The Governor of Osun State, Goyega Oyetola has assured better youths involvement and representation in governance.
He claimed that if reelected, youths will occupy about 30 percent of his cabinet.
Oyetola, while receiving Osun youths at his office after the 20 kilometres march, expressed delight in the youths’ reciprocal gestures, adding that his administration’s prioritisation of the concerns of youths is rooted in his belief in the future of the state.
He also charged youths to embrace peace and pursue developmental objectives in the interest of the state, adding that his political ambition is not worth the blood of any Osun youth.
The governor urged the youths not to allow themselves be used by political jobbers and evildoers, “Let your future be your priority. Your future must be paramount to all of you. Don’t be instruments in the hands of the wicked.”
“Thank you for your support. You really surprised and amazed me. This is not a rally staged by the government, and this is not a rented crowd. You decided to organise these yourselves and the outcome is this massive population of grateful youths.
“This is really surprising and I am highly excited seeing thousands of youths across the State showing their unalloyed support and solidarity for our government.
“Please, don’t relent in your efforts. I want you to remain resolute in your support, don’t be distracted and don’t be deterred. We are committed to your course, and we will do more for you.
“As you all know, we have appointed capable youths among you and they are doing fine. But by the grace of God, if I am re-elected, at least 30 percent of my cabinet will be youths, Oyetola said.
Speaking at the end of the march, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs and Social Mobilisation, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji, described the walk as a token of appreciation for Oyetola’s inclusiveness of youths in governance.
“The International Youth Day affords us the opportunity of assessing our challenges and successes across the globe. In Osun, we have made a holistic review of facts and figures and it is clear that Governor Oyetola, in the history of Osun, has included the highest number of youths in governance, particularly with the recent local government appointments
“Out of 585 caretaker members across the State, the youths who are below 40years are more than 300. This is highly unprecedented and that is why we felt there is need to commend the Governor for ensuring youth inclusion in governance and for breaking the jinx of youth inclusion in the nation’s politics.
“This is to show that we are strongly behind him against internal and external aggression as we are assuring him that those that have been appointed will surely deliver”, Ayantunji said.