In a strategic effort to address the persistent developmental challenges confronting Ose Local Government Area and to strengthen youth participation in democratic and community affairs, the Ose Youths Progressive Initiative (OYPI) on Saturday successfully held its maiden virtual symposium, bringing together youth leaders, media professionals, community stakeholders, and participants from communities across the local government.
The symposium, held via the OYPI official WhatsApp platform, focused on the theme: “Addressing the Underdevelopment of Ose Local Government: A Critical Examination of Youth Participation, Missed Opportunities and Pathways to Sustainable Development.”
The programme placed strong emphasis on the role of youths as critical drivers of social transformation, civic responsibility, and sustainable grassroots development, while also examining long-standing missed opportunities that have contributed to the slow pace of growth in Ose Local Government.
Delivering one of the keynote presentations, Princess Abímbólá Ruth Iyùnajéladéwúrà Òdóginyòn, a distinguished media professional, cultural ambassador, and Chief Executive Officer of IYUNCROWN MEDIA LINK, spoke extensively on the urgent need to confront the structural causes of underdevelopment in Ose.
Princess Abímbólá, a proud daughter of the revered Òdóginyòn Royal Dynasty of Ifón in Ose Local Government, underscored the importance of formal education, youth enlightenment, and community unity as central pillars for sustainable development. She noted that education remains one of the most effective instruments for empowering young people to become productive contributors to society and responsible stakeholders in governance.
She further stressed that unity among youths across the various communities in Ose is indispensable, urging them to rise above division and work collectively toward a common developmental vision.
A highly accomplished scholar and media expert, Princess Abímbólá holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Olabisi Onabanjo University and a Master’s degree in Media Arts from the University of Ilorin, and is currently advancing her academic pursuits at the doctoral level in the United States. Her professional experience spans notable media institutions including LTV 8 Lagos, AIT Ilorin, UNIILORIN FM, SOBI FM, Radio Nigeria, and Viral FM, while she presently serves as a Senior Cultural Officer at the Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Speaking on youth participation in governance and democratic leadership, Comrade Ojo Bright I. Eniafe, Vice President (South-West Zone) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), called for increased involvement of young people in decision-making processes at both the local and state levels.
Eniafe, a respected youth advocate and pro-democracy mobilizer, emphasized that no meaningful development can occur in Ose Local Government without deliberate and sustained youth engagement in governance, policy advocacy, and leadership structures.
He maintained that young people must move beyond observation to active participation by serving as advocates, community mobilizers, and accountable leaders within their various communities.
A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he held several influential student leadership positions, Eniafe has built a reputation as a strategic mobilizer and passionate voice for youth empowerment, good governance, and national unity. His extensive leadership experience includes roles within the ECOWAS Youth Council, the Not Too Young To Run movement, and various democratic advocacy platforms across Nigeria.
During the extensive interactive session, both speakers examined critical developmental sectors requiring urgent attention in Ose Local Government, including education, healthcare delivery, youth leadership development, community advocacy against drug and substance abuse, and stronger collaboration with traditional institutions and local stakeholders.
They jointly called on youths to become peer educators and social advocates capable of sensitizing their communities on the dangers of substance abuse, civic apathy, and social disunity.
The speakers also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between youths, traditional rulers, community elders, and public office holders in order to establish the right developmental direction for Ose.
A community stakeholder present at the event, Chief Taiwo Elerewe, commended the leadership of OYPI for what he described as a timely and intellectually enriching initiative aimed at confronting pressing societal concerns.
He particularly praised the focus on youth development and unity, advising participants to embrace cooperation and collective responsibility as essential tools for achieving recognition and sustainable progress within society.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of OYPI, Comrade Oluwaseun Ogunniyi, described the symposium as part of the organisation’s broader vision to create an inclusive platform for dialogue, policy engagement, and youth-driven solutions to the developmental challenges facing Ose Local Government.
He noted that the mission of OYPI remains centered on youth empowerment, democratic inclusion, social advocacy, and the promotion of community development initiatives capable of transforming the local government from the grassroots.
According to him, the symposium marks the beginning of a sustained movement to engage young people in meaningful conversations and actionable solutions that will drive visible progress across all communities in Ose.
He also appreciated the large turnout of participants from different towns and communities, describing their presence as a strong indication of the growing desire among youths to contribute positively to societal advancement.
Participants at the symposium included representatives and stakeholders from Idoani, Ute, Afo, Idogun, Okeluse, Ijagba, Imoru, Ifon, and other communities within Ose Local Government Area.
Observers at the event described the maiden symposium as a significant step toward building a stronger youth-led democratic culture and a renewed commitment to sustainable grassroots development in Ose.
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