The Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the economic challenge facing the nation as a big threat to the internal security. Addressing staff and students of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, who paid a courtesy visit to him at the Government House, Oke-fia, Osogbo, he maintained that no matter the costs, commitments towards managing internal threats must never be comprised.
The governor said the theme of the group’s tour “National Security and Youth Empowerment” was apt, stressing that youths’ engagement in economic activities will reduce crimes and youth restiveness. “I want you to take advantage of your study tour to understand factors that have contributed to peace and security in our state. Many of our youth empowerment programmes, including the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and Osun Elementary School Feeding, have been adopted by federal government.
“The OYES has not only curbed youth restiveness but has also contributed to economic benefit, thereby placing Osun as one of the safest states in the country, The scheme has made Osun as one of the states with reduced poverty index economically, as well as one of the states that have high rate of human development. With this policy, higher percentage of our youths were empowered and engaged, thereby making it difficult for them to be involved in crimes. The youths rather focus their energy on being successful.”
Wing Commander Abiodun Ogunmola, who led the team, said that the one-week study tour had helped the students to fulfill the requirements of their course of study at the college. He disclosed that Osun was one of the twelve states selected for study on National Security and Youth Empowerment, saying the students will understudy the empowerment policies and its link to national security, as well as write reports and make recommendations where needed.
