Eddie’s had a heady year as Youth Mayor

Mohammed Adi, Oldham’s Youth Mayor for the past year

OLDHAM’S first Youth Mayor will be handing over the reins after a whirlwind 12-months in the role.

Mohammed Adil (20), from Fern Street, Coppice, has spent the past year accompanying then Oldham Mayor Jim McArdle on public engagements after being elected by the Oldham Youth Council (OYC).

The former Oldham College pupil, who has plans to go to university, took a year off studies to immerse himself in the role as well as be an apprentice with Oldham Council’s Integrated Youth Service.

He admits the past year has been exhausting but well worth it.

He said: “This year has been unbelievable.

“I’ve seen lots of stuff in Oldham that I never knew existed despite having lived here all my life.

“The Yanks weekend in Uppermill was one of the most memorable I attended and seeing all the tanks and Jeeps was amazing.

“It has been an exhausting year, no two days were the same but I loved getting out there and meeting new people.”

Mohammed, also known as Eddie, said his year has taught him a lot about about the role of the Mayor and how the council is structured.

It also enabled young people to approach him and ask questions about his role and the Mayor’s, as well as the council.

He said: “The whole point of the Youth Mayor role is for young people to have a link with the council and get an insight into how it works.

“I was surprised by how much the Mayor actually did — he was always out and about.

“I’d like to thank former mayor Jim McArdle and former Mayoress Kay Knox, it’s down to them that this role came into place.”

And Mohammed has a few words of advice for the borough’s new Youth Mayor who will be elected from members of OYC.

He said: “My advice to whoever takes up the role is to do it with a smile.”