By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has charged Ekiti youths not to despair despite the multifaceted challenges confronting the nation and making the future looks bleak.

The Governor specifically advised the youth to be hopeful for a better future and refrain from being despondent due to the current socio-economic situations, exuding confidence that Nigeria is destined to be great and requires the sacrifices of all patriotic citizens for it to assume that status.

Oyebanji said this in Ado Ekiti, during a programme tagged “Youth, let’s Us Talk With BAO”, a political acronym for Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as part of the activities marking the first anniversary of his administration.

The venue of the event, Adetiloye Hall, located within the precinct of the Ekiti State Trade Fair complex, was filled to the brim with members of various respectable youth and students’ groups drawn across the 16 local government areas of the state.

While answering some of the questions posed to him, Oyebanji advised the youth not to wait for instant solutions to all their problems, urging them to key into available opportunities created by government in sports, arts and culture and other sectors of the economy and stop scouting for shut cuts to success.

“As youths, learn how to discipline yourselves. Don’t be selfish. Try and have good and sound morality. Try and step out of your comfort zones and go through self denials. But are you ready to go through the furnace? If you can’t do these, you can’t be in position of leadership.

“I know the capacity of our youths, if I partner you, it is going to be a win-win situation. This government will continue to accord you respect, because you have shown great understanding. I know you have expectations. This government owes you a great deal, we will partner you to ensure we navigate this path together”

Speaking further, Oyebanji said his government will soon roll roll out well structured marketing strategy to control astronomic increase in prices of goods and commodities and making lives difficult for the commoners.

The Governor said the Ekiti State Electricity Bill will be signed into law in a matter of days to ensure that state extends electricity to area that are short supplied, particularly the government institutions like the Ekiti State University will benefit from such gesture.

He said his government will liaise with the Governing Councils of the Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, for possible reduction in the tuition fees payable in the citadels of learning.

Oyebanji promised to sign the Local Contents Bill into Law to prevent capital flight and mandates contractors to tap into potentials available in Ekiti, rather than going to other states to hire labour.

On job creation for the jobless teeming youth population, the governor expressed readiness to provide security and good road facility for investors, so that employment can alsobe generated from the private sector to reinforce what the government is offering.