…demand for jobs, infrastructure

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and more than 2,000 youths converged on Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, for a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure while providing a platform for young people to articulate their governance and development expectations.

The gathering, tagged “Strategic Ijebu North Youth Retreat/Engagement,” was convened by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on OPIC, Housing and Special Projects, Prince Farooq Adenugba.

Beyond mobilising support for the APC ahead of the next electoral cycle, the forum focused on youth participation in governance, economic development and community-based policy advocacy.

The summit also witnessed the unveiling of the political direction being championed by stakeholders in Ijebu North ahead of the 2027 elections.

Participants declared support for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the APC governorship standard-bearer, with Mrs Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun proposed as his running mate.

The stakeholders equally expressed support for Governor Dapo Abiodun to contest the Ogun East Senatorial seat, while reaffirming their backing for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, the engagement extended beyond political endorsements, as youths urged elected officials to prioritise governance over electioneering and maintain regular engagement with young people beyond campaign periods.

The participants identified unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities as major challenges confronting the area, calling on government at all levels to establish industries capable of creating sustainable jobs for young people.

They also demanded the expansion of vocational and technical training centres, rehabilitation of rural roads to support agricultural activities, improved electricity supply, restoration of local government autonomy and immediate intervention to tackle recurring flooding in parts of the local government.

The youths further called for the establishment of functional constituency offices where residents could formally channel complaints and recommendations to elected representatives. They also urged political leaders to intensify efforts to curb political violence and discourage the recruitment of youths for thuggery.

Addressing participants, Adenugba described the retreat as a governance engagement rather than a political campaign, saying the objective was to strengthen communication between government and the people.

“This was not a campaign. It was an opportunity to compare notes, identify the pain points affecting the youths and society, and also share some of the initiatives, programmes and projects the government is implementing,” he said.

Responding to concerns over infrastructure, Adenugba disclosed that the Ogun State government had approved the reconstruction of the road linking the Permanent Site of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) to Ijebu-Igbo.

According to him, the project has a six-month completion timeline, adding that resolutions reached at the retreat would be transmitted to relevant state and federal agencies for consideration and implementation.

“The government has approved the immediate reconstruction of the road connecting the Permanent Site of Olabisi Onabanjo University to Ijebu-Igbo with a six-month completion deadline. We will also ensure that all recommendations and resolutions from this engagement are forwarded to the appropriate government agencies for necessary action,” Adenugba added.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Otunba Deji Kalejaiye, described the initiative as a commendable effort to deepen democratic participation and promote accountability.

He said providing an avenue for over 2,000 youths to interact directly with public officials demonstrated the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and responsive leadership.