No fewer than 13 persons have received merit awards from the Omu-Aran Youth Forum for their contribution to the socio-economic development of Omu-Aran community in Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the recipients received a plaque at a dinner organised by the forum to mark its 1st Omu-Aran Youth Festival 2015, in Omu-Aran, on Wednesday.

Five other personalities were also inaugurated as matrons and patrons of the forum at the occasion.

The recipients, according to the forum's President, Pastor Doyin Lawal, were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the community in the areas of community service, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Some of the awardees include Chief Michael Abolarin, Pastor Olusola Ajewole, Alhaji Issa Salau and Deacon Richard Adewoye.

Others are Alhaji Musa Salami, Chief Adekunle Oyinloye, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, Alhaji Shaeed Alatise, Dr Ibrahim Kola, Mr Niyi Adeyeye and Mr Kayode Sangoyomi.

Lawal said that the organisation of the youth festival and the award night was aimed at championing a new direction with the focus on reducing poverty and youth unemployment in the community.

He said the choice of the awardees was not based on their level of education, wealth or political influence but was informed by their commitment to improving the wellbeing of the people of the community.

Lawal said the forum was already in collaboration with Landmark University, Omu-Aran, toward encouraging the youth to embrace agriculture as a vocation.

"We have identified agriculture, capacity building, education and training as factors in achieving our aim of overcoming poverty, unemployment and social-vices," he said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Hezekiah Oyedepo, advised the youths on the need to create a website that would allow for a unique data base of personalities for ease of communication.

Chief Bisi Adeyemi, "the Akeweje of Omu-Aran", in a goodwill message, commended the youth for their foresight, especially in the area of security measures put in place in the community.

Alhaji Luqman Owolewa, Chairman, Irepodun Local Government Council, urged the youth to continue to promote unity and peaceful co-existence to move the community forward. (NAN)