By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Youths in Ondo Kingdom have called on the House of Assembly Speaker, Oladiji Olamide to give them priority while embarking on his numerous empowerment programmes.

They made the plea at a meet-the-youth programme organised by the Speaker for youths in Ondo East and Ondo West.

The programme was meant to interact with the body of youth in Ondo East and West Federal Constituency with a view to collating their views on how best to impact on their Ives.

The forum attracted youths in Ondo city, drawn from different sections and groups .

While addressing the youth body, the Speaker thanked them for their support at all times, adding that no efforts will be spared toward emplacing them for a better future ahead.

The Speaker who was represented by his Special Assistant on Youth mobilisation, Akintayo Akinjolie enjoined the youth body to shun vices and be upright at all times in order to benefit maximally from the unfolding political agenda in Ondo State.

In their responses, the youth requested the Speaker to always push their interests in various government programmes.

While calling for regular empowerment for the youth, they called on government to prioritize bursary for students to cushion the current harsh economic situation which they claimed is randomly forcing them out of school.

The youth equally pleaded with government to do something to redress the current unemployment rate among the youth.

Others who spoke at the meeting stressed the need to be more security conscious while activities of land grabbers should be checkmated in the ancient city.

They appealed to the government to stop the current ploughing of land in some parts of Ondo West, claiming it could lead to joblessness and instigate vices among the youth.

The meet-the-youth programme is expected to come up regularly.