Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke, has hailed the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for running a youth-friendly government, stating that the policies implemented by the administration are preparing youths for a great future.
Adegoke, who stated this on Friday while participating at the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Briefing, said Makinde runs a government that prioritises youth inclusiveness and has placed them at the centre of his major programmes and policies.
The Commissioner said that the Makinde administration has, in the last two years, taken concrete steps to uplift and equip youths, citing the youth empowerment programme where hundreds of youths across the state were trained in entrepreneurship, digital literacy and personal development, which have helped them to gain relevant skills.
She added that the state government also held the first-ever Oyo Youth Summit, which brought together over 5,000 young participants including creatives, entertainment sector players and outstanding youths in different fields.
Adegoke also noted that the Ministry introduced over 2,000 youths to agriculture, providing access to land, tools, and training in agribusiness, while various initiatives on sports development have also yielded positive results for the state.
She said: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, whose visionary leadership and unwavering support has been the cornerstone of everything we have achieved.
“The governor’s commitment to the growth of youth and sports in the state has not only enabled our Ministry to function at its best capacity, it has also inspired a generation of young people.
“Let me start by saying that the governor promised during the campaign for Omituntun 2.0 that he would appoint youths into the Executive Council. To the glory of God, the youth inclusiveness in this administration has been top-notch. I can say that the government of Engr. Makinde is the best in the area of empowering youths.
“Young people remain at the heart of everything we do. Over the last two years, we have taken concrete steps to uplift, empower, and prepare them for the future. We organised the Youth Empowerment Programme, an initiative that enabled 500 youths across the state to receive training in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and personal development, helping them gain relevant skills for the modern economy.
“We also organised the first-ever Oyo Youth Summit, held under the theme “Unlocking Youth Potential, Addressing Needs & Fulfilling Dreams.” The landmark event brought together over 5,000 young participants.
“We had mentorship sessions from leaders in entertainment, education, creative arts, environmental activism, and more and our youths were able to connect, learn, and grow in a space built just for them.
“The governor was on seat to address the youth and he reiterated that his government would continue to ensure that the needs of youths will continue to be addressed so that they can fulfill their potential.
“Let me also add that we held the International Youth Week 2024, during which we aligned Oyo State with the global youth development agenda by celebrating “Green Skills for Youth.” The programme featured exhibitions, panel discussions and innovation labs to showcase local talent and sustainability.
“We also collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to train over 2,000 youths in agriculture and agribusiness and another 1,500 youths on how to export non-oil products. As we speak, a number of them have reached out to us that they are doing well.”
In the area of sport development, the Commissioner noted that the administration made tremendous marks in the sector, which had hitherto become relegated, noting that the state had its maiden outing on her watch at the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State in 2024 to showcase talents in different sports.
She stated that the state used to excel in about 15 to 20 sports, but that the number has gone up to about 36, with athletes doing well in different sporting activities as they have access to training facilities at the Lekan Salami Sport Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, which was remodeled by the Governor Makinde administration.
She lauded the administration for resuscitating sporting facilities beginning with the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex and the construction of mini-stadia across the state.
“Before, Oyo State used to be in 18th or 20th position on the medal table at the National Sports Festival. But, under Governor Makinde’s leadership, we participated at the National Youth Games for the first time and we ended up in the seventh position.
“We participated in the physically challenged sports also known as Para Games in 2023. And, in that edition of the Para Games, our people showed that there is ability in disability, as Oyo State athletes came up in fifth position.
“I can tell you that Team Oyo is now on the global map, as our athletes represented Oyo State and Nigeria in Ghana, Algeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, excelling in sporting activities like Badminton, Judo, Cycling, Weight Lifting, Chess, Taekwondo and more.
“In all these, we have elite athletes, who represent Oyo State anywhere across the country and they are doing so well, winning gold and silver medals and hardly bronze,” she said.
Adegoke noted that as part of the Makinde administration’s success in sport development, the state has established a female football team and the governor has given his approval to support the team, with the Ministry set to hold the first-ever trials for female footballers of Oyo State extraction.
She noted that prior to establishing the female football team, the state had 3SC and Crown FC, Ogbomoso, noting that the support of the state has enabled Shooting Stars to stay in Nigeria Premier League for consecutive years, while the Crown FC was able to excel to the Super 8.
Adegoke maintained that her Ministry has also collaborated with development partners, NGOs and private organisations, which have supported youths in the state with technology-based scholarships, grants and so on, noting that her Ministry has 128 registered youth organisations, out of which 50 bodies are into grants.
She said that hundreds of youths have also been engaged through NG-CARES, just as she added that Governor Makinde has also made a major impact on youths in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as the governor approved improved monthly stipends for corps members serving at the Oyo State Secretariat.
Responding to questions from newsmen, Adegoke said that the state’s recent success in national sport competitions were due to the incentive system put in place by the governor, pointing to how the state came fifth on the medals table in the last Sports Festival.
She added that there has been a wholesome approach to sports development in the state, saying: “We are not only promoting football, we promote 36 sports in Oyo State. We met 26, but now they are 36. If there is no development and engagement, they will not increase. We look at every sport, and on a daily basis, if you go to Lekan Salami Stadium, you will see our athletes training every day. They train every day, activities are going on every day at the Lekan Salami Stadium, and other mini stadia across Oyo State.”
Also in attendance alongside the Commissioner for Youth and Sports were the Coordinating Director of the Ministry, Mrs Olubisi Adegoke and the Director, Admin & Supplies, Mrs Folashade Idowu.
