By Sunday Amandi

Arua

The youth in West Nile are called upon to work hard so as to fight hunger and poverty, and support the government in its efforts to raise the economy of the country.

This call was made by the leaders during the celebration of the international youth day at the OPM grounds in Arua city on 12^th of August 2023.
International Youth Day is an awareness day designated by the United Nations. And the purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.

Honorable   Kasiano   Wadri, a former commissioner for youth and children affairs, and also the former Member of Parliament for Arua municipality, who was the guest speaker at the function encouraged the youth in the region to give a positive contribution towards supporting efforts to end hunger and poverty in the region. “We must give an end to poverty and hunger .How many of our youth are interested in getting to the country side and get involved in agriculture?” Kasiano queried.

International Youth Day offers a chance to raise awareness of the need to ensure the engagement and participation of youth, which is essential to achieve progress in the communities in all aspects.

Millicent   Millie   Inzikuru, the deputy mayor for Arua city, who represented the city mayor at the function calls for mindset change among the youth to get involved in income generating activities so as to improve their income level. “There are many government programs that have come for the youth, and these programs are demand driven, where the youth are still not doing very well, and the youth need a lot of mindset change….” Inzikuru said.

Simon Enaku, the male youth counselor for Arua city demands for support from the government to skill the youth, and safeguard them against drug abuse. “We are advocating for more vocational schools for skilling the teenagers because the effects of covid-19 have made many youths to become parents and they are not supported in anyway,” Enaku appealed.

Meanwhile, Rashid Osino, the secretary for social services and security in the central division, and also the councilor for Bursar ward encourages the youth to take their education seriously, as its essential for every achievement.

The International Youth Day 2023 was celebrated with the theme, "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World" Division for Inclusion.

COVER PHOTO: Kasiano Wadri addressing the youths during the celebrations By Sunday Amandi