Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged members of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament to uphold integrity, develop strong leadership skills, and embrace selfless service in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
The Governor made the call during a one-day capacity-building training for members of the 5th Assembly of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament, held at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti.
He was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo.Oyebanji described the Youth Parliament as an important platform for young people to gain practical experience in governance and effectively represent their constituents.
He highlighted his administration’s investments in education, agriculture, sports, and youth development since October 2022, including the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Youth Development to promote youth empowerment and self-reliance.
Speaking on the theme, “The Art of Effective Representation: From Constituency Needs to Legislative Action,” the keynote speaker and facilitator, Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarenwaju, urged the young lawmakers to translate the needs of their constituents into meaningful legislative actions.
Drawing from his national legislative experience, Olarenwaju identified law-making, oversight, and representation as the three core constitutional functions of the legislature.
He cautioned the participants against challenges such as bureaucratic delays, limited resources, and competing interests, stressing the importance of community engagement and the use of legislative instruments, including motions and bills, to address grassroots concerns.
In his goodwill message, the Technical Adviser on Youth Inclusion, Hon. Ayo Ojo, commended the state government for organising the training and encouraged the parliamentarians to approach their responsibilities with discipline, integrity, and intellectual maturity.
Similarly, the Director-General and Special Adviser in the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo, urged the participants to pay attention during the training, take comprehensive notes, and apply the knowledge gained in their legislative duties.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Adesola Gold Adedayo, who welcomed stakeholders and participants to the event, described the training as a strategic investment in democratic governance and youth empowerment.
Adedayo charged members of the 5th Assembly to uphold accountability, discipline, respect, and intellectual maturity in their conduct.
The event was attended by government officials and other stakeholders, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Institutions, Prof. Azeez Akeem; the Director-General of the Bureau of Community Communications, Hon. Mary Oso-Omotosho; officials of the Ministry of Youth Development; and members of the 5th Assembly of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament.The training concluded with rene
wed commitments to strengthening grassroots democracy, transparency, and people-oriented representation among young leaders in Ekiti State.
