The Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF), a virile and professional youth wing affiliated to the ruling All Progressives Congress last Friday engaged the Commissioner, Directors and top members of staff of the Kwara State Ministry of Sports and Youths Development. The engagement was part of the POLICY DIALOGUE of the forum, an initiative meant to have a conversational interaction between leading APC youths and public officials in the present administration in the state in order to aid better understanding of the policy drives, plans, paths and actions of the government.

The State Chairman of the Forum, Muhammed Abdullahi, while giving his brief opening remarks, said the essence of the dialogue was to engage with policy makers and government officials in order to defend or critic government policies and actions from an informed position. He reiterated the need for young people to desist from condemning government actions as a result of misinformation.

Abdullahi, who lauded the Kwara State Ministry of Sports and Youths Development for the impressive scorecard of achievements presented during the interaction, urged the ministry to sustain and  improve on its record of performance in order to reaffirm the APC as a party that places emphasis on the delivery of quality service to the citizenry. He further recommended the need for the Ministry to look towards having an all encompassing internship program as a way to curb the menace of unemployment amongst the youths.

In his own contribution, a member of the APYF at the national level and the Special Assistant to the Ag. President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on IDP and Social Investment, Mr. Mohammed Brimah, noted that the Federal Government's plans and programmes are all encompassing and not limited to youth, describing the different interventions embarked on by President Muhammadu Buhari administration as panacea for poverty in the country.

According to Brimah, "The Federal Government has approved the release of funds for social investment, capacity building and Youth development programmes, especially with the N-power programme which was recently initiated as a palliative measure against unemployment, which is one of the fundamental problems confronting the nation".  He therefore  commended the Kwara State Governor, Dr. AbdulFatah Ahmed, for according priority to the development of youths, especially with his focus on the development of SME, skill acquisition and other youth oriented programmes.

In their responses, the Commissioner, Pharm. Kale Ayo, and the Permanent Secretary, Elder Ayobola samuel, both commended the APYF for their resolve to keep government functionaries on their toes and ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people. The Ministry's helmsmen therefore pledge their unalloyed supports and commitment to the progressive and forward thinking ideals of the All Progressives Youth Forum.

Dignitaries at the meeting include the Hon. Commissioner, Pharm. Kale Ayo Nuhu,  Permanent Secretary, Elder Ayobola samuel (JP), Director DPFS,  Alh. Abubakar Ndagba Abdullahi, Director Sports Council Mallam Tunde Kazeem,  Director of Youth, Hajia Aishat muhammad, Director of Sports, Alh. Sheu Olushola Abubakar, Special Assistant to the Ag. President on IDP and Social Investment, Mallam Mohammed Brimah, other members of APYF and members of staff of the Ministry.