BEING A SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT, IGALAMELA YOUTH RENAISSANCE GROUP, AJAKA, COMR ALIH NASIR ADAMU ON THE OCASSION OF IGALAMELA YOUTH PEACE PARLEY, HELD ON SATURDAY, THE 21ST OF NOVEMBER, 2020 AT THE IGALAMELA MULTIPURPOSE HALL, AJAKA.
PROTOCOLS:
I wish to begin by specially thanking God Almighty for the privilege we all enjoy to be among the living today, to witness yet another remarkable event put together by Igalamela Youth Renaissance Group, with funding from Actionaid/Pibcid.
Today’s event is a gathering of people concerned about peace, progress and development of our dear Local Government, Igalamela/Odolu. In the last three years, Igalamela Youth Renaissance Group in partnership with reputable Non-Government Organizations, specifically, Actionaid/Pibcid and some well-meaning personalities of Igalamela, have made impactful contributions towards promoting peaceful co-existence, youth education, employment and development.
It is worthy of mention that this group in 2018, organized the Igalamela Youth Summit. The event was a success, well attended by hundreds of youths who listened to presentations from resource persons. In 2019, the group convened the Igalamela Youth Dialogue, held just before the November gubernatorial election in Kogi State to sensitize the youths against electoral violence. This event also recorded huge attendance of youths, stakeholders and resource persons.
The impact of the past events on the youths and the community has been very remarkable whilst, the Renaissance Group continue to have meaningful engagements in other capacity development activities. It is delightful to at this point state some of the ample efforts recorded by the group over time.
The Renaissance Group has been able to secure (5) Federal Government and (1) State Government employment for Youths of Igalamela; courtesy of Prof. Stephen Ocheni and Wife, Ambassador Regina Ocheni.
The Group facilitated (4) Years scholarship for (7) Students of Igalamela origin to tertiary institutions; courtesy of Alh. Hayatudeen Sule (6) and Hon. Isah Bello (1).
The group secured admission for (4) indigenes of Igalamela to different higher institutions of learning; courtesy of Hon. (Barr.) Cosmas Atabor (3) and Comrade Abuh Musa (1).
Distribution of Educational Materials to (9) Secondary schools across the local government; courtesy of Ambassador Regina Ocheni, Hon. (Barr.) Cosmas Atabor, Mr. Yunus Abbdullahi and Mr. Noble Idachaba.
Sensitization visits to (9) secondary schools on the menace of drug abuse; courtesy of Mr. Yunus Abdullahi, Mr. Zekeri Yakubu, Mr. Noble Idachaba, Engr. Abubakar Edicha and Comr. Tahirudeen Abdullahi.
Industrial attachment opportunity with an oil servicing company for (2) youths of Igalamela; courtesy of Alhaji Hayatudeen Sule.
Other areas of the groups engagements are:
The Renaissance Group was involved in securing the passage of the Kogi Youth Development Commission Bill into law by the State House of Assembly and got the assent of the Governor. This was a youth advocacy effort initiated by Comrade Aminu Okutepa.
The Group participated in Actionaid/Pibcid trainings on combating Electoral violence and Resilience building for youths.
The Group is a regular participant in the annual Kogi Youth Peace Camp organized by Actionaid/Pibcid.
The Group participates in Election Observation Mission for YIAGA Africa and the National Democratic Institute.
The Group participated in the project for the campaign against Fake-News powered by the Centre for Democracy and Development.
The Group participates in Workshops organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution.
The Group also participated in Mercy Corps Women Peace Council Project.
Collaborated with the Search for Common Ground in organizing stakeholders meeting for peaceful elections.
The Group hosts annual Secondary Schools debate in Ajaka.
The Group actively participates in other community development initiatives coordinated by Igalamela Community Development Association (ICDA).
You will agree with me that the Renaissance Group in a space of just about 3years has truly made remarkable progress in advocating for meaningful youth engagement, education, peace and development.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot pretend about the havoc of covid’19 pandemic. It has ravaged the world, shattered livelihoods and claimed so many lives. Its negative impact will live with us especially the youths for so long. Its threats are still very potent around some parts of the world. We give thanks to God that we survived the epic stage of the pandemic and the world is gradually picking up. We must however, continue to pray and remain conscious of our state of health. May the gentle souls of all the departed rest in peace. Amen.
The recent End-SARS protest in Nigeria, also came with its effects. The youths predominated the protest which initially began logically, but later took an obnoxious dimension as a result of mismanagement on the part of critical stakeholders, misinformation and loss of control on the part of the youths arising from fake news via the media, especially the social media. To the youths, our use of social media should be with caution and courtesy. The use of the social media as valuable as it is, has potentials for destruction. Its negative use can destroy us, disrupt our peace and even destroy the nation and of course, the world at large. To this end, we call on the government to on her part, consider some of the reasonable objective and realistic demands of the youths, whereas the youths reflect and avoid violence and destructive protests.
On behalf of the Renaissance Group, nevertheless, I wish to acknowledge that Igalamela/Odolu and Kogi State at large has enjoyed appreciable peace. I commend the state and local government, security agencies, our leaders, youths and women of Igalamela/Odolu and indeed the entire state for the conscious effort at attaining the prevailing peace.
As we dwell in fate to cross into next year, Gods’ willing, the Renaissance Group shall be hosting Local Government Football Tournament aimed at engaging the minds of the youths and promoting peace. It would have been our desire to make use of the Local Government Stadium built by a former chairman of the council, late Augustine Isah Idakwo, may his soul rest in perfect peace. But sadly, the stadium, at a time, one of the best in Kogi State, that ones hosted the National Under 15 handball tournament, can no longer accommodate any sporting activity, not even trainings, due to its sorry state arising from total neglect, erosion and encroachment.
We use this opportunity to call on the state and local government and indeed sports entrepreneurs to save the stadium from total extinction. A Public-Private arrangement could be considered to revive the stadium in order to boost sports, recreation and economic growth.
A peaceful Local Government Election for All, is the crux of this event. Local council elections in Kogi State are around the corner, it is our hope that we experience a peaceful, free, fair and transparent exercise. The local government as the 3rd tier of government is the closest to the people and for which the people have vested interest.
We therefore, call on the State Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that they keep to the fair rules of electoral exercise so that the election can reflect the true wish of the people. To the candidates of various political parties, we appeal to your conscience to toe the path of honour and peace. To place the interest of the people above your personal and party interests. To various stakeholders of our local government, we plead that you act statesmanlike, elderly and bring wisdom to bear in your support, counsel and interventions.
To my fellow youths, it is said that a people get the kind of leader they deserve, we should get involved in politics but must not make it our primary endeavour. Let us vote our choice, but remember that our choice determines our chance to prosperity and greatness. Let us vote for a government that has the youth, women, children, the aged and everybody at heart. A government that will sponsor education rather than sponsor destruction and assassination. A government that gives jobs rather than give crumbs. A government that is accessible and accountable to the people and not that which is comfortable in tormenting the people. As youths, we must not make ourselves readily available commodities for nefarious patronage by politicians. We must resist any directive or destructive patronage by politicians no matter how attractive. Let us meaningfully build our capacities, learn skill or trade, educate and develop ourselves, and be prepared for the future, for the future is indeed bright and opportunity, they say meets preparedness.
At this juncture, let me commend the Kogi state government for the notable level of youth involvement in governance. It is a very interesting and novel development. The youth however, carries the burden to prove that we are capable, better and prepared to lead.
Finally, I wish to in all humility appreciate the wonderful support the Renaissance Group has always received from Actionaid/Pibcid. Also, to thank our chairman of this occasion Prof. Nuhu Obaje for his time and honour. All other very distinguished personalities here present, we hold you in high esteem. The great youth of Igalamela/Odolu, the women, students, press, ladies and gentlemen, the Renaissance Group appreciates you all for coming.
God bless you.
Renaissance Group ……….
Youths for Development!!!.