The All Progressive Youth Forum (APYF) Kwara state chapter has called for the establishment of Citizens and Leadership Development Centre and a Fellowship Programme by the Kwara State government under the leadership of His Excellency Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (CON). The call was made when a representative of the leadership of the Forum led by the State Coordinator Hon Abduljalil Bala-Daba paid a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Youth Development, Honourable Nafisat Buge.
Bala-Daba while speaking on behalf of the Forum said “we are here on behalf of the APYF family (which you were also one time and Exco) to formally congratulate you on your appointment as a Commissioner for Youth Development, and to let you know that you are indeed one of the square pegs in a square hole among the current appointees of Governor Abdulrazaq.” Your popularity and wide acceptance within the youth constituency, your sociopolitical activism and immense contributions to various sociopolitical groups you once belonged have prepared and best qualified you for the position.”
“Following the congratulatory message, we want to use this opportunity to strongly call for the establishment of a Citizens and Leadership Development Centre by the current administration of Governor Abdulrazaq. The Centre will be an agency under the supervision of your ministry as obtainable at the Federal level.” “If established, the Centre will create a perfect alignment with its Federal counterpart in terms of activities and synergy. The agency will also as parts of its activities focus on how to develop and equip individuals and young Kwarans to be responsible citizens and leaders.” Bala-Daba added.
In addition, “we also call for the establishment of a Fellowship Programme to be named after a renowned and detribalised Kwaran or Nigerian who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of not only the state but the entire nation. The Fellowship Programme will be used to immortalised such a distinguished individual and provide an opportunity for our younger ones to learn exceptional leadership skills that will prepare to effectively compete with their peers from any parts of the world.
Bala-Daba used the opportunity to express the confidence in and reaffirmed the support of the APYF to the Abdulrazaq led administration, while also appreciating him for finding one of their former State Executive member (Hon. Nafisat) worthy of such an important appointment as one of his cabinet members.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Nafisat in her response appreciated the Forum for the courtesy call and assured that their observations and suggestions will be dispassionately looked into. She added that her office is open at all times especially when it comes to issues and innovative ideas that will make positive impacts on the youths.