A youth development organisation, Clement Isong Foundation (CIF) has expressed its appreciation over Governor Umo Eno’s plans to unbundle the Ministry of Youths and Sports, thereby creating a dedicated ministry solely focused on youth development.
The commendation is contained in a press release signed and issued by the Executive Director of the Clement Isong Foundation, Elkanah Oluyori.
It could be recalled that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno during the commissioning ceremony of the reconstructed 3.3km Idua road and the emergency intervention works at the collapsed Afia Nsit Road in Eket Local Government Area on Friday, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of attention given to youth development under the current structure of the Ministry.
The Governor had highlighted the necessity for a separate ministry to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing the state’s youth population.
He said ” The youth are the future of our great state, and their development deserves undivided attention. By acknowledging the need to unbundle the Ministry of Youths and Sports, we are recognizing the importance of creating a dedicated platform to foster initiatives and programs that will empower our young people, nurture their talents, and unlock their full potential.”
The Governor’s acknowledgement has been welcomed by stakeholders, including civil society organizations and youth groups, who have commended his visionary approach and commitment to the growth and success of the state’s youth.
The Press release which quoted the Project Manager of the Clement Isong Foundation, Caroline Gordian noted that CIF commended Governor Eno over what they described as his profound understanding of the diverse needs of the youth and his recognition of the need for a dedicated ministry to address these needs effectively”.
The release said the acknowledgement presents an exciting opportunity to streamline efforts, implement targeted programs, and ultimately unleash the full potential of the youth population.
Quoting Gordian further the release added, “By dedicating a separate ministry to focus solely on youth development, the Governor has demonstrated a commitment to fostering greater collaboration with civil society organizations like ours that are deeply invested in youth empowerment.”
Referencing the position of the Director of Clement Isong Foundation, Elkanah Oluyori, CIF lauded the Governor’s acknowledgement and prayed for his continued commitment to push through with the implementation of a dedicated youth ministry.
The release added, “We applaud Governor Eno for his visionary leadership and urge him to continue on this good path and translate this acknowledgement into concrete action for the betterment of our young people”.
“The Clement Isong Foundation has been actively engaged with the Youth Development Cluster (YDC), a coalition of civil society organizations focused on youth empowerment programs. Our ongoing collaborative efforts have yielded positive results, but the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Youth Development would significantly amplify our impact. We eagerly anticipate partnering with the prospective Ministry of Youth Development to support and implement comprehensive initiatives addressing issues like skill development, entrepreneurship, leadership training, and job creation for young people across Akwa Ibom.”
Clement Idong Foundation said by recognizing the importance of unbundling the Ministry of Youths and Sports, Governor Eno has demonstrated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the youth to thrive.
The organisation noted that this move is expected to pave the way for closer collaboration with civil society organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive programs aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by the state’s youth.
“Governor Eno’s acknowledgement of the need for a dedicated youth ministry is a testament to his vision for a prosperous and vibrant Akwa Ibom State, where the youth play a pivotal role in shaping the future. This initial step has set the stage for further action and has generated anticipation among the state’s youth and stakeholders for the positive impact it will have on their lives and development”, the release added.