By Mumini Abdulkareem
As the 2019 election draws nearer, Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki has advised youths in the state not to give in to negative acts.
Saraki who was the Special Guest of Honour at the 5th Annual Empowerment Program and Secretariat fundraising of the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA), specifically called on the youth to shun violence or any activity that may cause disharmony in the society.
The Senate President who described the event as a unique one further advised the youth to always embark on programmes and activities that would positively impact the lives of the people of the emirate and the country at large.
According to him, the youth are a very important fulcrum of the society as leaders of the future and should be encouraged to channel their productive energy in ventures that would uplift indigenes of the emirate particularly and humanity in general.
Represented by the Director-General, ABS constituency office, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, Saraki donated the sum of N2million for the empowerment and building of the group’s secretariat.
In his key note address, IEYDA national president, Alhaji Abdullahi Babatunde Salau appealed to all the contestants across political parties in the state and their supporters to maintain peace before, during and after the elections next year.
He noted that “we cannot afford to set the community ablaze because of politics adding that youth of the emirate should not allow themselves to be used as instrument of destruction in the hands of unscrupulous politicians to create notorious outfits that are capable of unleashing mayhem across the country.
The Acting Director, Centre for Community Development, Kwara State University, Malete, Alhaji Lawal Olohungbebe advised politicians and community based development associations to always carry the communities along in whatever project being embarked upon for such to make the desired impact.
He warned that failure to do so will jeopardise any cordial relationship between communities and politicians which will greatly impact negatively on the projects/empowerment provided for such community.
Items distributed included books, witting materials, uniforms and numerous empowerment interventions for over 1,050 students and indigenes across the five local governments in the emirate.
