NAN-H-57
Development
Abeokuta, Aug. 11, 2017 (NAN) Africa’s sustainable growth and development could only be achieved when the legislative arms of member states invest in youth development through legislation.
The Speaker of Ogun House of Assembly, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, said this on Friday while declaring open the General Assembly of the 9th African Youth and Governance Conference.
The conference, which was led by Hon. Olusola Amusan, held at the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta.
Adekunbi said it was high time African leaders adopted new ideas of governance by instilling fresh perspectives to cope with the rapidly changing world order.
He decried the lip service to youth development by African leaders over the years, saying this had contributed to the slow pace of the continent’s development among its peers.
The speaker stated that it was time to wake up to the responsibility of building future leaders through mobilisation of resources to provide the best opportunities for the young generation.
He advised youths to seize the opportunity provided by the forum to prove their worth to the older generation.
The speaker gave an assurance that the communiqué issued at the General Assembly would convince African leaders of the readiness of the youths to take over the running of the affairs of the continent.
Adekunbi also commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gov. Ibikunle Amosun for their commitment to youth emancipation.
He noted that the array of youths in the assembly rekindled the hope that the future of Africa was secure.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Youth Bridge Foundation, Seth Oteng, said African youths hold the key to the continent’s integration as well as progress in leadership and governance.
He said investing in the continent’s human capital ought to be integrated into the long term development agenda of all African states.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief Coordinator, Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Ayo Aderinwale, identified poverty as the biggest problem confronting Africa.
He posited that the only antidote to poverty was wealth creation and urged the youths to always take accountability seriously while remaining focused on developmental issues.
The assembly, through its Committee on Entrepreneurship and Investment Opportunities, urged African governments to initiate and execute long-term developmental plans.
It said this should be through Independent National Development Planning Authorities with effective legal frameworks which subsequent governments should be obliged to follow.
The assembly underscored the need for public-private partnership in advancing employment generation for youths on the continent.
The assembly encouraged youths to take keen interest in Technical Vocational Education and Training as credible career options of pursuit rather than an option of last resort.(NAN)
YAF/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)