Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State has expressed his satisfaction over the conducts and achievements of youths in the state.
The governor in his message to commemorate the International Youth Day (IYD) made this known when he received in audience the leadership of various youth groups in the state.
The youths in large numbers were in Iperu to pay him a condolence visit over the death of his father, Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun on Thursday.
He added that youths in Ogun State have stood out in different fields of endeavours within the state and beyond.
The Governor said: “Our youths in Ogun State are not just the future of the state and country they are, also, the present as well. They are the most connected, the most outspoken and the most open-minded generation our society has ever known.
“We have powerful potentials in our youths, and we must continue to develop the courage to use these potentials in the development of both Ogun State and Nigeria.”
The youth, a synergy of different youth groups in the state who were adorned in a special uniform and who were coordinated by the Special Assistant on Youth and Sports, Olamide Lawal, condoled with the families and well wishers who came out to pay their respect to the one time educationist, who worked as a school teacher for many years accross the old Western States.
Lawal while addressing the youths encouraged everyone to accept the loss as the will of God, describing the late Pa Emmanuel as an upright human being, a deeply religious man and a role model who provided many people with knowledge and exemplary leadership.
He further said that the passing of parents can be painful indeed, that no matter how old they may be, no one ever wants them to leave.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our grandfather and Patriarch, Pa Emmanuel, the Father of the our Youth-friendly Governor who slept in the Lord about a week ago. Regardless of how hurtful this is to all of us in Ogun State and beyond, we must, however, thank God that Baba lived to an advanced age and served humanity meritoriously.
“He was devoted to his religion, family and society; and earned the respect of everyone by living a life of discipline. His passing is no doubt a huge loss to Ogun State and indeed Nigeria.
“We specifically chose today, being the International Youth Day, to pay our condolence so as to use the visit to commemorate the celebration of Ogun youths and the life well spent of our patriarch, Pa Emmanuel particularly for giving us a youth loving governor.
“Gov. Abiodun has proven to be a youth loving governor, who stands out in the inclusion of youths in his government as we are currently experiencing in Ogun State,” he added.
In the same vein, the state Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade (NYCN), Jabaar Ayelaagbe while addressing the governor and other guests said that Pa Emmanuel had touched many lives through his dedicated service to the society by providing productive knowledge to all those who came his way.
He said that governor Abiodun is a reflection of the leadership attributes of Pa Emmanuel by being a youth loving governor who is demonstrating great leadership skills to the youths of the State.
He said: “Ogun State is blessed with productive youths, who are contributing to the growth and development of the state and the country. We stand out amongst other states through our matured conduct as we embark on our daily duties.
“His Excellency runs a government that has a good percentage of youths, these youths also represent the youth constituency of our state and they are making us proud in every ramifications.”
The visitation which comprises different youth groups included: National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN); Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC); Youth In Community (YIC); Remo Youth Association (RYA), and Ijebu Youth Association (IYA).
Others were Egba Youth Network (EYN); Yewa-Awori Youth Council (YAYC); Iperu Youth Development Association (IYDA); Yoruba Youth Council Worldwide (YYCW); APC Youth League (APC YL); and Southern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (SYAN) respectively.
