By Goth Mohamed Goth
Somaliland National Youth Umbrella (SONYO) on Friday night, held at the Mansoor hosted a national forum in commemoration of the country Independence Day which was marked on the 18May, 2016 to discuss the accomplishment achieved in the past 25 years and the role of Somaliland youth in the nation building or national development, the forum included a series of presentations, plenary discussions and group work and Play by SOSCA Drama Group.
Mr. Saeed Mohamed Ahmed, the executive director of Somaliland National Youth Umbrella (SONYO) in his opening speech gave an insight on the forum in which he begun by saying. “As we gather here to commemorate the nation’s 25th Independence anniversary, we are not only celebrating our25 years of existence but we are evaluating the things so far achieved during that period, where we are today and what are the expectations to be tackled in order to have positive effects on the lives of the youth in the country, as young people in any country represent the future of that country. They have a vital role to play in the development of the country a duty they must perform”.
During the ceremony to mark Somaliland 25th Independence anniversary, Mr. Siyad Omer Ali, the chairman of Somaliland National Youth Umbrella (SONYO) begun by stating , “, I would like to send my congratulations to fellow Somalilanders everywhere in the world as they mark the 25th anniversary of the re-assertion of the independence of the State of Somaliland; He further told the audience who attended the occasion at the Mansoor Hotel that it was an important time for the youth organization to embark on hence implement real developmental strategic programmes which would have positive effects on the lives of the youth in the country.
Mr. Siyad Omer Ali further added, “On the other hand, as the chairman of the Somaliland National Youth Umbrella (SONYO) an organization which has produced many leaders over the years and has transcended many challenges since its formation would like to welcome your participation in tonight’s forum on the role of Somaliland youth in the nation building or national development and lastly, I would like to reveal here today that we shall in the near future host a similar summit on Illegal immigration.
The forum included a series of presentations, plenary and group work discussions on how to foster a constructive process of engaging all citizens in building social cohesion, economic prosperity and political stability in a nation in an inclusive and democratic way.
The one day forum brought together youth leaders-from all the six regions of the country , youth serving organizations, government, representatives of the three official national political parties, development partners, civil society organizations private sector and the media.
A documentary film focusing on the past and present Somaliland produced a film cameraman Ali Jibril Hirsi.
Finally, a Play centered on the country’s recognition quest performed by SOCSA Drama Group which was produced by playwright Farah Murtiile and directed by artist cum Singer Ubah fahmo.
