Minister Santa Alum Ogwang urges Oyam youth to seize opportunities

19 October 2026, 10:00 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President, Hon. Santa Sandra Alum Ogwang, has called on youth leaders in Oyam District to seize opportunities available through government and private initiatives, emphasising that preparedness and responsibility will determine who benefits most.

She made the remarks while officially closing a training organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission in partnership with her ministry at Rainbow Hotel in Oyam Town Council on 15 October 2026. A total of 80 young people completed the training sessions. The participants included youth council chairpersons from all 16 sub-counties, male and female youth councillors, district youth executives and other community members.

The event attracted national and district leaders, who underscored the importance of empowering young people to take up leadership roles and benefit from government programmes.

Hon. Alum described the gathering as a blessing, portraying young people as the light that shines across the world. She commended the Equal Opportunities Commission for prioritising Oyam District, noting that its presence demonstrated a commitment to addressing youth concerns. She also assured the young people of her continued support, pledging to work closely with district leadership and the Commission to address their challenges.

The Oyam Resident District Commissioner, Sgt Shilako James, echoed the minister’s sentiments, thanking the Equal Opportunities Commission for engaging directly with the district. He highlighted challenges affecting government programmes, including restocking and youth livelihood initiatives, noting that unclear guidelines and poor loan recovery rates had hindered progress.

Sgt Shilako pledged stricter vetting of beneficiaries and enforcement of loan recovery measures to ensure sustainability and fairness. He urged youth leaders to mobilise their peers at sub-county, parish and village levels, stressing that leadership must be grounded in responsibility and transparency.

District Planner Mark Agong challenged young people to embrace economic transformation, reminding them that money does not discriminate based on age, gender or academic qualifications. He encouraged them to be proactive, strategic and innovative, urging them to aspire to inspire before they expire.

He emphasised that community mobilisation and mindset change remain critical under the human capital development programme, which he described as vital for Oyam’s young people.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the National Youth Council in Oyam District, Maxwell Edwok, expressed gratitude for the engagement, describing it as a privilege for youth leaders from various parishes.

He pledged that Oyam’s young people would not disappoint, promising to lead by example and demonstrate to the nation that the district produces some of the best leaders. He also announced preparations for the council’s biannual meeting in December, urging fellow leaders to present themselves smartly and uphold the district’s reputation.

The event concluded with leaders renewing their commitment to prioritising youth empowerment, strengthening accountability and creating opportunities to transform lives across Oyam District.