… Promises More Youth Oriented Programmes
Lagos State Government has inaugurated the Fifth Assembly of the Lagos State Youth Parliament with a promise that more resources will be channelled towards youth-oriented programmes.
In his speech at the event which took place on Thursday at the Lateef Jakande Chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende stated that the youths under the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will enjoy special focus with “Youth Engagement” as one of the developmental pillars.
He said, “The intention behind the Youth Parliament is to prepare our youth for leadership positions. This is the bedrock of the democratic process which we are building. Mr. Governor has prioritised youth policies and programmes. The Ministry of Youth is at the forefront of this. We have ensured the best were picked for the Fifth Assembly through a rigorous and transparent process handled by the Permanent Secretary, Principal officers in the Ministry and myself. This crop of youth lawmakers will give the state top-notch performance in terms of legislative activities. We also intend to implant in them the mindset that the child of nobody can become somebody. We are building a society where every youth can succeed”.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth, Honourable Abimbola Orekoya counselled members of the Youth Parliament to be of good conduct, adhere to acceptable dress code, identify the needs in their communities and collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development in championing the cause of positively impacting the vulnerable.
On her part, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu implored the new Assembly members to live up to expectations by effectively utilising the platform offered to them through the Youth Assembly to initiate programmes that will transform the lives of youths.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “You are fortunate to be among the few chosen to represent other youths in the State. You cannot afford to take this for granted. Therefore, utilize your period as a youth lawmaker to learn, unlearn and relearn to add value to the lives of more than 10 million youths resident in Lagos State. By so doing, you would have helped in contributing your quota towards youth development because as a Ministry, we cannot do it all alone”.
In her acceptance speech, Speaker of the Fifth Assembly, Rt. Hon. Maria Itunuoluwa Soniregun promised to work assiduously with all members of the House to surpass the achievements of their predecessors.
The occasion, which had earlier witnessed the dissolution of the Fourth Assembly headed by Rt. Hon. Abayomi Ogidan, who was represented at the event by Hon. Comfort Iretioluwa Ajakaiye, was also used by the outgoing parliamentarians to present reports on key projects executed prominent among which was the Agbowa Clean Water Community Project.
