Plateau State’s newly sworn-in Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Prince Miaphen, has set a 100-day target for the renovation and completion of three youth centres across the state as part of his immediate agenda for youth development.
Miaphen announced the target on Wednesday shortly after assuming office, explaining that the centres would provide young people with spaces for skills development, engagement and other productive activities.
The new commissioner, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), is also planning a statewide tour of the 17 local government areas to engage youth leaders and grassroots structures, listen to their concerns and seek their input on programmes that would directly affect them.
“I want to meet all the youth structures at the grassroots level, interact with them and seek their opinions on how best we can represent them,” he stated.
Beyond infrastructure and grassroots engagement, Miaphen placed youth unity at the centre of his agenda, calling on Plateau youths to work together despite political, ethnic and religious differences.
“We need unity. Plateau youths need to be more united than ever before,” he maintained, urging young people to put the overall interest of the state above political differences.
He equally cautioned youths against using social media in ways that could damage the image of Plateau State, urging them to be more conscious of the narratives they project about the state.
On sports development, the commissioner promised a renewed focus on grassroots competitions as part of efforts to identify and nurture sporting talents from the community level.
According to him, Plateau is endowed with talents capable of attaining national and international prominence when given the right opportunities and support.
“We will encourage grassroots competitions. When I came, even when I had not resumed, I attended the Chairman’s Cup finals and we saw talents,” he noted.
To achieve this, the ministry would work with sporting associations and other stakeholders to strengthen the pathway for talent identification and development from communities through the local government areas to the state level.
Miaphen further assured ministry staff, athletes and other stakeholders of an open-door administration, describing himself as a team player ready to work with all stakeholders to achieve the ministry’s objectives.
“I am a team player. I want to work and I will work. I belong to all,” he declared.
His assumption of office was preceded by a solidarity walk by youths from across Plateau State, who accompanied him from Secretariat Junction to the office of the commissioner.
The new commissioner also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as efforts to create opportunities for Nigerians and praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his commitment to youth inclusion and development.
He described his appointment as a responsibility he would discharge with accountability to God and the people of Plateau State.
