The Executive Governor of Plateau State, the RT Hon Simon Bako Lalong has reiterated his commitment to work with the Youths of Plateau State. In his remarks at the swearing in ceremony of the Grand Kadi and Management Committee Chairmen of Wase and Mikang, the Governor further disclosed his plans to engage more youths. He said the importance of bringing youths on board for the purpose of integration cannot be overemphasized. He also admonished youths to be ambassadors of peace and togetherness.

The Governor made the above comments in response to an appeal from Plateau State Youth Council. The letter signed by the Chairman of the Youth Council Dr Fabong Jemchang Yildam, came after the dissolution of the State Executive Council by the Governor.

The Governor said, I have made this commitment as a response to a letter I received from the Plateau State Youth Council.

Below is the excerpts….

*08/02/2018*

*MAKING A CASE FOR THE PLATEAU YOUTH – AN APPEAL TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE RT HON SIMON BAKO LALONG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, PLATEAU STATE.*

The call for the inclusion of youth in governance has been a topic of discussion in the course of state, national and global development. We are at a critical point in history now, and the need to mobilize competent youths to actively participate in governance cannot be overemphasized.

The Plateau State Youth Council wishes to seize this opportunity to remind His Excellency the Executive Governor of Plateau State, of the promises he made to the youths during his interaction with same, at the LARGER HOUSE prior to the general elections of 2015. We all recalled, His Excellency made it clear his intentions to work with the youths, using its robust policy of 3-E dimensional strategy namely; Employment, Empowerment and Engagement. This of course indicates government’s recognition of the vital roles, youths play in nation building.

We applaud the series of engagement of the youths on various programs through the Plateau State Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, the Plateau State Peace Building Agency and Office of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Social Investment Program. Indeed the evidence are there for all to see.

Plateau Youth Council as the parent body of all the youths on the Plateau irrespective of their political orientation, tribal extraction and religious beliefs will like to call the attention of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Party faithfuls, Elder statesmen, and Power Brokers, to the resolution assented to by Nigeria (Plateau State being a component) and member nations at the United Nations General Assembly, over 50 years ago which encouraged members of Nations to mainstream youths and young people in all facets of governance and the democratic process.

The current generation of youths are the largest in history. It is estimate that 60 -70% of the entire population of any given society and country is below 40 years of age. With a growing population falling under this age group, and also with the issues of political, social and economic exclusion, we should be concerned about our representation in all spares of governance.

Your Excellency Sir, it is unpleasant to note that youths have not been adequately involved in participation and inclusion beyond electoral participation.
Sir, we wish to also draw to your attention to the fact that no member of your last cabinet was below 40 years of age.

Understandably, we have much improvement in youth representation in the appointments made so far by your administration as compared with the past, but this too, still falls below the expected. The youths of Plateau State have suffered a very low representation at the State Executive level of governance.

It is worthy of note that the most successful leaders of this nation achieved success at their youthful age, and no nation becomes prosperous without active youth engagement and participation. We at this point believe we are not too young to lead, and we also believe the elders are not too old to learn.

Koffi Annan, the Former United Nations Secretary General once said:

“Normally, when we need to know about something, we go to experts, but we tend to forget that when we want to know about youths and what they feel and what they want, that we should talk to them”

The entire 5 point Agenda of the Rescue Administration is youth centered, and we make bold to say that youths have a better perspective of the problems that affect them as such they need to be integrated in policy planning, implementation and evaluation for the policy to be a success.

On this note, we will like to make a passionate appeal to His Excellency for a forty five percent (45%) inclusion slot for the engagement of youths into governance, especially at positions of Commissioners in the next State Executive Council.

This we believe will increase critical planing, development, and productivity. Beyond being the leaders of tomorrow, we want to be partners of today…..

Finally we congratulate His Excellency on the so many strides achieved thus far particularly in the place of infrastructural development and the continuous peace building process.

God bless Plateau State Youth Council
God bless Plateau State
God bless Nigeria.

Build the Youth,
Build the Nation.

Signed
Dr Fabong Jemchang Yildam
Chairman,
Plateau State Youth Council.

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Gov. Lalong Reiterates Commitment to Work with the Youth