Ondo News: Mimiko affirms commitment to youth development
The Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has expressed his administration’s commitment to the promotion of programmes which will ensure development for youths in the State.
The Governor who said this at the launching of the “Ondo State Framework and Adolescent/Youth Friendly Health Programme” in Akure noted that to achieve the State Government’s lofty goals in youth empowerment, there is need for vibrant and healthy youth in consideration of the present administration’s realisation of the existence of tremendous potentials for development in the youth segment.
The Governor also indicated that his administration has embarked on detailed situation analysis of the issues affecting adolescents and young people, including widespread consultations with different stakeholders in the State.
According to him, adolescents in the State experience similar challenges with their peers all over the world with a wide spectrum of health problems such as substance abuse and sexual/reproductive health issues like unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, unsafe abortion and poor access to effective contraception.
He explained that the action-plan being launched was a product of the tremendous hard work executed through detailed planning; saying it reflects Government’s commitment to giving young people the healthcare delivery that matches global best practices.
“The programme is cardinal to his administration’s youth empowerment programmes which include an education policy that provides state-of-the-art mega schools to all pupils inclusive of free bus shuttle services, while young people in higher institutions are also enrolled in the State’s scholarship and bursary programmes,” he iterated.
While speaking earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dayo Adeyanju indicated that the special attention offered to the youths is based on conviction that they represent the future of the State and that they face challenges considered to be real.
He added that the programme represents the clear vision of Governor Olusegun Mimiko whom he described as passionate about young people and their aspirations. The Health Commissioner disclosed that the programme was intended to offer integrated services in four core areas: clinical preventive services, community-based outreaches, treatment / curative services and referral services.
