The premises of the Karim Adeyemi Foundation, Stargate, Oluyole Extension, Ibadan, came alive on Friday as young people from diverse fields gathered for Ecologue 1.0, a youth dialogue on ecosystems themed “Building Communities for Youth Development.”
The event, jointly organised by the Karim Adeyemi Foundation and Ayo Adams Studio, marked the International Youth Day with a mission to foster connections among young innovators, creators, and professionals from multiple sectors, including technology, science, agriculture, and the wider creative industry.
Speaking on behalf of the Karim Adeyemi Foundation, Aanu Oluyide said, ECOLOGUE 1.0 is just the beginning.
She added that the foundation will continue to create spaces where young people can connect, collaborate, and drive real change in Ibadan.
Her words: “Networking is gold. This is how you give back sometimes, by creating environments where young people can smile and also thrive.”
Speaking at the event, Ayo Adams, Founder and CEO of Ayo Adams Studio, explained the inspiration behind the platform.
He said: “We created Ecologue because we want every youth not just digital content creators to be part of the developmental conversation. We want to see young people from geology, tech, science, agriculture, and other fields come together to network, understand what each is building, and explore ways to collaborate. A platform like this keeps the ecosystem alive.
“Young people often work in silos without knowing the incredible things their peers are doing. Ecologue is about breaking those walls and encouraging collaboration across disciplines. Our growth as a society depends on shared knowledge and collective effort.”
Adams also expressed gratitude to the Karim Adeyemi Foundation for partnering in the vision.
His words: “This programme is dedicated to International Youth Day. We thought it was important to bring something like this to our community. The feedback has been motivating, and we will surely return here again bigger and better.”
The dialogue featured three keynote speakers who shared strategies for young people seeking to grow their influence and impact.
A Broadcaster, Islamiyah Adekola, who spoke on “Owning Your Voice: Creativity for Social Impact”, called for distinctives and uniqueness to make a difference.
Her words: “You don’t have to be a painter or a writer to be creative. Doing things differently, like Tunde Onakoya’s chess activism or a lawyer using unconventional advocacy is creativity. Tenacity and uniqueness make all the difference.”
Encouraging participants to embrace authenticity, she added:
“Your voice is your brand. Don’t imitate trends blindly; instead, focus on the value you bring and how it can create social impact. Creativity is about solving problems in ways that reflect who you truly are.”
A Marketer, Ayileka Samuel, discussing “Selling in Oyo State: Marketing That Resonates”, urged youth to be willing to sacrifice.
His words: “Marketing is focused, intentional, and built around purpose. It’s about relatable content, understanding your target audience, and being willing to sacrifice to achieve impact. Content is king.”
He also stressed the importance of strategy.
He said: “Advertising can get you attention, but marketing gets you results. It’s not just about pushing products, it’s about telling stories, building trust, and connecting emotionally with your audience.”
Also a Social Media Influencer, Abdulrasheed Olanshile, in his session “Digital Gold: Leveraging Social Media for Self-Development”, urged young people to see beyond entertainment.
His words: “Social media is not just for entertainment. It’s a place to learn skills, monetise them, and position yourself for opportunities. If you approach it with the right mindset, it becomes a tool for growth.”
He challenged participants to view digital platforms as career accelerators.
“We’re in a real gold rush era. The people who will thrive are those who invest time in learning, mastering their craft, and building a personal brand that stands out in the global digital marketplace.” he added.
The programme’s highlights included engaging networking sessions, in-depth group discussions, and a showcase of youth-led brands and innovations.
