Youths in Lagos, under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), have called for increased participation in governance to drive socio-political and economic development in the state. This demand was made at the end of a youth and governance symposium organized by NYCN last Saturday at the Dr. Lolade Okoya-Thomas Hall within Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The symposium, themed “Youth In Governance: Building A Foundation For Sustainable Development,” saw the representation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, by Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende. Key demands from the communique signed by NYCN Chairman, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan, include:
– 40% Youth Inclusion: Collective efforts towards ensuring 40% youth representation in the forthcoming LGAs and LCDAs elections.
– Voter Registration: NYCN should lead a massive drive for youths to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
– Inclusion of People with Disabilities: Integration of People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) into governance at all levels of government in Lagos State.
– Youth Departments: Establishment of Youth departments in each LGA and LCDA ahead of the elections.
– Symposium Expansion: Domestication of the Youth and Governance Symposium across the 57 local branches of NYCN in Lagos State.

Speaking on behalf of the state Governor, Hon. Ogunlende praised NYCN for creating a platform to engage emerging leaders, assuring continued support for youth inclusivity and human-capacity development.

On her part, the Deputy speaker, Rt. Hon. Meranda lauded the chairman of the youth body, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan for the thoughtfulness of putting such a mega platform together to further bridge the gap between government and the teeming youth. The astute lawmaker reiterated the state assembly’s resolve to continually give legislative support for beneficial policies to the teeming Lagos youth.

The event also featured a panel session wherein the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA and Secretary of Conference 57; Hon. Rasaq Ajala, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Builder Sesan Daini, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Temitope Adewale, Leader Ismaeel Odulana A former NYCN Lagos State Chairman, Leader Ismaeel Odulana, former Coordinator of NYCN Olorunda Local Branch; Comr. Abdulsalam Ashade took turns to share insightful ideas on how youths can better contribute to the socio-political growth of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

A major highlight of the epochal event was the decoration of Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende and Hon. Mojisola Meranda as Lagos Youth Development Ambassadors, respectively while Hon. Moremi Ojudu, Hon. Temitope Adewale, Hon. Ajala, Builder Olusesan Daini and Leader Odulana got similar honor in appreciation of their unwavering and continued support to NYCN Lagos. 

Other notable dignitaries in attendance included, the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was represented by Hon. Abimbola Orekoya, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Youth and Social Devt, Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu ably represented by the Director of youth Mr. Lateef Saka, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Housing, Hon. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the National President Of NYCN, Amb Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, NYCN National Vice President (Southwest), Comrade Tomi Amosu, the National PRO Comrade Dotun Omoyele, the Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, Human Rights and LASIEC (LAHA), Hon. Ladi Ajomale, the Chairman of Isolo LCDA Otunba Olasoju Adebayo represented by his Special Adviser; Hon. Abiola Ayinde-Marshal, the Vice Chairman Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Gbenga Abiola (Agbelebu), the Chairman of NYCN Advisory Council, Hon. Lolade Shonibare, CEO of Utiva Otunba Eyitayo Ogunmola, and the President of Lagos State Public Service Club, High Chief Kayode Odunuga. Others include the Senior Special Assistants to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Wealth Creation – Amb. Saheed Tijani; Youth Mobilisation, Hon. Alabi Opeyemi; Social Development – Hon. Biliamin Oba, Civic Engagement – Hon. Ruth Lijirin, Students’ Union Affairs and Tertiary Education, Hon. Samuel Kappo and Hon. Adeola Adewunmi, respectively among others.