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Budget Process: KWSG Concludes Citizens’ Engagement In Three Senatorial Districts

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Kwara State Government has concluded the Statewide consultations of the citizens in its bid to harvest the actual needs of the people, to be included in the year 2024 budget preparation, which will in turn fast-track development across the nooks and crannies of the State.

The Statewide consultations of the citizens were concluded at Ilorin East Local Government, which served as the host to the remaining three Local Government Areas in the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

The program had earlier been held at Patigi and Offa for Kwara North and Kwara South Senatorial Districts, respectively, with massive and impressive turnouts.

While addressing the large gathering at the programme, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, said it has become sacrosanct for government to ensure participatory budgeting for accelerated socio-economic and infrastructural development of the State, describing it as the global best practice.

Hon. Lafia disclosed that the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is committed to providing succor to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, which informed his policy of engaging the citizens on the budget process since his assumption of office in 2019.

The Chairperson, the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Fatima Arinola Lawal, lauded the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his resolve to assuage the sufferings of the people across the State, adding that participants should express themselves on their most pressing needs and assured them that, as their elected Lawmaker, their interests would be included in the budget for year 2024.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretaries from Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, said the State Government is conducting medical outreach across the State to ensure improved health care delivery at zero cost, while several health facilities are being equipped for the betterment of the State.

The Permanent Secretary added that the citizens should take full advantage of the magnanimity of the State Governor to express their needs so that it can be captured for the year 2024 financial appropriation.

Speaking for the four Transition Implementation Committee Chairpersons (TIC) in the Kwara Central Senatorial District, the Chairperson of Ilorin East Local Government, Hon. Ayobami Seriki, appreciated Governor AbdulRazaq for his immense support in ensuring that local governments performed their duties, revealing that their requests in the past year were actualized while the requests for this year have been submitted for considerations.

Earlier, the State Director of Budget, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe noted that Governor AbdulRazaq has changed the culture of budget preparation in the state wherein Recurrent Expenditure exceeds the Capital Expenditure, adding that the practice has greatly improved the state’s infrastructural development.

The Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Zubair Aremu, showered praises on the State Governor for his unprecedented response to the yearnings of the people, praying for his success in taking Kwara to the promised land.

Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations in Kwara State, the Executive Director of Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, Mallam Ayuba Abdulrahman, commended the State Governor for the several people-oriented interventions he has recorded across different sectors in the State, pointing out that the security architectures of the State needed to be strengthened for sustainable growth and development.

Mallam Abdulkareem Lawal, who also spoke on behalf of Persons with Disabilities, appreciated the State Governor for his inclusive governance and for engaging the public for the collective growth of the State.

He urged the state government to renovate and equip the library for the physically challenged in order to improve their academic performances.

The gathering had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life in the Kwara Central Senatorial District including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Members of the State House of Assembly, Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Technical Implementation Committee Chairmen for Kwara Central Senatorial District, Magaji Are and Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations, amongst others.

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FG Approves Professionalisation of Youth Work

Published

6 days ago

November 8, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As part of the efforts being made to create a pathway to success for all Nigerian youth, the Federal Government has granted approval for the full Professionalisation of Youth work in Nigeria.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande made this known while addressing the congregation of the Youth workers during the 2024 National Youth work conference which coincides with Youth workers capacity building and membership induction. The conference which has the theme: “A right to youth work and a positive future for all young people, celebrating diverse expressions of youth work across the globe” took place at Afolabi hall within the Ministry in Abuja.

According to the Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry , Mr Olubunmi Olusanya: “I am happy to announce that approval for the full Professionalisation of Youth work in Nigeria has been granted by the Hon. Minister. The Ministry is ready to drive this important process, recognizing the urgent need for established codes of ethics and standards of practice.

This has become necessary because of the proliferation of practice whose activities have had adverse effects on the quality of services by young people. I therefore enjoin this noble body of professionals to join forces with the Ministry in its effort towards establishing distinct career paths for youth development work”.

“The Ministry is critically looking at innovative partnership with the private sector, access to financing for young people’s ideals, and the integration of digital skills training. We are of the strong belief that entrepreneurship should be fostered from a young age, which means that all relevant stakeholders must partner in building a generation of young Nigerians who are skilled and prepared to lead”.

“Today we are not only to discuss how we can build the capacity of the youth to contribute to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, but to plan the specific ways we can build a future that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for every young Nigerian, especially in the face of rapid global change and challenges that are complex and interconnected, ranging from climate challenges, technical advancement, economic shift, unemployment, mental health issues, inequality, lack of access to quality education and so on”, the Minister added.

He emphasized that: “In these challenges, there are also immense opportunities for growth and transformation. It is worthy to state that our young people must be prepared not only to lead but be frontline agents in unlocking these opportunities.”

He further explained that being a transformative catalysts, youth workers have the responsibility to provide the right platforms, resources, mentorship, and encouragement by bridging the gaps between young people and their potentials, while empowering them with mentorship, advocacy and essential skills to overcome obstacles and thrive as responsible citizens.

He disclosed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development is committed to equipping youth who made up 60 percent of the population with the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit needed to thrive in today’s competitive world as well as creating an environment where they can innovate, take risks and contribute meaningfully to our economy.

“We are dedicated to empowering young Nigerians through various initiatives focused on skills development, empowerment and engagement by providing them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive. This is why we are strongly propagating our vision of one youth, two skills”, the Minister concluded.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Youth Workers Association (NYWA), Mr Ben Duntoye stressed that many of the Youths are passionate about youth work but there is the need to step up to professionalism.

According to him : “We want to see youth work bigger, we want to see youth work grow in their various work places. Youth work must flourish in Nigeria as it is in the advanced countries of the world”

“That is why we are partnering with the developed countries of the world to assist us with the initiatives put in by them in developing theirs both financially and in kind”, Duntoye added.

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