The first culture, youth and sports conference in Western Bahr el-Ghazal state concluded last Saturday in Wau to address some of the problems affecting the youth and create a forum to enable them to participate in the development of South Sudan.
The conference under the theme “Together towards a brilliant future for our youths” brought together about 500 participants from the three counties of the state, Radio Voice of Hope reported.The state advisor for youth in the ministry of social development organized the event in collaboration with the national ministry for culture, youth and sports.
Western Bahr el-Ghazal Governor Rizik Zakaria Hassan said during the opening ceremony that he was proud of the youths and congratulated them for the activities they are undertaking to support the government.
He stressed that the youths are the future of the country and therefore they should commit themselves for the development as they did for the independence.
Culture and sports national minister Cirino Hiteng Ofuho said that youth represent 60 percent of the total population and they are very important for development.
He reported that the government is very committed to promote the role of the youth and it will take into considerations all the resolutions from the conference.
Mr. Hiteng added that Western Bahr el-Ghazal is the best state as far as peace is concerned and invited the youth to continue being a good example to the people of South Sudan.
William Deng Madut, one youth from Jur Rive County, expressed his enthusiasm about the initiative and wished it would unite the youth in order to work for a better future for the state.
The Conference was held at Wau Peace Hall on December 16 and 17, 2011.