By Muslimat Itopa
Youth leaders in Kogi State have commended Governor Ahmed Ododo over his administration’s achievements in security, youth empowerment, education and sports, saying his policies have created opportunities for young people and fostered peace across the state.
The commendation was made when the governor met representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State chapter, and members of the NYCN Elders’ Advisory Council at the Government House, Lokoja.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, said the state’s achievements in sports, education and economic development stemmed from the prevailing peace and security in Kogi.
He said Ododo’s deployment of military personnel to strategic locations across the state had strengthened public confidence and improved the safety of lives and property.
Describing the governor as “Mr Security,” Anyebe said Kogi had remained relatively peaceful despite security challenges in other parts of the country.
He noted that Kogi indigenes were currently benefiting from an international scholarship programme in China, describing it as an investment in exposing beneficiaries to global knowledge and technology.
Anyebe noted that Kogi athletes recently returned from national competitions with over 30 medals, which he attributed to the administration’s investment in sports.
The NYCN chairman in the state, Abdurahaman Abdulmumini, commended the governor for prioritising youth welfare and inclusion in governance.
He urged the government to appoint more youths and members of the Elders’ Advisory Council into strategic positions, saying this would strengthen governance and policy implementation.
Abdulmumini also proposed a Kogi State Youth Summit in August, which he said would bring together government officials, investors, security experts and young innovators to discuss unemployment, insecurity and entrepreneurship.
He requested 50 tricycles from the government as an empowerment initiative to generate revenue for youth programmes across the state’s 21 local government areas.
The Chairman of the NYCN Elders’ Forum in the state, Doctor Haroon Opotu, praised Governor Ododo for building on the achievements of previous administrations and appointing youths into key government positions.
He also appealed for mobility support for members of the Elders’ Advisory Council.
Responding, Governor Ododo thanked the youth leaders for their support and commitment to sustaining peace in the state.
He said his administration remained committed to delivering practical results and improving citizens’ welfare through people-oriented policies.
The governor described the proposed Kogi Youth Project and the planned youth summit as commendable, and assured the delegation of government support for youth engagement programmes.
He urged young people to continue providing security agencies with credible information to help combat crime, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between citizens and security operatives.
Governor Ododo assured the delegation that their requests including increased subvention for the NYCN, mobility support and youth inclusion in governance would receive consideration.
The governor also endorsed the Kogi Youth Security Summit and unveiled a proposed plan for a Kogi Youth House.
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