By Femi Atolagbe
|
Youth Organisations in Ondo State have been advised to register with the State Government in order to be recognised by the government.

Commissioner for Sports Development and Youth Affairs, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye gave the advice in Akure while playing host to leaders of youth organisations from Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas in his office.

Ogunleye said the measure had become inevitable for data collection of the youth in the state.

“Every of your group must register with the State government through this ministry. We need to know the number of these organisations for collaboration purposes.

The ministry wants to know these bodies so that they will be co-opted into the activities and programmes of the government.

The government is determined to get every organisation in our data bank, irrespective of political or religious affiliation.

All of them will have a sense of belonging as an organisation to do business with the government.

Every youths organisation that fails to register is not known by the government.”

He reiterated government’s plan to make them useful to themselves and the society at large.

“Government owes the young ones a responsibility of good leadership.

That is why youths are being encouraged to do away with all manners of time-wasting endeavours.

It is on record that this government does not encourage thuggery.

The youth can make better use of their time by learning a skill in one of the windows of opportunities available.”

 “Let me restate government’s determination to take our youth off the streets. We do not want them to be used for thuggery either.

This is why we are harnessing every avenue to get them trained and empowered towards becoming responsible.

Earlier, the Chairman, Niger Delta Youth Movement, Mr. Adetoye Agbetoye had appealed to the state government to always involve youths of the riverine area of the state in its programmes.