COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST OSUN STATE YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETING FOR THE YOUTHS OF OSUN STATE, HELD AT THE WOCDIF CENTRE, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE, FROM DECEMBER 16TH – 17TH, 2009

The First Osun State Youth Town Hall Meeting was held in Osun State from December 16th – 17th, 2009, with the theme: “Towards a Better Future: The Roles of Nigerian Youths.”
2. The Day One featured the Opening Session which was declared by His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Taiwo Sunmonu. Thereafter, Lecture Presentation Session was followed.
3. Day Two was exclusively for an Interactive Session between the Honourable Members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament and the Youth delegates from Osun State. The delegation was based on the registered Voluntary Youth Organisations and twenty (20) participants from each Local Government Areas of Osun State.
4. The Interactive Session was centred around five (5) Thematic Issues with particular attention to their relationships with Youth Development in Osun State. These are: Self Appraisal; Unemployment; Education; Health and; Youth Involvement in Policy Formulation.
5. Consequent upon the (4) above, the Meeting deliberated and unanimously came up with the following Resolutions: That:
The Osun State Government should see to the creation of a full – fledged MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT in Osun State.
The Osun State Government should provide vocational training centres.
The Osun State Government should encourage foreign and local investors.
The Osun State Government should re –open the technical schools and re – habilitate the existing ones.
The youth should embark on self – employment and develop their entrepreneurial skills.
The Osun State Government should provide more basic infrastructures at all levels of education.
The Osun State Government should provide adequate supervisors for schools and make available training and re – training of teachers.
There should be drastic reduction in the school fees of the students at the Osun State University.
The Osun State Government should re – structure educational curriculum to reflect the practical side of the curriculum.

Moral instructions should be revisited in schools through civic education.
The Osun State Government should encourage voluntary youth organisations in schools and provide them with necessary materials to curb moral decadence.
Government should provide youth – friendly centres in each Local Government Areas of Osun State.
Youth should come out en – mass in order to perform civic duties & rights and shun violence during elections.
The Osun State Government should re – introduce Environmental Sanitation and allow voluntary youth organisations to supervise in the State.
Youths should be involved in policy – making at all levels of Government.
The Government should equip the existing health centres and build more.
The civil servants should be well remunerated.
The Osun State Government should encourage and sponsor Youth Town Hall Meetings so as to give the youths of Osun State the opportunity to contribute their quotas towards moving the State forward.
The Government should encourage youths in Agricultural Programmes.
6. Acknowledgement: The conference acknowledged the sponsorship received from the Government of Osun State. Likewise, appreciated the technical and logistic supports extended by the collaborator of this historic event, the Osun State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency. It also expressed gratitude to all the individuals and corporate bodies who believed in the visions of the organisers of this project, the Osun State Representatives at the Nigerian Youth Parliament (Hon. Isiaka Olamilekan Popoola – Osun Central, Hon. Jimoh Abiola – Osun West and Hon. Tinuola Awosemo – Osun East). Appreciations in deed are to the Honourable Members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament who travelled from far distances to grace the occasion; the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Osun State Chapter) for their “young shall grow” leadership style; the Central Planning Committee Members for their dedications towards making the project a reality and a host of others.





SIGNED:

Hon. Isiaka Olamilekan Popoola                                                         Mr. Wale Falajiki 
on behalf of the Osun State Representatives                                         on behalf of the CPC Members

WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED DURING THE FIRST OSUN STATE YOUTH TOWN HALL

A WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE OSUN STATE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE NIGERIAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST OSUN STATE YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETING HELD AT THE WOCDIF CENTRE, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE, ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 2009

Protocols.
Youth participation in governance and decision making is a key ingredient of democracy and a prerequisite for sustainable development. The Nigerian Youth Parliament responds to this imperative by providing a mechanism for synthesizing ideas into constructive policy and legislative proposals to various arms of government and one of such ways of achieving these dreams are through the instrument of YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

Since the inception of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, the Parliament has held two National Youth Town Hall Meetings in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State (for the 17 southern states in Nigeria) and Bauchi, Bauchi State (for the 19 northern states in Nigeria). A replica of such Meetings is hereby being presented in Osun State to afford the Youths of the State the opportunities to express their feelings on youth-related thematic issues and call for government’s interventions. This edition is the first to be held at the States’ level, throughout the country.

Osun State Youth Town Hall Meeting was designed to update the youths of Osun State on the activities of the Nigerian Youth Parliament; it serves as a constituency-based feedback mechanism on our activities as Youth Legislators and; it also calls for progressive brainstorming sessions among our colleagues on matters that are of great benefits to our physical, mental and socio-economic developments. The Meeting will generate robust debates on youth issues and further strengthen the youth voice in Nigeria’s democratic processes. The Meeting brings together the Honourable Members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament and Osun State Youths whose ages falls from (18 – 40) years.

The dream towards a Better Future of Nigeria is not only dependent on the adults but also heavily rest on the shoulders of the Nigerian Youths. We, as youths of today and leaders of tomorrow, have realised the challenges ahead of us and we are more than prepared to assist our dear country in actualization of her dreams towards national sustainable developments. The outcome of our national Town Hall Meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, brought about amnesty for the Niger – Delta Militants and that of Bauchi, Bauchi State resulted into the Federal Government’s re – energised commitments on the Reform of the Almajiri System of Education. This is our goal and we cannot just sit – back without being active in nation building and we will all join hands together to achieve it! In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, he said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” In another version, Thomas Jefferson said: “if we cannot prepare the future for the youths, we can at least prepare the youths for the future.” It is thus imperative that the youths are given every opportunity to contribute their strengths towards a better Nigeria.

Mr. Chairman and the listeners, please let me use this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the motivations and supports received from the Osun State Government under His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the Executive Governor of Osun State; Ministry of Information and Youth Development, Osun State; and the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Yakub Oni. Also, we want to sincerely appreciate the encouragements received from the leadership of the Nigerian Youth Parliament under the speakership of Hon. Luke Onofiok. Likewise, our mother, Chief (Mrs.) Remi Wilson, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Osun State, who strongly believes in building capacities in the Nigerian youth. Today, mama doubles as The Chief Host and a Guest Speaker! We sincerely appreciate your efforts towards a fruitful collaboration of this programme with your office.

The Chairman of this occasion, dignitaries on the high table, distinguished Honourable Members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, the respected delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is on this note that we want to humbly WELCOME you all to this epoch event as we are all witnessing the Osun State Representatives at the Nigerian Youth Parliament championing a new course on The Roles of Nigerian Youths Towards a Better Future.

Lastly, dear delegates, the Interactive Session of this programme offers a real opportunity to the youths of Osun State by making their own opinions felt and to learn for oneself the benefits of operating in a democratic framework. Communiqué will be issued at the end of the programme and its contents will be followed to the later by launching a clarion call campaign on the yearnings and aspirations of the Osun State youths to the concerned authorities at different levels of government. Therefore, we urge you all to give your strict attention to the matters on the agenda and please be reminded that the people of Osun State are eagerly waiting for the outcome of our deliberations. We wish you a productive Meeting.

Thank You all and you are most Welcome!!!

Signed: Hon. Isiaka Olamilekan Popoola
On behalf of the Osun State Representatives at the NYP

1ST OSUN STATE YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETING

THE OSUN STATE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE NIGERIAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT

in collaboration with
OSUN STATE DIRECTORATE OF NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA)

Presents

1ST OSUN STATE YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETING

THEME: “TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE: THE ROLES OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS”

SUB-THEMES
• Unleashing Young People’s Potentials for Development
• Building the Nation through Capacity Buildings in the Youth
• The Roles of Nigerian Youths in Strengthening Democratic System of Government

(A) INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian Youth Parliament is a youth legislative platform inaugurated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, on the 25th of August, 2008. The parliament consist of 109 distinguished Youth Legislators from the Senatorial districts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in which Youth legislators from the three Senatorial districts in Osun State are actively representing the youths of the State. The Parliament is a medium through which Nigerian Youth are being involved in government’s policy formulation and implementation at the national level.

(B) PROGRAMME’S GOAL
According to a reliable statistics, Nigerian Youths constitute over 60% of the Nigeria’s total population and hence signifying the important position the youth are holding in our country. Thus, the programme was designed, among others, to update the youths on the activities of the Nigerian Youth Parliament; it serves as a feedback mechanism to the youths and; it also calls for progressive brainstorming sessions among youths on matters that are of great benefits to their physical, mental and socio-economic developments.

(C) PROGRAMME’S OBJECTIVES
The strategic objectives of the Youth Town Hall Meeting are:
1 To further strengthen the youth’s voice in Nigeria democratic process by building an active constituency for the work of the Nigerian Youth Parliament in its activities.
2 To provide an opportunity for building consensus among youths from diverse interest groups and between other stakeholders across the country.
3 To give the leader of the Nigerian Youth Parliament a first-hand opportunity to interact with and understand the issues affecting different youth constituencies.
4 To proffer solutions to the rising trend of Youth restiveness by creating a channel of opinion ventilation for Youth.

(D) TARGET AUDIENCE
• All youths of Osun State whose ages fall from (18 – 40) years
• The 109 distinguished Honourable Members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament
• The recognised youth-related organisations / associations in Osun State

(E) DAY 1: Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
• ACTIVITIES: (i) Opening Ceremony
(ii) Paper Presentations
(iii) Review on the Activities of Osun State Representatives @ NYP

• GUEST SPEAKERS:
(i) Prof. Akinrinade, The Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Osogbo
(ii) Chief (Mrs.) Remi Wilson, The State Director, National Orientation Agency, Osun State
(iii) Prof. Wale Oladipo, Chairman, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board

• THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DAY
His Excellency, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, The Executive Governor of Osun State

• THE SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR
Sen. Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Abuja

• THE CHIEF HOST
Alhaja Adejoke Aderinto, Hon. Commissioner for Information & Youth Development, Osun State

• ROYAL FATHERS OF THE DAY:
(i) His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuade, The Ooni of Ife
(ii) H.R.M., Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, The Timi of Ede – land
(iii) H.R.M., Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, The Ogiyan of Ejigbo-land
(iv) H.R.M., Oba Morufu Magbagbeola, The Olufon of Ifon – Orolu kingdom

• GUESTS OF HONOUR
(i) Hon. (Barr.) Bello Adejare, The Honourable Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly
(ii) Alhaji Idi Farouk, Director General, National Orientation Agency, Abuja
(iii) Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, ALGOn Chairman, Osun State
(iv) Alh. Mustapha Ajisafe, The Chairman, League of Imams & Alfas in South-West, Edo & Delta States
(v) Pa. A.O. Akinosun, The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter
(vi) Alh. Yakub Oni, The Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter
(vii) The State Director, National Directorate of Employment, Osun State Directorate
(viii) The General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority, Osogbo, Osun State
(ix) The General Manager, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Oke Baale, Osogbo


• VENUE: Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF) Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo, Osun State

• TIME: 10:00 a.m prompt

(F) DAY 2: Wednesday, December 17th, 2009
• ACTIVITIES: (i) Interactive Session with the Youth Legislators
(ii) Documentary Film Show on Nigeria’s legislature

• THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DAY
Hon. Luke Onofiok, The Honourable Speaker, Nigerian Youth Parliament

• VENUE: NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, Osun State

• TIME: 10:00 a.m prompt


This auspicious event is FREE for all. Should you be interested in attending or sponsoring, please contact the following for further details:

Mr. Wale Falajiki (08066362555) Miss. Shoyemi Abiodun (08060686872)
Chairman, Central Planning Committee Secretary, Central Planning Committee