Yoruba Youths Council Meets Minister of Youth, Olawande, Advocates Inclusion in South-West Development Commission

The Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW – Ìgbìmọ̀ Àpapọ̀ Ọdọ Yorùbá Lágbàáyé), the foremost youth body representing the interest of Yoruba youths globally and the official youth wing of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, has reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

This affirmation came during a high-level advocacy visit to the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, held in a collaborative spirit, emphasized strategic engagement on youth inclusion, empowerment, and active participation in developmental frameworks—particularly the newly established South-West Development Commission (SWDC).

Leading the delegation was Asoju Ọdọ Alawode Rahmon Akintunde, National Coordinator of YCYW, who conveyed the Council’s gratitude to President Tinubu for his youth-inclusive governance and policy innovations aimed at national transformation. He commended the President for signing the South-West Development Commission Bill into law and strongly advocated for the inclusion of credible youth stakeholders in the Commission’s leadership and operations.

Asoju Ọdọ Alawode also lauded Hon. Ayodele Olawande for his passionate commitment to youth development, describing him as a worthy voice of advocacy for youth integration in national decision-making. The Minister, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Muhammed Abdullah Funsho, welcomed the delegation warmly and assured continued partnership with youth organizations like YCYW in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In their respective remarks, Queen-Mother Fakayode Abimbola, National Director of Welfare, and Ogbeni Ajibode Abd’kabir, National Publicity Secretary, applauded the Ministry’s efforts towards the upcoming National Youth Conference and for raising the pride of Yoruba youths nationwide.

The meeting concluded on a unifying and promising note, with Deputy National Coordinator, Omoluabi Sunday Adebowale, and National Organizing Secretary, Omoluabi Olasupo Qozeem Olayinka, delivering the vote of thanks. They praised the Ministry’s open-door policy and reaffirmed YCYW’s unwavering support towards the success of national youth initiatives.

The meeting culminated in a mutual agreement for continuous collaboration between YCYW and the Ministry, geared toward promoting youth development, policy inclusion, and empowerment across Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.

Other members of the delegation included: Asiwaju Saheed Oloko – National Treasurer, Omoluabi Kadiri Olamilekan – Assistant National Secretary, Omoluabi Olúwaṣeun Ogunniyi – National Director of Security, Omoluabi Adeyemi Temitope – National Director of Protocol and Strategy, Omidan Rofiat Omonike.