The Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, under the leadership of its Chairman, Prince Falana Adebowale Adebayo, has marked its first year anniversary with a renewed commitment to empowering thousands of youths across the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, Prince Falana highlighted the agency’s achievements over the past year while unveiling ambitious plans for the future.
Describing the past year as both challenging and rewarding, the Chairman noted that the agency’s efforts to engage and uplift young people are already producing tangible results.
Falana commended the support of the father of Youths in the State Governor, His Excellency Engr ‘Seyi Makinde for providing platforms that empower young people, noting that education, entrepreneurship, and productivity are the cornerstones of national development.
Gov Makinde has unlocked the potential of Pacesetter State youth in creating an enabling environment as well as eco-friendly sustainable products through waste-to-wealth in fulfilling their dreams.
“Our first year has been challenging, but our efforts are yielding results. My aim is to ensure that youths in the state benefit directly from government policies. We have made significant strides, but there is still much work to be done,” he stated.
Prince Falana emphasized that the agency has focused on addressing the critical needs of Oyo’s youth through various initiatives, including skills acquisition, digital training, sports development, and entrepreneurship.
Among the major milestones highlighted was the partnership with The Polytechnic, Ibadan, aimed at equipping youths with practical vocational and technical skills to improve their employability and self-reliance. The agency also collaborated with Planet 3R to train over 97 youths in waste-to-wealth skills in the first phase, with plans to train an additional 200 youths in the second phase.
Falana further disclosed plans to establish a Technology Hub and Skill Acquisition Centre, where young people will have access to cutting-edge training and mentorship for a token fee. This initiative is designed to bridge the digital skills gap and prepare Oyo youth for the demands of the modern economy.
“We are set to empower our youths and expose them to mentorship and internship opportunities that will enhance their personal and professional development,” he added.
The Chairman also revealed that the agency is actively engaging six registered youth stakeholder groups, including the Association of Oyo State Youth Platforms (ASOYOUP), to ensure that its programmes are inclusive, impactful, and far-reaching.
The agency is working closely with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to empower no fewer than 5,000 youths across the state. This collaboration aims to provide access to funding, mentorship, and business support, positioning young entrepreneurs for long-term success.
Reflecting on the recent Oyo Youth Summit, Prince Falana noted that the event is already making a positive impact by changing the mindset of young people towards self-reliance and entrepreneurial thinking.
However, the Chairman acknowledged that changing the mindset of some youths remains a significant challenge, noting that a sense of entitlement continues to hinder progress for many.
“The major challenge we are facing is changing the mindset of our youths due to the growing spirit of entitlement. Our young people must be ready to embrace our programmes and policies if they are to truly benefit from them,” he stressed.
He concluded by encouraging Oyo youths to take full advantage of the numerous opportunities being rolled out by the agency, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to youth development and empowerment.
“Together, we can build a brighter, more prosperous future for the youth of Oyo State. Let’s continue to push the boundaries and redefine what is possible,” he said.
The press conference ended on a positive note, with Prince Falana assuring the youth of Oyo State that the agency will continue to prioritize their growth, innovation, and inclusion in all aspects of governance and economic development.
