September 1: See What Governor Oyebanji Tells Ekiti Youths

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged young people in the state to shun the pursuit of quick wealth and shortcuts, stressing that sustainable success can only be achieved through discipline, hard work, patience and personal development.

Oyebanji gave the advice as youths across the state marked the 2026 International Youth Day, urging them to take advantage of the various opportunities and empowerment programmes introduced by his administration.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the governor spoke through the Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adedayo, during the International Youth Day Summit organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State chapter.

The governor said his administration had been deliberate and strategic in placing youth development at the centre of its development agenda.

According to him, the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Youth Development was aimed at giving focused attention to the aspirations, challenges and enormous potential of young people across the state.

Oyebanji said his administration had continued to create opportunities for youths in entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, digital innovation, agriculture, sports and other critical sectors.

He highlighted some of the interventions of his administration to include direct financial support to youth and student organisations, skills acquisition and enterprise support programmes, provision of tools and start-up capital for young entrepreneurs, innovation and technology platforms, as well as regular engagement with young people.

The governor urged Ekiti youths to make good use of the available opportunities to acquire relevant skills, establish sustainable businesses and become employers of labour.

While congratulating young people on the occasion, Oyebanji warned against the growing desire among some youths to become wealthy through shortcuts.

“Sustainable success requires discipline, hard work, patience and willingness to develop oneself,” the governor said.

He assured Ekiti youths that his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment for them to thrive, realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to the development and future prosperity of the state.

Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, urged youths to take ownership of the present and position themselves as active participants in shaping the future of Ekiti State and Nigeria.

Aribasoye said the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for young people to thrive, innovate and create wealth.

He urged them to prioritise competence, digital skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, renewable energy and other emerging technologies, adding that they should use their talents to create sustainable enterprises and employment opportunities.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NYCN in Ekiti State, Segun Bankole, commended the Oyebanji administration for what he described as its commitment to youth development and empowerment.

Bankole said the various initiatives of the state government were deliberate efforts aimed at creating opportunities for young people to become self-reliant and productive members of society.

He explained that the Youth Week and International Youth Day Summit were organised to provide a platform for young people from different backgrounds to interact, share ideas, build networks and identify practical ways of contributing to the development of Ekiti State.