By Adedotun Ajayi

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Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that his administration is committed to investing in young people by providing them access to quality education, skills training, and mentorship opportunities.

He made this pledge on Tuesday while welcoming the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, to a South West Youths Stakeholders Summit at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure.

Governor Aiyedatiwa stated that youths are the backbone of any society and emphasised the importance of their growth and empowerment for a prosperous future.

The Governor added that his administration is committed to creating an environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, allowing young people to thrive and reach their full potential.

“We must invest in our young people, providing them with access to quality education, skills, training, and mentorship opportunities.

“We believe in your energy, your creativity, and your passion. We believe that you have the power to transform our communities, our state, and our country,” he said.

Governor Aiyedatiwa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing policies, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, addressing challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

He mentioned ongoing initiatives in employment, education, and youth empowerment, including the recruitment of teachers and health professionals, youth empowerment programmes in entrepreneurship and the recently launched “One Youth, One Skill” initiative.

The Governor praised the youths in the South-West region for rejecting calls for protests and maintaining peace and security. He encouraged continued collaboration to find constructive solutions to challenges.

In her remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, praised the resilience and patriotism of Nigerian youths. She highlighted the federal government’s economic reforms and initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, support for unemployed graduates, and the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund.

She urged the youths to embrace peace, support government policies, and seize opportunities for development and funding provided by initiatives like the Consumer Credit Programme.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, hailed the Minister’s decision to hold the regional youth stakeholders event in Ondo State.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Commissioner for Information, Otunba Wale Akinlosotu, and other top government functionaries.