Emwanta Urge Youths  to Make Edo Great Again…Laud Election of New Executive for NYCN

Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Gender Issues, Hon. Andrew Emwanta Esq. JP has urged youths in the state  to have the greater  interest to Make Edo Great Again just as he  commended the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN Edo State Chapter for successfully organizing a congress that has elected a new executive for the council

The Commissioner  who made the commendation during a thank you visit by the NYCN Edo state chapter, led by the chairman, Sarah Igunbor to the Ministry said, Edo state is  blazing the trail in the country for the success of the election of young persons in the executive.

According to him, “there was no victor nor vanquished in the election because the greater interest is the Edo interest. It is our duty at all times whether as youth leaders or those in government to make our state great again.”

“The beauty of democracy is that minority will have their say through protest and majority will have their way through voting. That is what played out and is still playing out, but it is the duty of the new executive to extend the olive branch to everyone.

“The ship is big enough to accommodate everyone,  whatever their interest are, that is why it is called leadership, but it should be noted that  this is the freest and fairest election and we call on those to organize the national congress to come to Edo state to learn how elections are conducted.

Emwanta who was flanked by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Peter Osagie and other Directors of the Ministry, said it was the decisions  of the management of the youth body  that the congress should be held following the constitution.

“But some persons who they call ancestors, who have been meddling in the affairs of the Council wrote to us saying that they were going to Portharcout for another event and because of that the congress cannot hold.

“The decision was made by management and it is only another management meeting that can adjust those decision or override the decision already taken for the congress to hold.  Those calling for a postponement needed to go through that process of the management meeting which they were not ready to do” the Commissioner noted.

While calling on the newly elected youth leadership to bring together everybody, Hon Emwanta said, “though at times it is not possible to bring together everybody because some peoples interest are political in nature, as they say uneasy lies the head that  wears the crown. You belong to nobody, but you belong to everybody. You are the number one Youth in Edo and as such you must provide leadership.”

“It is a burden you have on your shoulder and you should allow God to help you handle it because when you commit something to God it is safe and secure because you cannot do it by yourself. God has provided the team, you should have the team spirit and work with everybody across the state and as a Ministry we are going to give you the support.”

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Peter Osagie in his remarks disclosed that there is a committee working towards the Midwest Summit 2022 later in the month and two representative from the Exco should be nominated to be part of that committee.

“I am very elated to see very young people in the Executive. The National youth policy actually defines the age of a youth to be between 14 and 28. In the past in Edo state we have been working in disadvantaged position when we go to National or world events.

“The truth of the matter is that if you fall outside that age it will be difficult for you to be accepted in any fora. The earlier we start catching up as trail blazers, the better for us and with the outcome of this election we are blazing the trail to make progress the way it should be,” he noted

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Sarah Igunbor thanked the Edo State government for the advisory and fatherly role played during the crisis period in the Council which led to the setting up of the Congress Planning committee and Electoral Committee and by the Grace of God that committee has produced the members of the executive today.

“We want to also thank the Ministry for  ensuring that  there was a free, fair and credible  election and we appeal for the necessary support for a smooth government in terms of partnerships, collaborations and programmes that are geared towards impacting on the capacity of our youths ranging from skill acquisitions to training locally and internationally to members of the twenty three associations,” she added.