The Oyo State Government has expressed commitment towards promoting youth work practice in the state.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Seun Fakorede, at the Oyo Pubic Symposium on Youth Work which held last Friday at the University of Ibadan.
The symposium was organised to mark the 2019 Commonwealth Youth Work Week themed “Youth Work in Action” and also commemorate the 10th founding Anniversary of Building Nations Initiative (BNI).
Speaking at the event, Fakorede encouraged youth workers in the state to embrace partnership towards addressing youth challenges in the state. He expressed the commitment of the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde, to empowering young people in the state.
In her own speech, the chairperson, Presidential Committee on Control of Codeine (PCCC) and Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku encouraged the education and training of youth towards combating the menace of youth drug abuse.
She further advocated increased awareness on youth drug abuse through multi-stakeholders’ partnership between academic institutions, government, private, and youth work organisations.
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While welcoming the participants, President/CEO, Building Nations Initiative, Pharm John Oluwadero, explained youth work practice to be a process and not just an event. This was echoed by all speakers during the symposium.
Associate Professor at Faculty of Veterinary, Dr Olatoye, who spoke on parenting, stressed the impact of good parenting in facilitating youth work practice. He highlighted the values that parents and guardians have the responsibility of passing to younger generations.
At the stakeholders’ interactive session, the Director of Youth mobilisation at the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, highlighted the activities of the agency, and registration procedures for youth work organisations in the state.
“The commitment of the Agency is towards promoting youth work practice in the state,” he stressed.
Youth workers at the symposium highlighted their challenges, needs, and aspirations towards demonstrating excellence in youth work.
They expressed their commitment to capacity strengthening of youth workers, strategic coordination and regulation of youth work through youth work policy, and partnership for youth work development.
About 106 youth workers representing 42 youth work organisations attended the symposium, some of which include National Youth Council of Nigeria, Oyo State; Youth Friendly Centre, University of Ibadan; One African Child; FAME Initiative; Sozo Network; NASFAT Cadet; Girls Guides; Boys Scout; Boys & Girls Brigade; Man O’ War, National Youth Service Corp; Junior Achievement Nigeria; Volunteer Hub Africa; JCI; AIESIEC; among many others.
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