Niyi Akande, Osogbo.
Dr Akin Ogunbiyi has reiterated that empowering the youth and making education more inclusive is crucial to achieving sustainable development in Osun State.
The chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party in the state said this in a press statement commemorating this year World Humanitarian Day. He also harped on the need to ensure that developmental drives in the state are human-centred and people-oriented.
According to the statement which was signed and made available to pressmen in Osogbo, the capital of the state by Ismail Afolabi, Monday, Ogunbiyi charged the state governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on integrated development, stressing that empowering people, especially the youth, is the sine-qua-non of authentic development.
“Osun exhibits peculiar economic crisis. At least, three out of every 10 homes in Osun needs intervention while the worst hit are the vulnerable children and helpless youths. As a result, the youth who are making efforts on their own must be supported.”
“Also, from all indications, significant efforts are still required to make education systems more inclusive and accessible. For a fact, now is the time that bursary is crucial to Osun indigenes in higher institutions considering the economic distress and hardship faced by indigent students in various higher institutions.”
“This view is underscored by the fact that no state can build peaceful societies and boast of major developments without empowering the youth as well as investing in poverty eradication programmes and social equality.”
“Our dear state must, therefore, respect the diverse needs and the abilities of Osun people especially the youth and put in place, programmes that reflect and embrace these unique realities and identities,” he maintained.
Ogunbiyi, thereafter, commended humanitarians in the state for their concerns for the welfare of Osun people. He lauded their undying contributions in making the state a better place.
Celebrated every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day is aimed at honouring humanitarian efforts worldwide and propagating the idea of supporting people in distress.
