The executive committees of the National Youth Council in all districts elected members to the national executive committee on Friday. The new youth leaders to the national executive committee have a huge task ahead because the youth hold the key to the future of the country. An empowered and skilled youth is what the country needs to meet its development objectives. But this can only be achieved if the youth involve in productive ventures and avoid engaging in behavior like drug abuse which has ruined the lives of many youth. As the new youth leaders start their 5-year term, they have a big responsibility to rally the youth around development initiatives, especially because the youth form the biggest percentage of the population and are faced with so many challenges like unemployment , teenage pregnancies and drug abuse among others. The new leaders should know that being in tleadership is not a privilege but an opportunity to serve and help the youth achieve their aspirations. The youth need routine sensitization to curb ills like drug abuse and risky sexual behavior which are common among the youth. These are serious challenges that youth leaders have to address in partnership with other stake holders. Encouraging the youth to start own jobs and involvement in national development programmes will also come a long way in addressing challenges facing the youth. The youth leaders should initiate projects to achieve economic empowerment of youth. Youth with vocational skills easily find jobs or are able to start their own small startups. The youth leaders should embark on sensitization drives especially in schools. The youth hold the future of the country. If they are economically empowered and given vocational skills, there is no doubt that the country’s vision will be realized.
