After the departure of 17-year-old Adam Jogee as Haringey youth council leader earlier this month, two new co-leaders have been nominated to represent the borough s young voices. Funmi Abari, 15, is the head girl at Hornsey School for Girls. She is curr

After the departure of 17-year-old Adam Jogee as Haringey youth council leader earlier this month, two new co-leaders have been nominated to represent the

borough's young voices.

Funmi Abari, 15, is the head girl at Hornsey School for Girls. She is currently studying 13 GCSEs and aspires to be the first female black prime minister. She lives with her parents and five siblings in Tottenham.

"I joined the youth council last year and have been involved all year with it," she said. "But lots of people in the borough didn't know about us and the work we do wasn't making a significant difference.

"I thought that with a new leader we could achieve something and show we do have a voice.

"I aim to ensure that as a youth council we represent the youth and not our adult peers. I felt that last year the cabinet almost dictated to the rest of the youth council. My aim is to get the whole council together.

"I want to get us known by the rest of the young people in the borough. People don't realise that the youth council is there for them.

"We also need to work together to make real changes throughout the borough.

"My main aim is that we become more green. I hope for the Youth Council to encourage our peers to recycle more and hopefully on a larger scale get 90 to 100 per cent of the borough recycling.

"A lot of young people fear travelling between different wards within the borough. Wood Green boys regard Tottenham boys in Wood Green as trespassing and so conflict arises. This to me is absolute nonsense."

Areeb Ullah, 16, is studying politics, history, maths and literature AS levels at Haringey sixth form centre. He lives with his parents and two younger brothers in Tottenham.

"I was nominated to be leader by a friend and thought I'd give it a go," he said. "It's a good opportunity so I took it.

"There had always been one leader and it was time for a change. I've lived in Haringey my whole life and know what obstacles young people face, like drugs and crime. I know what happens when people don't have youth clubs and role models.

"When I told my friends I was leader of the youth council they didn't know what it was about.

"I hope to increase the representation of the council and increase awareness.

"I want to make sure there is an established voice for young people in Haringey.

"I hope to put on workshops which talk about major issues affecting people in the borough like postcode wars. People are scared to voice their opinions. I hope to bring a solution to those problems because it affects everyone in the borough.

"Sporting events, like tournaments, could be one way to help this problem.