Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has charged members of the state’s Youth Parliament to cultivate strong leadership skills, uphold high ethical standards, and embrace selfless service in discharging their legislative duties. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, during a one-day capacity-building training for the 5th Assembly held at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the Governor emphasized that the parliament offers a vital platform for youths to gain governance experience and serve their constituents effectively.
He noted that since October 2022, his administration has heavily invested in education, agriculture, sports, and youth development, including the establishment of a full-fledged Ministry of Youth Development, to ensure young people become self-reliant and productive citizens.
Delivering an insightful keynote teaching titled “The Art of Effective Representation: From Constituency Needs to Legislative Action,” Keynote Speaker and facilitator Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarenwaju drew from his national legislative experience to school the young lawmakers.
He detailed the three core constitutional functions of the legislature, law-making, oversight, and representation, while cautioning them against common hurdles such as bureaucratic delays, resource constraints, and competing interests. Hon. Olarenwaju urged the participants to look beyond physical projects and master how to translate grassroots needs into tangible legislative outcomes through proper motions, bills, and continuous community engagement.
In his goodwill message, Technical Advisor on Youth Inclusion, Hon. Ayo Ojo, commended Governor Oyebanji for putting together such a remarkable program, noting that legislative processes and governance demand deep discipline, integrity, and intellectual maturity.
He challenged the young parliamentarians to approach the training with utmost seriousness and ensure that the knowledge acquired translates into purposeful contributions on the floor of the House and positive impacts on the lives of Ekiti youths.
Adding his voice to the encouragement, Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo, Director-General/Special Adviser Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), urged the parliamentarians to put their best foot forward as a very bright future awaits them. He advised them to listen attentively, take comprehensive notes, put lessons into daily practice, and embrace the continuous cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning.
Setting a strong administrative tone for the assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Adesola Gold Adedayo, officially welcomed stakeholders and participants to the conference hall.
Highlighting the administration’s steadfast commitment to youth empowerment, Hon. Adedayo underscored that the training was a strategic investment in democratic governance. He reminded the 5th Assembly members that their conduct must consistently reflect the core values of discipline, intellectual maturity, accountability, and respect.
The high-impact capacity-building event drew an array of distinguished personalities, key government functionaries, and stakeholders. Those who attended and added immense value to the program includes the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Institutions, Prof. Azeez Akeem; Director General Bureau of Community Communication, Hon. Mary Oso-Omotosho, Ministry of Youth officials; and members of the 5th Assembly of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament.
In concluding the robust engagement, stakeholders reiterated that the quality of leadership desired for Ekiti State tomorrow heavily depends on the character, discipline, and legislative capacity built among young leaders today.
The program successfully closed with renewed commitments from both the state government and the youth parliamentarians to deepen the foundations of grassroots democracy, transparency, and people-oriented representation across all constituencies.