Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has urged the Plateau Youth Council (PYCN) to shun dirty politics and channel its energy to promoting youths’ cause in the state.
Mutfwang gave the charge on Wednesday in Jos when members of the council paid him a courtesy visit.
The governor, who expressed worry that the council had become too involved with politicking, urged the council to be more committed to the cause of youths in Plateau.
“You have come in at a critical time in the history of the state when we are trying to redefine governance, review institutions and foundations for the betterment of our people.
“You have an opportunity to redefine the mandate of PYCN, which before now was only visible when there is money to share.
“But seeing the array of faces here, I know that you have the opportunity of making a difference,” he said.
He noted that the council had visited at a time when the youth population was asking questions and expressed the hope that it could help the government in answering those questions.
“You need to identify the issues and challenges of the youths. I am glad you mentioned the issue of drugs and illicit substances. This is a menace that we hope you join the crusade to salvage.
“The amount of the lives of young girls that have been destroyed permanently because they were forced into childhood prostitution, the amount of young men who have dropped out of school.
“These are potential dangers for society. Therefore, you need to rise to the occasion and champion the liberation of the youths from vices and poverty,” the governor advised.
Mutfwang, who said that his administration was deliberate about creating sustainable foundations for the growth of youths, pointed to the 70 percent representation of youths in his cabinet.
He, therefore, urged the council to join hands with his administration to create a better future for the state.
Speaking earlier, Mr Panan Gongden, chairman of the council, commended the Federal Government for the swift deployment of the Military in the recent outbreak of conflict in Bokkos and other communities in the state.
Gongden expressed the council’s readiness to support the government and ensure it succeeded in delivering good governance to the people.
The council’s leader pledged the youths’ availability to serve as vanguards of their communities to curb the excesses of bandits and other militias terrorising the state.
“I want to commend the Federal Government for the steps taken in addressing the current issues in the state.
“As a council, we want to say we are proud of the open-door policy of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated capacity and will in addressing issues of security on the plateau.
“I make bold to say it is the first time in the history of this state that top military ranking officers are deployed to Plateau to have first-hand interface with victims of crisis.
“This, no doubt, is a demonstration of your capacity as governor on the Plateau, we appreciate that, and we equally want to assure you of our support and collaboration to move our state forward.
“The Plateau youths would like to let the public know that we are collaborating with the government and everyone who is interested in good governance and the development of the state.
“Therefore, in case of crises where the security agencies cannot cover all the nooks and crannies of the state, the leadership of the council can come in to organise youths in their communities, to serve as vanguards,” Gongden said.
