Leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure South Local Council Area of Ondo State have lauded the Minister of State for Youth Development for empowering over 500,000 youths in skill acquisition initiatives.

While expressing satisfaction with the performance of the Minister, the party, after its assessment meeting, disclosed that Olawande had, through his scorecard, rekindled hope in the ability of youth to manage the affairs of the country in sensitive positions.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the session in Akure, the state capital, the APC Chairman in the council, Dr. Akinmolayan Fesobi, disclosed that the party’s caucus recently carried out an assessment on Olawande’s performance nationwide and was enthused at the outcome of its findings.

He said: “Without letting the Minister know, we had on our own carried out a nationwide assessment on his performance since he was made Minister of State on Youth Development a year ago, and to our delight, we found that Olawande, a restless young man, has exceeded expectation.

“Some of his notable achievements include launching the “One Youth, Two Skills” program, enhancing employment among 500,000 youths nationwide.

“He has also fostered partnership with private sector organisations, securing N10 billion in funding for youth development initiatives, and furthermore, we found that he advocated policies promoting youth inclusion and participation, resulting in a 30% increase in youth representation in government.”

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According to the APC leader, the Minister, who hails from Akure South, also helped establish 20 Youth Development Centres across Nigeria, providing training and resources for young entrepreneurs and also collaborating with international organisations to create 100,000 job opportunities for Nigerian youths in less than one year in office.

He added that the Minister similarly initiated the National Youth Mentorship Scheme, pairing 50,000 youths with industry experts to boost employment.

“The party’s caucus wholeheartedly endorsed Minister Olawande’s continued service, recognising his leadership as a beacon of hope for the Nigerian youth.

“We, at the meeting, urged Nigerians to support Olawande’s initiatives, as he is busy promoting collective efforts to drive youth empowerment and national progress.”

Meanwhile, the Akure South APC also passed a vote of confidence on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, describing his performance in only nine months in office as superlative.

“We are proud that our great party is fielding Governor Aiyedatiwa in the next election because going by his numerous achievements, our campaigns will be no more than ‘thank you visits’ to the people.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa has been tarring roads and executing other infrastructural projects across the state; he is paying workers’ salaries regularly and has also set aside over N2 billion to be accessed as soft loans by petty traders, peasant farmers, market men and women, and young entrepreneurs, among others.”