The State of Osun Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barr. Olubukola Olaboopo and ASSEMBLY the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Lekan Olatunji yesterday made the list of top 100 most distinguished African young leaders in an Award conferred on them in the Royal African Youth Leadership Award by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and presented to them by the Minister for Youths and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare.
The occasion which took place at the Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife attracted personalities from around the globe one of whom is the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria.
While rendering her goodwill message, the Commissioner said that the Governor Gboyega Oyetola led administration is very youth friendly and has over 80% of his cabinet members as young and energetic people.
Barr. Olaboopo while reiterating that investment in our youths is the greatest investment anyone or nation can make, she mentioned challenges which women and the nation at large face emphasising that the correction of these anomalies lies in the hands of the youths.
She announced that the State government is open to collaborations from international partners and well meaning Nigerians who are ready and willing to invest in the youths. She urged the youths to start to think differently and ask themselves if as individuals, they are ready to take up leadership roles.
While Speaking, the Ooni of Ife who is the Chief Host, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye Ojaja II said Africa is reaping a tremendous demographic dividend from this millennium generation with exciting and fascinating growth which is altering the continent’s socio-economic development for good.
The Honourable Minister for Youth and Sport, Mr. Sunday Dare stressed that if any government refuses to invest on its youths such a government would witness a retrogressive development.
He noted that 1.5 million Nigerian youths are targeted to be employed this year by the Federal Government and the Government is ready to partner with the Royal African Youth Leadership Forum.
The Honourable Commissioner dedicated the award to the Governor of the State for his investment in youths.
Among prominent Nigerian youths who bagged the Royal Awards are; Lateef Adedimeji, Kenny Blaq, Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, RT Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, the grandson of President Sheu Shagari; Bello Balls Shagari, the grandson of Nigeria foremost politician late Obafemi Awolowo; Seyi Awolowo, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sport, a young man who developed and fabricated a car model called CURRI, a young man who developed a generator that uses water to generate electricity, Oyo State House of Assembly Deputy Chief Whip among others.
