From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Joshua Olagunju Ojo has inaugurated the 3rd Assembly of the Youth Parliament in the continuation of the youths’ encouragement in the decision making process in the state.
The inauguration was held at House of Chief, Parliament Building, House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan today, March 20, 2019.
Hon. Olagunju said that based on the provision of the 1999 constitution as amended, role of youths in the decision making process, support of government’s policies as well as promotion of people-oriented and good governance can not be over emphasized.
The Speaker described parliament as a powerful institution that championing the course of the people, adding that Youth Parliament is a replica of the representative function of the House of Assembly members in the state, where interests and demands of the constituents are canvassed and debated.
Oyo Assembly Speaker enjoined the newly inaugurated parliamentarians to be of good ambassadors of the state by always promoting the pace setter status which the state is known for in all their engagements.
Hon. Olagunju implored youths to at all times shun every unethical behavior such as thugerry as witnessed in the recently concluded general elections, where issues of electoral violence such as ballot boxes snatching and other electoral vices were perpetrated by the youth.
Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Yomi Oke, in his address delivered by Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Afeez Bolaji, disclosed that the present administration has given proper recognition to the youth as principal stakeholders and foremost drivers of the nation’s growth and development.
Bolaji Afeez commended the federal government initiative for approving the laudable youth programme which enable them the opportunity to contribute their quota in the decision making process both at the state and federal levels.
Meanwhile, at the first proceeding of the newly inaugurated Youth Parliament, members have elected Hon. Adegoke Abayomi from Ogbomoso South and Hon. Taoheed Adebayo from Irepo as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
