Why we engage youth in governance — Abiodun
…says Ogun to award grants to boost business-oriented youths
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has explained that his administration’s decision to engage youths in governance is aimed at enabling them to showcase their innate abilities while preparing them for future leadership roles.
Speaking at the First Annual Youth Summit and Empowerment Programme, organised by the Ogun State Chapter of the City Boy Movement, at the Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun also announced that his administration would provide grants ranging from N500,000 to N1 million to support business-oriented youths in the state.
These grants are part of the Ogun Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme (Ogun YES), which seeks to empower young people and help them fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams.
Governor Abiodun, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, emphasised that the strength of any society lies in its youth. He reaffirmed that his administration is committed to creating an environment where the youth are not only participants but also innovators and leaders in driving change.
“As an administration, we are committed to ensuring that the youth are not just participants but leaders in making decisions that affect their lives,” said the governor. “We recognise that empowering our youth today ensures a brighter tomorrow.”
He also outlined the government’s plans to expand opportunities for young people, including the upcoming Ogun Youth Agricultural Programme, which will train thousands of youths in advanced agricultural technologies.
The Governor further noted that the Summit was a reminder that hope is not passive but requires active effort, courage, and belief in the potential to achieve great things. The theme of the Summit, “Renewed Hope Agenda: A Concrete Foundation for A Prosperous Nigeria,” he stated, is more than just a slogan. It is a call to the new generation to create, innovate, and shape the future of the nation.
“The youth have the energy, potential, and resolve to transform our communities and the world at large. They are the embodiment of ideas, innovation, resilience, and passion – characteristics that define any generation determined not only to dream but to act,” he added.
Governor Abiodun also expressed appreciation for the Abeokuta chapter of the City Boy Movement for their dedication and commitment to youth empowerment, urging stakeholders to support these efforts in realising the dreams of young people as future leaders.
In his remarks, Mr. O’tega Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communication and New Media, highlighted the success of the National Student Loan Scheme, which has benefitted over 300,000 students, as evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to youth development.
He acknowledged the country’s economic challenges but assured that the federal government is working to overcome them, including reforms that would benefit Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs), who would no longer pay taxes once the Tax Reform Law comes into effect.
Mr. Kamorudeen Yusuf, the Personal Assistant to the President on Special Duties, encouraged the youth to embrace the ongoing reforms and take an active role in building a progressive nation they could be proud of.
Rinsola Abiola, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, expressed her appreciation to Governor Abiodun for his youth-focused programmes, noting that they align with President Tinubu’s goal of uplifting the youth and securing their future.
