Governor Usman Ododo in Lokoja at an interactive session for youths organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development

Richard Elesho

As the country continues to enjoy the air of democracy, youths in Kogi State have been urged to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way to build a prosperous future.

Governor Usman Ododo made the call in Lokoja at an interactive session for youths organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development with the theme, Twenty-six Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development.

Represented by the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Suleiman Abdulrazak, the governor said it was the responsibility of everyone, not just the government alone, to play their parts for Nigeria to attain national development.

He stressed the need for youths to take advantage of the activities in the mining sector in the state to better their future.

Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, explained that President Bola Tinubu places a premium on youth empowerment, innovation, job creation, and inclusive governance that ensures that the Nigerian youths are not left behind in national progress.

Anyebe said the government under the leadership of Ododo had localised this vision through consolidation and continuity, strategic engagement, and empowerment programmes.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Information And Communications,  Kingsley Fanwo, who was represented by the Director of Information Services in the ministry, Ademu Seidu Haruna, urged the youths to ensure they participate in all democratic processes so that democracy will continue to thrive.

Keynote speaker at the event, Doctor Olayemi Michael Sunday, said the democracy day celebration was a day geared towards reawakening a national consciousness that ensures democracy in Nigeria is growing and developing.

He recommended that the political class should govern not by force but by example and appealed to them to build institutions and ensure transparency in governance.