Ekiti youths not waiting for future, building it now — Olu-Ajayi.
The Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Youth Development, Amb. Olu-Ajayi Maxwell O., has urged youths in the state to take advantage of opportunities provided by the government to develop their talents, acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
Olu-Ajayi made the call in a statement on Wednesday to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
He said the theme underscores the fact that young people, despite growing up in different social, economic and geographical circumstances, share common aspirations for dignity, opportunity, inclusion, meaningful participation and a sustainable future.
The governor’s aide said the theme also resonated with the vision of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration, which, according to him, had placed youth development at the centre of its governance agenda.
He said, “Young people do not wait for change; they embody it. Ekiti youths are not waiting for the future; you are building it now.”
He explained that the state’s youth policy and implementation plan had provided a framework for deliberate investments in digital skills, entrepreneurship, technical and vocational education, agriculture, sports and direct engagement with young people.
According to him, initiatives such as the Ekiti Digital Skills Academy, expanded information and communication technology programmes, bursary and scholarship schemes, and the Youth Resource and Job Centre are equipping young people with skills and platforms to transform their aspirations into achievements.
Olu-Ajayi also highlighted the “Youth: Let’s Talk with BAO” platform, saying it had created an avenue for the government to listen to young people while responding to their needs.
He added that the government had supported youth-driven enterprises and community development through grants to youth and student groups, support for young farmers, investment in sports infrastructure and human capital development.
The Special Assistant further said the government was providing training, seed capital and business development support, while its digital inclusion initiatives were helping youths connect with markets and opportunities beyond the state.
He disclosed that the state had also inaugurated a Youth Exchange Sponsorship Programme to enable outstanding Ekiti youths to participate in educational, cultural and professional exchange programmes outside Nigeria.
He said such opportunities would broaden the participants’ perspectives, expose them to international networks and strengthen their leadership and technical capacities.
Olu-Ajayi stated that the Ministry of Youth Development would continue to provide quarterly subventions to duly registered youth groups and eligible students, noting that the support would help fund community projects, skills acquisition programmes, educational needs and youth-led enterprises.
He also assured youths of the government’s commitment to increasing their participation in governance, saying youth voices would continue to be amplified through quota-driven representation in planning and decision-making processes across the state.
He urged Ekiti youths to embrace the opportunities available to them, develop their talents and contribute positively to the growth of the state.
“To the youths of Ekiti, seize the opportunities before you, bring your ideas, your talents and your determination to the table, and lead with courage and compassion. Your contributions are indispensable to our collective progress,” he said.
He congratulated youths across the state on the occasion and prayed for the continued progress and development of Ekiti State.
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