YOSPIS Inaugurates 11-man Youth Reference Group, Commissions Agenda 2021/22

YOSPIS Inaugurates 11-man Youth Reference Group, Commissions Agenda 2021/22

Mohammed Dahiru Lawal

The new Executive Director of Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Disease and Social Vices (YOSPIS) had Friday inaugurated an 11-man youth reference group that would support the organization towards actualizing its one-year work plan for developmental impact.

The agenda for the work-plan which spans from the year 2021 to 2022 include convening a youths summit towards youth affirmative action, enhancing its ongoing youth ‘Hasken Matasa’ programme supported by the Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) and sponsored by the Aminu Magashi Garba foundation, seed planting campaign, distribution and sensitization of free menstrual hygiene product and supporting the implantation of Kano State environmental Policy by the states Ministry of environment among other initiatives of the organization.

Recall that miss Zainab had in August emerged one of the youngest and first female Executive Director of YOSPIS a development based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that has been promoting the social well-being of young people, including women, with decades of impact in Kano State.

The 11-man youth reference group include Miss Hannatu Sulaiman Abba, Abdulbaki Muhammad, Nura Ahmad Muhammad, Muhammad Dahiru Lawal, Khafilu Muhammad Haruna and Miss Hajara Salisu Bako.

Others are, Mubarak Baba Ahmad, Bello Shehu Maude, Khadija Lawal, Muhammad Salisu Abdullahi and Miss Rukayya Shuwa.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Salisu Musa on behalf of CHR noted that the inauguration is a historic event for YOSPIS to have the first youth reference group since its existence almost three decades ago.

“This will expand the scope of stakeholders to include everybody who has something to give the organization towards achieving its developmental agenda in Kano and beyond,” he said.

While speaking, Musa Abdullahi Sufi, a development expert and technical lead, Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation, urged the newly inaugurated team to take advantage of the opportunity offered by YOSPIS to build their capacity, explore networks while at the same time impacting on the society.

“As a development worker with various International Organizations, I have seen senior government officials from Britain and Europe are sending their children to volunteer in Africa Asia etc because of the importance attached to it,” Sufi said.

Revealing that the benefit of volunteerism are limitless, he stated that it include self-empowerments, self-development, “networking in terms of meeting people you’ve never seen who have opportunities currently or in the future, in addition to working experience which is a recruitment pre-requisite for most organization and exposure to global opportunities,” he stressed.

On her part, Nafeesa Murtala Ahmed, Programs Manager Express Radio and presenter ‘Hasken Matasa’ youth-based program by YOSPIS and CHR, congratulated the appointees and charged them to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I am a product of volunteerism, and it has boosted my capacity and encouraged me to do other things I thought I couldn’t do before and looking back now, it is worth it,” she said.

She advised the newly inaugurated 11-man team to work together and be willing to sacrifice a lot to make the agenda succeed.

Earlier, YOSPIS Executive Director, Zainab Nasir Ahmed while inaugurating the team charged them to support YOSPIS in actualizing its goals.

“I believe in your abilities and capacities 100%. We have on several occasions worked together directly not indirectly to implement various projects and I experienced the teamwork and passion in relating with you. I understand how passionate you are in making impact and pushing for progress in the society,” she emphasized.

She appreciated Aminu Magashi Garba foundation for sponsoring its ongoing ‘Hasken Matasa’ weekly radio programme and CHR for supporting YOSPIS to hold the inauguration.

The term of reference for the newly inaugurated team includes, providing technical support to YOSPIS, attending monthly review meetings and participating in YOSPIS programme of activities among other terms.