Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has charged youths in the state to take advantage of empowerment opportunities provided by his administration to acquire skills, build sustainable enterprises and become employers of labour.
The Governor gave the charge at the weekend during the International Youth Day Summit organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Ekiti State Chapter, to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day. The event held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, Ado Ekiti.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Gold Adedayo, Governor Oyebanji said his administration has prioritized youth development through entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, digital innovation, agriculture, sports and other sectors.
He listed government interventions to include direct financial support to youth and student organizations, skills training with startup tools and capital, innovation and technology platforms, and regular youth engagement programmes.
The Governor also advised youths against seeking quick wealth through shortcuts.
“Sustainable success requires discipline, hard work, patience and willingness to develop oneself,” he said, adding that his administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment for Ekiti youths to thrive.
In his keynote address, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, urged youths to reject the notion that they are “leaders of tomorrow” and instead take ownership of the present.
He said government cannot employ everyone, but must create an enabling environment for young people to innovate and create wealth. He challenged them to focus on competence, digital skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture and renewable energy.
Aribasoye further called on youths to move “from consumption to creation and from protest to constructive policy engagement” by identifying societal problems and developing solutions.
Earlier, NYCN Ekiti Chairman, Comr. Segun Bankole, commended Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to youth development, saying the summit was designed to provide a platform for young people to share ideas, build networks and contribute to the development of the state.
