Wale Jagun, Mariam Akinloye with Taiwo Oluwatoyin (Trainee)
The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA),Omoo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA) and the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende have charged youth on the need to recognize opportunities around them and develop themselves.
Both public officers gave the charge in Igbogbo on Saturday at the session tagged, “Mentorship Session with HOA”, organised by the Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA in commemoration of the 2025 International Youth Day, held at the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA secretariat.
While the young council boss is the initiator/host, the commissioner delivered the keynote address.
Aroyewun, welcoming guests and participants, said that youth as the catalyst of change are today’s leaders. He added that the session is to help youth develop abilities to be meaningful contributors to societal development.
“This year’s theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, speaks directly to the passion, creativity and resilience that define our young people. The 2025 international youth day reminds us that youth are not just leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders of today, catalysts of change and partners in progress. Today’s session offers us the opportunity to reflect on how our local actions can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and the future we all desire.”
Omo’oba Aroyewun further posited, “As an administration guided by and committed to the GLORY Agenda, we believe that empowering our youth is not an option. It is a necessity. The pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals requires innovation, responsibility and courage at the local level. It demands young leaders who are ready to shape their communities and transform their worlds.
“When youths are equipped with knowledge, mentorship and opportunity they rise above every limitation. They find solutions in education, technology, environmental sustainability and in governance. They become the builder of a future that Is inclusive, prosperous and peaceful.
“This mentorship session is therefore more than an event. It is a call to action. it is a reminder that real progress depends not only on politics and plans, but on the personal commitment of individuals, especially young people who dare to make a difference,” Aroyewun said.
Hon. Ogunlende, expressed his disappointment in what he termed disconnect between the youth and government, charging young people on the need to know and have good understanding of what the government programmes and policies are for them to tap into.
“There’s a disconnect between the government and the youth. A lot of times, the youth don’t even know what is available to them. They don’t even know what opportunities are available to them. In July, we came back from Canada with about 17 youths. Youths like yourself. You don’t need to know me. You don’t need to know Mr. Governor. You don’t need to know the Permanent Secretary. Just have what it takes and meet the requirements and just go for it once you do that. Let me say it in another way – believe in the government.
“Virtually all of us have this perception or some of us have this perception that “government is a man knows man”. That, you must know somebody before you get anything. For me, and in my tenure as the Commissioner for Youth, I don’t do that. I will not do that. When it comes to governance, it’s different from politics. In governance, I don’t ask if you are an APC member or PDP? No, I don’t. Governance is about the people, and the people in this case are the youth. It’s about the people. Because we are in a democracy.”
Emphasising the need to know about life – changing opportunities around them, Ogunlende informed participants about the portal just opened for youths across the five divisions – IBILE Youth Academy and urged them to take advantage of it.
“So, you also need to be aware of the opportunities that are available to you.
“Another opportunity just opened for you. We just opened another phase of the IBILE Youth Academy. As a matter of fact, we just opened the portal on Friday.
“For us in Lagos State, we started celebrating the International Youth Day for over a week, and one opportunity that is ongoing now is a business amplifier for youth out there that are struggling and looking for a platform to thrive. As a government, we know we cannot do it alone, so, we partner with organisations to see how we can collaborate to give youth that platform to thrive.
“The business amplifier is for people that have small businesses and that are registered and in need of support. Such should apply. When you apply, we will teach you literacy skills, presentation and how to go about numbers for your business and if you qualify, you will go through a test, do a pitch and when you win you get the grant.”
The Honourable Commissioner said that about N15millon was disbursed to beneficiaries who got grant ranging from N250, 000 to N500, 000 and N2 Million as the highest. He added that three of the beneficiaries went on to access international grant.
While stating that the business amplifier is one of the ways that the government is creating opportunities and employment, Ogunlende also mentioned Women on Wheels, and another collaboration with LaFarge and charged participants to make good use of their presence on the social media to access these opportunities being provided by the Lagos State Government.
One of the discussants, Mr Owolabi Jamiu, Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, charged youth on the need to study great men and what made them great.
Deputy Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Senator Comfort Olafare, urged youths to be good examples of changes that they desire by being agents of positive changes. She charged girls and women to get more involved in student unionism and community engagement.
On his own, Barr. Adeleke Aroyewun, State NYCN Legal Adviser emphasised the need for the youth to be conversant with their rights and its limitations. He also urged youth in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA to take advantage of the youthful chairman that has good plans for their development by collaborating with his administration.
President, Igbogbo Youth Forum (IYF), Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo unveiled the plans of the umbrella body of youth in Igbogbo to support youth in their education, leadership development and health in fulfilment of the SGD goals. He also assured of partnership with the youth groups, local and state government.
Ashade Abdul Salam, CEO, Green Janitors, who was also one of the discussants charged participants on the need to be consistent with whatever that they are doing and strive to develop themselves. He also emphasised integrity as a virtue that can take them to places.
During the session, the keynote speaker, Hon. Ogunlende, rewarded brilliant participants. Two young individuals that impressed him by recounting what they learned from the panel session, were presented with Bluetooth headsets and reading materials. But the star of the day was a 14-year-old Ayomide, who confidently addressed the audience, shared his dreams of studying cybersecurity, and answered questions effectively. He won laptop for his brilliance.
Other guests in attendance were Comrade Lekan Biliamin Oba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Development who moderated the panel session, Prince Adedayo Ladega, Chairman Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Ameen Olawale Apanisile, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Bola Oladunjoye, Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Hon. Taiwo Oyekan, Chairman, Lagos Island LG, Mr Taiwo Odumbo, Executive Secretary, LGEA, Barrister Ade Ayeni, Vice Chairman Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Basirat Banjoko, Council Leader, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA Legislative Arm, Hon Princess Saidat Adeoba, Councillor, Mr Wasiu Olowu, Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Mr Gbenga Oduniyi, a community leader, and Prince Kazeem Ogunmuyiwa, State NULGE Trustee among others.
