Ben Duntoye, the executive director of the African Youth Resource Centre, has urged governors to involve youth in the governance of their various states.

Mr Duntoye stated this at a meeting on the implementation of the national assessment and tracking programme for youth non-governmental organisations on Monday in Abuja.

He commended Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq of Kwara for showing leadership by appointing youth and women into his cabinet, adding that he had chosen to listen to the yearning.

Mr Duntoye said such gestures had increased youth participation in governance, saying the governors of other states should emulate him.

Presenting a paper with the topic “Role of Non-Governmental Organisations and Other Stakeholders in the Implementation of the National Youth Policy,” he advocated mainstreaming young people in government.

He said the era of planning for youths without involving them was over, adding that there should be no plan for youths without their input.

He said Kwara has approximately 70 per cent of youths as aides in the state cabinet.

Mr Duntoye, a former Pan African Youth Union president, emphasised the importance of implementing the National Youth Policy for national development.

He urged governments at all levels to conduct needs assessments to understand the requirements of the people, particularly the marginalised youth.

The executive directive called for a paradigm shift to effectively address youth’s needs.

Mr Duntoye said the programme aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration for youth empowerment and development in the country. 

(NAN)