Stakeholders in Kogi State have held a one-day consultative meeting on youth development and empowerment in Lokoja.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders in the youth development sector to discuss strategies for improving coordination and collaboration in youth development and empowerment programmes in the state.
The meeting, under the theme “Action for Effective Coordination and Collaboration Among Relevant Stakeholders on Youth Development and Empowerment Project Intervention,” aimed to strengthen youth involvement in governance and ensure active participation in the state’s budget formulation process.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Anyebe, described the meeting as a significant step toward fostering unity and purpose among youth organizations in the state.
He stressed that the administration of Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to putting the youth at the forefront of development efforts.
Our aim is to ensure that youth concerns are prioritized in the 2025 state budget, and we are dedicated to creating a shared vision for youth development,” Anyebe said.
He also highlighted that the government’s commitment to youth is reflected in the high percentage of youth appointments in government positions.
Hon. Anyebe further noted that the government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is focused on a transformative shift in leadership, with over 85 percent of recent appointments made of youth.
“This is a government of the youth, by the youth, and for the youth,” he declared. He encouraged young people to seize this opportunity and engage fully with the administration’s programs aimed at improving their lives and future prospects.
Acknowledging past challenges in youth participation, the commissioner expressed confidence that the current administration is revitalizing the political engagement of young people in the state, adding that the youth have taken on the mantle of leadership, and they are now more aware of their role in shaping the future of Kogi State.
He called on the youth to remain committed, peaceful, and law-abiding while contributing to the development of the state.
In his remark, Okwutepa Aminu, the Executive Director of Lugard Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative, explained that the goal of the meeting was to initiate a broader conversation on the coordination of youth-focused programmes in the state.
“We want to establish a framework where young people are not just beneficiaries but active participants in governance, particularly in the budgeting process,” Aminu stated.
He emphasized that youth development is a collective responsibility and that sustainability in their participation is crucial for the state’s future growth.
The meeting concluded with a call to action, as stakeholders stressed the importance of sustained collaboration and a unified approach to achieving the ultimate goal of youth empowerment and development in Kogi State.
