By Fatimah Idera
Youths have been urged to build, make an impact and transform their communities to a higher level through the acquisition of skills.
This call was made at the inauguration of the newly elected executive members of the Igbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), held at the Rotary Vocational centre, Lagos State on Monday.
Speaking on the theme ‘youth participation: the recipe of community transformation, the guest speaker and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Prince Waheed Kasali, said community development should be the youth’s primary motive.
Kasali charged the youths to refrain from cybercrime which can influence their life wrongly.
“Your position now should be used to build your town, people around you, your state and community.”
The Chairman of the day, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe stated that communities can only grow if youths build and contribute to their development.
“This coalition depends on the critical thinking and collaboration of the youth to provide the society’s needs and not showing a lackadaisical attitude to the society that builds them.”
In his welcoming address, the outgoing President of the Union, Mr Olugbenga Oduniyi appreciated the IYC members for their contributions to the success of his administration and community development.
He charged the newly inaugurated executives to build on the mantle handed over to them.
While emphasizing youths’ unity in community development, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Government, Olusesan Daini charged the newly inaugurated executives to continue the work of productivity towards community development.
“Your coming together as youths is a very cool thing— I believe it would pay well. If we are together we will become very strong but when we go our separate ways, our strength won’t be strong.
“Your strength would achieve a lot of things for this community.”
The newly inaugurated President, Comrade Kazeem Ogunmuyiwa, said his administration would enrol youths in skill acquisition programmes and empower them after acquiring skills.
Comrade Ogunmuyiwa said his led-administration would reduce drug abuse to a minimum by partnering with Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for campaigns and the creation of awareness in the community.
He said his administration would organize ‘Igbogbo got talent’ to promote and encourage youths with skills.
More so, he called on other members to cooperate in proper community development.
However, the newly inaugurated excos are; President–Ogunmuyiwa Kazeem, Vice-President 1–Odumuyiwa Adewale, Vice-President 2, Oluwadamilola Abisola, General Secretary–Olafare Comfort, Assistant General Secretary–Obayomi Tunde, Treasurer–Williams Odunayo, Financial Secretary–Toyib Aina and Public Relation Officer(PRO)–Aliu Mubarak.
Others are; Project Co-ordinator 1– Ipaye Olawale Taofeek, Project Coordinator 2–Awosanya Yusuf, Welfare Officer –Adelakun Sulaimon, Chief Whip–Idowu Hammed, Legal Adviser–Aroyewun Adeleke, Chairman of IYC’EC’2–Comr. Sanni Toheeb and Secretary IYC’EC’22–Comr. Ewulogbo Temiloluwa.
The event was graced by many dignitaries such as former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Gbenga Oshin, Iyalode of Igbogbo kingdom, Mrs Karimat, Baale of Igbogbo Kingdom, Chief Moshood Adeniyi, Baale Igbe among others.
