of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters Nigeria (ASLIN), stated that young people living with disability should not be discriminated against but should be given opportunities to work and hold important positions in the political sphere.
Earlier, Governor Obaseki had said his administration has People Living With Disability (PLWDs) in heart and he would frown against any association or organization that discriminates against them.
