By Adeyinka Adeniran
Youths empowerment in Oyo State has been described as incomparable with any other State in the federation.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, at the third edition of the Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC, secondary school oratory contest in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Prince Oyelade said the State government, in its commitment to improved welfare of youths, two years ago increased the allowances of Youth Corpers from five thousand naira to fifteen thousand naira.
He said according to the NYSC Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr Abel Odoba, this has made Oyo State the highest paying state in the federation even as some States find it difficult to pay the mandatory ₦5,000.
The commissioner for information disclosed that this generous wage by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has made Oyo State the Mecca for Youth Corpers.
Emphasizing the importance of ICT to societal development, Prince Dotun Oyelade challenged youths to focus more on the positives than the negative part of digital space.
He said deliberate moves are on to combat the menace of cybercrime in Oyo State through collaborative efforts by the State’s anti-graft agency, the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), the Ministry of Education, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), among others to preach against crimes associated with the internet and digital space.
The commissioner disclosed that recently, Gov. Makinde has approved a substantial amount of money to implement a Youth Empowerment Programme on ICT training, including digital marketing, data analysis & coding, and also on entrepreneurship, leadership, mentorship among others.
According to the Executive Director, Hope For Second Chance Foundation, HOSEC, organisers of the event, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Oteṣile, mastery of effective communication skills should be the life goal of every child.
She called on parents, teachers and relevant stakeholders to rise to the task of making this the reality of every child.
The oratory contest among government 47 secondary schools in Ibadan gave the students the opportunity to discuss the merits and demerits of ICT advancements in a bid to enhancing safe digital spaces and child protection.
The keenly contested competition was won by Government College, Ibadan.
The event was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion among others.
