Youths in Osun State and the country at large have been urged to be agents of positive change and to ensure that participate in the governance.
The was the hallmark of discussion on Saturday, 18th December, 2021 as member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament(NYP) representing Osun Central senatorial district, Babawale Popoola held a Town Hall Meeting with his constituents in Osogbo, the state capital.
Popoola, who was inaugurated penultimate week, said the meeting was to meet with relevant stakeholders and discuss issues that affect young persons in the State.
He added that the dialogue session will serve as a platform for youths to identify challenges tackling youths of the state, and the nation thereby proffering implementable solutions that will be his priorities at the nation’s Youth Parliament.
Also present were Popoola’s colleagues from Osun East, Medayese Tobiloba Fagbowore and Ibikunle Olajumoke of Ekiti North.
Issues around education, infrastructure, Osun EndSars’ report, establishment of Osun youth parliament, Youth Court, Collaboration between the Ministry of youth and parliament, youths engagement in politics, youth empowerment, security, safety and developments in relations and governance, were thoroughly discussed by stakeholders present at the event.
In his reaction, Popoola expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the young people of Osun, leaders, stakeholders for the support as he is ready to deliver the mandate given to him at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, “Whatever is doing for the Youth without the youth cannot stand the test of time”, a major reason why Nigerian Youth Parliament was created, he said.
Speaking to the youth populace, Charles Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Gboyega Oyetola on communication, said there must be a new ideal, “I believe our gathering here will be productive at the state and for the nation.
“Speaking is not enough, after speaking go into action”. Adeyemi said while charging young people to follow the four principles to develop, firstly your emotional intelligent, as young people is not just about title, not occupying a position, but build a character in that postyou are.
“Secondly, book reading has gone down, young people don’t read again, only gathering to discuss celebrity stories, gossip and following social media trends.
“You must be physically intelligent, do exercise, put your body in good shape ahead of opportunity, opportunity will always come and you need a good health to sustain it, prepare emotional, mental and physical for the journey
“Spiritual intelligent is key, there is a God and it is not enough to have passion for change, hold your faith in whatever you claim to be/serving,” Adeyemi concluded.
The second speaker, Comrade Mustapha Olioha emphasized on agitation, says “talk is cheap but with collective action, change is possible.
“You must have what it takes to effect change, please equipped yourself for the Change, and you have to be agitated to get whatever that belongs to you, he said.
Comrade Ayo Ologun of Transparency and Accountability Group, appreciated the Commissioner of youths and sports, Hon. Yemi Lawal for his support for Nigerian Youth Parliament in Osun.
“Not just enough to be a leader, or to be in office.. you must be productive, and use the office for a good records
He called on the lawmakers at all levels to create a platform for the Constituency to engage them.
“Nobody will bring power to you sitting at the dinning table in your home, this is the time we have to prepare as a young people,” Ayo Ologun said.
The Osun APC youth leader, Akinwemimo Olagoke, used the medium to charge young people to get involved, join any Political party of their interest and ideology to be part of the system
“Politics is not a dirty, if you don’t get involved there won’t be a result in politics and governance,” Akinwemimo said.
Popoola Isiaka, narrated the importance of Nigerian Youths parliament, as to build the youth, and build the nation, a platform formed to channel the minds of youths at various states and grassroots to the national assembly in Abuja.
He challenged the Youths to rise, agitate and take what belongs to them through the platform of Nigerian Youth Parliament, which is under Ministry of youth and sports and the platform is raised to be the voice of the Nigerian Youths.
Popoola, who represented Osun youth at youths Parliament in 2008 to 2010.
During the engagement with the Parliamentarian of Osun Central senatorial district, at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Babawale Popoola Jamiu, said all discussions and input have been well taken note and will be channeled to the appropriate quarters for action and effective change as a democratic ways of moving Nigerian forward as “we cannot continue to be using typewriter in the days of new technology
“The agenda for my two years administration will be the voice and minds of the young people in my Constituency as our generation must not fail, Jamiu Popoola said.
Delivering message to the youth populace, on behalf of Mr Governor, Commissioner for youth, sports and special needs, Honourable Lawal Azeez Yemi in his words said Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was impressed when he saw the young Men in charge of the facility at Merido Segilola during a visitation on Monday.
He praised the young men for being productive, Mr Governor said “with this I believe Nigeria can get better”, Lawal said
“There is hope in youths, Together we can build a better Nigeria and a better future of ourselves.”
Further, Yemi Lawal while responding to Question, said “Government doesn’t create employment anywhere in the world, they only create an enabling environment for people to create job opportunities, I encouraged every young people to create opportunity.
“Government should provide basic education which they are doing,” Lawal said
“The rate at which secondary School students fail SSCE Exams is alarming and discouraging as a result of poor preparation, student no longer to take responsibility, the approach now is; go for your Exams, pass and get supported to further your education
“Government is encouraging our students to be responsible and succeed in life as government is ready to support the indigent Students,” Lawal revealed.
Dignitaries present at the event were; Osun NSCDC commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja (ably represented by Daniel Adigun); Kehinde Ayantunji, the SSA to Governor Oyetola on Students Affairs and social mobilisation; Senior Special Assistant on O’meals – Alhaja Fauziat Olaniyan; and many other personalities.
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