As part of a week-long celebration
commemorating Governor Kayode Fayemi’s first anniversary in office, a youth
symposium was organized to enable youths in Ekiti State interact with the
governor and also to create an opportunity for the governor to unveil his plans
for the state’s youths.
The forum, “Ekiti Youth Conversation With Mr
Governor” was held at the Abiodun Adetiloye Hall of the State Trade Fair
Complex, Ado Ekiti.
The programme involved youths drawn from different parts of
the state, including serving corps members, students, students union leaders,
young professionals, artisans and members of
youth-based organisations. The youths who filled the hall to the brim,
engaged the Governor for about two-and-half hours with questions bordering on
governance, employment, economy and education, security and other pertinent
issues. Gov. Fayemi said his administration was concerned about job creation
and economic empowerment for the youths hence the various initiatives he had
put in place to enhance their status. The Governor explained that apart from
giving out government jobs, his administration was also attracting investors to
boost the state’s investment profile and create jobs for the youths.
At the forum, the governor assured youth of the state of his
administration’s commitment to invest in them, in order to make them contribute
positively to the economic wellbeing of the state as well as their individual
development.
Gov. Fayemi said the younger generation is an important
segment of the population that must be positively engaged to contribute
significantly to governance and socio-economic development of the state.
The governor highlights his efforts in attracting
investments to the state which in turn will create job and business opportunities.
Some of the investments includes the reviving of the Ikun Dairy Farm by
Promasidor Limited who will be setting up a milk producing factory.
He also revealed that his administration through the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was working with Dangote,
Coscharis and Stallion Group Industries
Limited to set up a rice mill in the state to create jobs, adding that the
state has a comparative advantage in rice production. Besides, Fayemi stated that
two cassava processing companies are setting up shops in the state to absorb
cassava produce in the state, assuring members of the Youth and Commercial
Agricultureal development (YCAD).
Gov. Fayemi also said assured the
youths of inclusive governance while mentioning that the recently resuscitated
Youth parliament at the Ekiti State House of Assembly is a clear indication
that the state government takes youth matters as paramount.
While fielding questions from
participants at the event, the Governor said that youths must tap into
opportunities provided by the government as activities on project and business
financing are in top gear, adding that Ekiti State Microfinance and Enterprise
Development Agency (MEDA) is launching the Agric/Small and Medium Enterprise
Investment Scheme to train 4,500 youths on business financing and management
while the Central Bank of Nigeria provides loans for the youths.
He also noted that youths should
be law-abiding to avoid being scrutinized by security agencies. He asked them
to shun political violence, Gender-Based Violence to ensure a peaceful state.
At the
closing stage of the event, the Governor inaugurated the Ekiti Youth
Anti-Social Vices Club headed by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports.
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