Youths in Benue State have urged the state government to, as matter of urgency, sponsor a bill for a Law to Establish Benue State Youth Development Commission.
The youths say they want a commission away from the Ministry of Youth and Sports
where more attention is given to sports than the welfare of the youth.
This is part of the communique reached at the end of the three day Benue youth summit organized by state government to address youth agitations arising from the recent EndSARS Protest.
The youths said the proposed commission should be headed by a competent youth not older than 35 years.
“Government should in addition to keeping an eye on Agricultural sector, provide Agricultural incentives, farming inputs, fertilizers, improved seedlings and encourage mechanized farming through improvement of access to farm machinery to boost productivity.
“We demand the immediate formulation and implementation of a State Youth Development Policy detailing explicitly the 60% Affirmative Action for Youths involvement in governance and the remaining 40% for the purpose of mentorship.
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“This policy will be domesticated and implemented by the Youth Development Commission we seek to be established,” the Communique read in part.
The youths, among other demands, also urged government to creat an enabling infrastructural environment for businesses to thrive by building skills acquisition centers in all 23 local government areas of the state and curb multiple/illegal taxation on Agricultural produce to enable young starters grow.
They, therefore, advised young people to shun laziness and learn a skill or embrace agribusiness in patience, integrity and discipline as impetus that will lift them out of poverty.
The Communique was signed by the drafting Committee Chaired by Irene Awunah, Peters Shakumeh, Secretary, as well as Dooshima Uza, Timothy Hembaor and Anderson Iji who are members.
Speaking at the the closing ceremony of the summit, Governor Samuel Ortom commended the youths for their high level of coordination saying he was very encouraged by their attitude.
He said he has discovered from the summit that nobody has monopoly of knowledge as he has learnt a lot just as he regretted not organizing the summit earlier than now.
The Governor who pledged that their views and observation will be taken seriously disclosed that the Central Planning Committee, CPC, and State EXCO will organize a retreat so that the views can be better incorporated into government.
He noted that all their views, if implemented will take Benue to greater heights.
