Eddie simply loving it as first youth mayor

MOHAMMED ADIL

“I’M over the moon” — that was the reaction of Youth Mayor Mohammed Adil after learning of his Pride in Oldham nomination.

The 19-year-old, who is also known as Eddie, became the borough’s first youth mayor in May after he was elected by the Oldham Youth Council (OYC).

Eddie, who has just finished a BTEC in Business and Finance at Oldham College has been on the (OYC) for three years and has served a two-year term as the group’s chairman.

The OYC, which was nominated for a Pride in Oldham award last year, was launched by young people determined to give the borough’s youth a greater voice.

As youth mayor, Eddie is loving every minute of his busy role and says the best part of it is meeting new people and encouraging the borough’s youth to use their voice and speak up about their concerns.

Eddie, of Fern Street, Coppice, said: “I love being the youth mayor and I love the youth council, which is a team of 40 young people aged 11 to 19.

“I am 19 now and when I stand down as youth mayor then I will speak to the council to see what I should do.”

Eddie is the eldest of three siblings and is hoping to go on to an apprenticeship with Oldham Council’s Integrated Youth Service for one year, before he decides what he wants to study at university in 2010.

He said: “I’m not sure what career path I want to take just yet but I’m hoping my year out will help me to decide.”

On his Pride in Oldham nomination, he said: “I’m over the moon. It’s really, really good.”

Eddie was nominated by Mari Wiswell, chair of Shaw Parish Council, who said: “He is a superb role model for young people.

“I met him on the youth council and I found him to be compassionate with a great sense of humour.”