By Mark Pam, Jos

The newly sworn-in Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Plateau State, Prince Miaphen, has pledged to unite youths across political, religious and ethnic divides and reposition grassroots sports development in the state.

Miaphen, who stated this shortly after assuming office on Wednesday in Jos, also promised to renovate and complete three youth centres across the state within his first 100 days in office.

He said his appointment by Governor Caleb Mutfwang was a responsibility he would discharge with accountability to God and the people of Plateau State.

The commissioner said he would work closely with stakeholders in the youth and sports sector to implement policies and programmes designed to improve the welfare and development of young people in the state.

Miaphen said his experience as a comrade and unionist at the student, youth and political levels had exposed him to the importance of accountability, adding that he would bring the same principle to his new responsibility.

“I have lived most of my adult life as a comrade and union member, be it at the student level, the National Youth Council or even in the political arena.

“We have fought and criticised government. We have asked questions and demanded that leaders be accountable in their acts of governance.

“Today, God has saddled me with that responsibility. It is my sincere hope and prayer that I will also be accountable to God and accountable to the people,” he said.

On his immediate priorities, Miaphen said he would focus on the completion and renovation of three youth centres within his first 100 days in office.

He said the centres, located in different parts of the state, would provide young people with spaces for skills development, engagement and other productive activities.

The commissioner also announced plans to embark on a statewide tour of the 17 local government areas to engage youth leaders and structures at the grassroots.

According to him, the tour would enable the ministry to listen directly to the concerns, fears, aspirations and expectations of young people across the state.

“I want to embark immediately on a statewide tour of all the 17 local government areas of our state. 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.

“I want to find out what their fears and goals are and what their concerns are. At the end of the tour, we will be able to understand the cause and effect and develop appropriate solutions,” he said.

Miaphen stressed the need for unity among Plateau youths, saying political differences should not prevent them from working together for the overall interest of the state.

He pledged to engage youth groups irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

“We need unity. Plateau youths need to be more united than ever before.

“Who says that if we all belong to different political parties, we cannot still work as brothers? Who says we cannot unite for the overall interest of our state?

“At the end of the day, when the time for politics is right, we can go our various destinations and directions. But as youths, as Plateau youths, I will work tirelessly to ensure that we stop portraying our state in bad light,” he said.

The commissioner also called on Plateau youths to be mindful of the manner in which they portray the state, particularly on social media.

According to him, many negative narratives about Plateau are initiated by young people, a situation he said did not serve the interests of the state.

On sports development, Miaphen said his administration would place greater emphasis on grassroots sports, noting that the state had enormous sporting talents that could be developed into national and international stars.

He said the ministry would establish stronger foundations for sports development from the community and district levels through the local governments to the state.

“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.

“I will be engaging and participating in most of these local competitions. We need to lay down foundations, policies and principles that will help develop grassroots sports,” he said.

Miaphen further pledged to work with the various sporting associations and stakeholders to improve the fortunes of sports in Plateau State.

He said the ultimate goal was to create an environment where young athletes could discover and develop their talents and eventually represent the state and country at major competitions.

The commissioner also assured staff of the ministry and athletes that he would operate an open-door policy and work as a team with all stakeholders.

“I am a team player. I want to work and I will work. I belong to all. I do not belong to nobody.

“I am here because the government found me worthy to be here. So, I am going to be very precise and blunt. God willing, we will work closely with all of you to ensure that we achieve the desired result,” he said.

Miaphen also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his efforts in providing opportunities for Nigerians, saying Plateau youths would continue to support the President.

He equally commended Governor Mutfwang for what he described as his commitment to youth inclusion and development, noting that the governor had demonstrated confidence in young people by appointing them into positions of responsibility.

Earlier, the immediate past Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Ashoms, who has moved to the Ministry of Commence and Industry said he was leaving the ministry satisfied with the achievements recorded during his tenure.

Ashoms said Plateau participated in the National Sports Festival and won 96 medals, describing the achievement as a product of the support provided by the state government.

He also highlighted youth empowerment initiatives implemented by the ministry, including the distribution of industrial sewing machines and touchscreen laptops to beneficiaries.

According to him, the ministry ensured that youth structures and staff were included in the empowerment programme to promote fairness and inclusivenes.

Ashoms also disclosed that six widows were employed under one of the initiatives, with the beneficiaries selected from the host community.

He urged his successor to improve on areas where his administration might not have performed optimally, assuring him of his support and prayers.