The Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Hon. (Prince) Adebowale Adebayo Falana, has commended the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde for what he described as an outstanding 2025 performance scorecard, particularly in the area of youth empowerment and inclusive governance.
Speaking during a live interview on Fresh FM, Ibadan, on Monday, on the program tagged “Year 2025 Scorecard Review—Oyo State Agency for Youth Development”, Falana said the Governor Makinde-led administration has redefined youth development in Oyo State by deliberately positioning young people to thrive across diverse sectors of the economy.
According to him, the state government’s youth-focused policies have translated into tangible opportunities in entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, creative industries, governance, and skills acquisition, enabling Oyo youths to compete favourably at both national and international levels.
Falana noted that Governor Makinde’s commitment to inclusive leadership has ensured that young people are not merely beneficiaries of government programmes but active stakeholders in the state’s development process.
When asked about ways of bridging the gap between what young people do as a course of study and the occupation he/she is doing? Adebowale gave commendations to the father of the Youth in Pacesetter State, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde for introducing a pitching event through the launching of Oyo State Sub-national African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) thereby providing the youth with the necessary skills needed through support from the projects.
He however expressed the mandate of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development to develop programmes and projects that will protect the rights of the youths between the ages of 15 and 35 years, make them responsible citizens, empower them through skills acquisition, promote their full participation in the overall developmental process, and improve their quality of life.
Enumerating the lengthy activities of the agency in the year 2025, Adebowale begins with Permanent office accommodations approved by the father of the youth at the State Executive meetings, where the agency has commenced the construction and renovation of a permanent office complex within the secretariat premises.
Also, registered youth organization activities, supported the planning Congress of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Association of Registered Social Youth Clubs, participated at the 5th edition of the Progressive Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria (PROTAN) youth wing, and partnered with Kunle Afolayan Film Academy through the participation of youths from the Agency at the film village 10-days intensive training at Igbojaye village on the preparation of youths for self-reliance and position of youths as a hub for Nigeria creativity.
Collaboration with Planet 3R (Joke Lasisi) in the training of 1,000 youths across the state on waste to wealth with donation of 50,000 each for 20 outstanding youth, Engaged the Globacom delegation on potential areas of collaboration in leveraging technology to empower youths entrepreneurs and promote digital literacy across, collaborated with OYSADA on the YEAP Safer Loans for Youths in Agriculture in August 2025, Collaborated with Jumoby foundation on the Akika’s acquisition and empowerment of youth, Partnered with First City Monument Bank (FCMB) on launch and issuance of free POS machine and Agent loan to Youths in the State and Engagement of the State Health Insurance Scheme management on the modalities to provide health insurance for youths in the State.
On SKILL ACQUISITION CENTRES
(i) Inspected Whoopy Yun College which is a technical and vocational skill development centre on 24th September, 2025
(ii) Collaborated with Planet 3R on the first Phase training of 97 youths and equipping them with practical skills to convert waste to reusable eco-friendly products through a six-week intensive training programme on 28 June, 2025
(iii) Inspected Mother and Girl Skill Protection Initiative (MAGI) which is a non-profit organization and their aim is training and empowerment of youths and the girl child in different skills in June, 2025.
On TRAINING
(i) Collaborated with the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, organized an orientation programme for the newly elected officers of the Council and the newly Affiliated Member organisations at Youth House Yemetu, Ibadan on 9th and 10th October, 2025.
(ii) Organised an orientation program for the newly recruited members of staff of the Agency in June, 2025 to equip them with the necessary knowledge for them to function appropriately
(iii) Organized Gender based Psychological Development Programme for 30 Young Girls at Simeon Adebo staff Training Centre Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan on Wednesday, 21st May, 2025.
(iv) Refresher Course for 30 Youth Apprentices held at the Conference Room of Ibadan North Local Government, Ibadan on Thursday, 20th March, 2025.
(v) Organised Citizen and Leadership Training Programme for selected 30 Youth Leaders at Akinyele Local Government Conference Hall on Thursday, 4th March, 2025.
INTERVIEW PROGRAMME
(i) Participated in an Interview on the BCOS Programme on Youth Participation in Politics on the Programme tagged “Lotun Lotun” on 28th August, 2025
AWARDS
(i) Award of Excellence was received as African Ambassador for Drug Free Initiative for commitment to youth empowerment and substance abuse prevention across the State and beyond September, 2025
(ii) Every Youth in Politics Governance and Leadership Associations (EYIPGLA) Agency for Youth Development as the Agency of the Year 2025
On ENTERTAINMENT
(i) Successful organization of the International Davido Concert which attracted over 30,000 youths across the Country
(ii) Supported the Amala Festival show which focused on the Cultural heritage of the State
(iii) Supported the WESTNG Show for a musical Concert to display Oyo State musicians
NEXT YEAR
MIC and Mix Competition among Artist Deejay and Hypeman in the State
“The 2025 scorecard clearly shows that Governor Seyi Makinde has redefined youth development in Oyo State. Today, our youths are excelling across all sectors because they are being empowered, engaged, and trusted to lead,” he said.
The youth agency chairman further highlighted key initiatives of the administration, including capacity-building programmes, access to funding for young entrepreneurs, and strategic partnerships with public and private institutions aimed at enhancing youth productivity.
He added that the agency, under the governor’s guidance, has continued to prioritize policies that promote innovation, leadership development, and sustainable livelihoods for young people across the state.
Falana reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining and expanding youth-driven programmes in line with the administration’s development agenda, stressing that the progress recorded so far reflects a deliberate investment in the future of Oyo State.
He urged youths across the state to remain proactive, law-abiding, and supportive of government initiatives, assuring them that the present administration remains committed to creating an enabling environment for their growth and success.
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