The first Regional Youth Summit had come and gone but the legacy of it lingers forever.
It was organised by the office of Osun State Regional Integration headed by its Commissioner, Hon. Bola Ilori in collaboration with E-Connect.
It would be recalled that the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was there to declare the first ever summit open along with Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the host governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.
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THE COMMUNIQUE
THE REGIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT held at the WOCDIF Center, 9th & 10th January 2017 together to discuss the aspirations of the proposed Strategic Western Nigeria Development Roadmap, and chart out innovative initiatives for the future. The theme of the summit is PRODUCTIVITY, PROSPERITY AND PEACE.
At the end of the summit the youth gathering agreed and resolved on the following actions as imperatives for the vision of the Strategic 25 year Western Nigeria Masterplan.
VISION for 2040
A region less dependent on fossil fuels
A region that is a hub for tourism and agricultural competitiveness
An educated workforce
A region of technologically developed urban centers
A peaceful and secure region
A globally competitive Yoruba Language and culture.
IMPERATIVES
GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS
That the entire Yoruba youth insist on restructuring of the current warped federal arrangement that stifles the growth of our region.
That from history, the youth agreed that the golden era of the region was in the era of regional governments and we should revert to a system of federalism based on regionalism
That the youth of Western Nigeria affirm their belief in one united Nigeria based on fairness, equity and strict adherence of doctrine of federalism, separation of powers and rule of law.
The need to enshrine in the Federal constitution a role for plebiscites or referendums on certain issues of public importance.
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Youths in the region should be encouraged to participate in political governance at both the legislative and executive levels. The NOT TO YOUNG TO RUN proposal should be properly institutionalized at both federal and state elections.
That the Youth of Western Nigeria condemn the incessant herdsmen attack on innocent people across the country and appeal to the federal government to act as a matter of urgency to avert massive reprisal attacks.
That anti- open grazing laws be enacted throughout the country and commercially driven ranches be established.
EDUCATION
That the ultimate goal of education should essentially be to produce the quintessential Omoluabi, both in content and character. Our Education should bring enlightenment to the human mind; prepare people for the world of work; provide the platform for leadership recruitment and provide the means for character building, especially the development of the Total Man
ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT
To tackle poor entrepreneurial skills and financial illiteracy, support and policies in Business Development and Entrepreneurial skill Development; and Financial Literacy Training should be deployed in states of the region
That Legal and Regulatory Frameworks should be put in place to harmonize and simplify the regime of taxes and levies and State governments to make public their services, procedures, cost and redress mechanism to encourage payment of taxes to lessen reliance on federal allocation.
The creative economy and informal economy (film, music, fashion, food, photography etc) should be properly structured to stimulate creativity and economic growth.
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AGRICULTURE
That enablers should be put in place so the agriculture value chain be optimized for youth participation
SECURITY
That Joint actions will be pursued and sustained on security threats to guarantee the safety of lives, property and prosperity of the people of the region
At the end of the summit, all participants agreed that 25-year master plan as conceived by the Governments of the Western Nigeria is a step in the right direction and commend the government and people of the State of Osun and DAWN Commission on convening the Regional Youth Summit and look forward to the next edition in Oyo state.
To secure the future and that to articulate the shared values and aspirations of the Region in a living document and translating such to implementable actions and interventions will definitely make Western Nigeria a most preferred place to live, to work and to invest in the near future.
www.sojworld.com © January 11, 2018
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