Inauguration: Makinde Charges Oyo Youth Parliament Members to Champion Integrity, Dialogue, Good Governance … As APM Guber Candidate Adekanmbi Attends; Oyekola Marvelous, Afolabi Fathia Emerge Speaker, Deputy Speaker

The Oyo State Government has charged members of the newly inaugurated 3rd Oyo State Youth Parliament to uphold the principles of integrity, discipline, patriotism, and selfless service as they assume their legislative responsibilities.

The charge was delivered by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, who represented Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the inauguration of the 32 members of the 3rd Oyo State Youth Parliament held on Friday at the House of Chiefs Chamber, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Addressing the newly inaugurated youth legislators, Prof. Babatunde described the Youth Parliament as an important platform designed to nurture future leaders, deepen democratic values, encourage constructive debate on issues affecting society, and promote innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.

He urged the lawmakers to regard their inauguration not as a privilege but as a solemn responsibility to serve the people with honesty, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the progress of Oyo State.

“As members of the Youth Parliament, you must embrace dialogue over division, ideas over sentiment, and service above personal interest. Let your conduct reflect the values of respect, accountability, responsibility, and commitment to the development of our dear state,” he said.

The SSG reaffirmed Governor Makinde’s unwavering commitment to youth development, noting that the administration has continued to invest in education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, technology, sports, and youth inclusion in governance as part of its vision for sustainable development.

According to him, empowering young people remains a strategic priority of the Makinde administration because a society that invests in its youth is laying a solid foundation for a more prosperous and inclusive future.

He encouraged the newly inaugurated parliamentarians to maximize the opportunity provided by the Youth Parliament to become catalysts for positive change, ambassadors of peace, and advocates of good governance through constructive engagement and impactful legislative contributions.

Prof. Babatunde further expressed confidence that the Assembly would contribute meaningfully to policy discussions and initiatives capable of advancing the socio-economic development of Oyo State.

On behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, he congratulated the 32 members on their inauguration into the 3rd Oyo State Youth Parliament and wished them a successful tenure marked by exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedicated service to the people of the state.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Adebisi Yusuff, urged the newly inaugurated youth parliamentarians to uphold the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and selfless service. He stressed that empowering young people and providing them with platforms for active participation in governance are indispensable to achieving sustainable development and strengthening democratic institutions in Oyo State.

Also in his goodwill message, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Abimbola Adekanmbi, emphasized the need for greater investment in youth development, noting that young people constitute over 65 percent of Nigeria’s population and should be equipped with quality education, digital skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and other opportunities to unlock their full potential.

He urged the newly inaugurated members of the Oyo State Youth Parliament to take their legislative responsibilities seriously by embracing research, innovation, and informed policy engagement. According to him, effective youth participation in governance requires competence, discipline, and a sound understanding of critical sectors, including healthcare, law, and the digital economy.

Adekanmbi further encouraged the youth parliamentarians to serve as agents of positive change, assuring them that with visionary leadership and committed young leaders, Oyo State is poised for greater growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

The Clerk of the House, Mrs. Taiwo Muraina Akinola lauded the newly members-selects and admonished them to see their emergence as representative of youth across the constituencies of Oyo State is both an honour and a call to service. “You have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the voice of thousands of young people whose aspirations, concerns and hope must find expressions through your deliberations and engagement.

Governor Seyi Makinde Oyo State Youth Parliament is a practical demonstration of the commitment to youth development, leadership grooming and inclusive governance, as it provides a unique platform for young people to gain firsthand experience in legislative practice, public policy discussion, consensus building and democratic leadership.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Oyo State (ALGOS), Oyo State Chapter, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde for promoting inclusive governance through youth participation. He urged the newly inaugurated members of the Oyo State Youth Parliament to justify the confidence reposed in them by engaging their respective local governments, advancing policies that benefit young people, and contributing innovative ideas that will drive the continued growth and development of Oyo State.

In his address, the Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for entrusting young people with leadership opportunities and acknowledged the support of the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, ALGOS Chairman Hon. Sikiru Sanda, and APM governorship candidate Dr. Abimbola Adekanmbi. He assured the newly inaugurated youth parliamentarians of the Agency’s continued mentorship and capacity-building support, urging them to prepare themselves for future leadership roles while commending stakeholders for their commitment to youth development in Oyo State.

In his inaugural and acceptance speech, the newly elected Speaker of the 3rd Oyo State Youth Parliament, Oyekola Marvelous O., who represents the Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency, expressed profound gratitude to God, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, fellow parliamentarians, and all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him. He described his emergence as Speaker as a call to greater responsibility rather than a personal achievement, pledging to provide purposeful, inclusive, and transparent leadership that will strengthen the Assembly and promote the collective aspirations of young people across Oyo State.

Speaker Oyekola further assured members of his commitment to fostering unity, constructive legislative engagement, and policy-driven deliberations capable of advancing youth development and good governance.

He urged his colleagues to rise above personal interests, embrace teamwork, and work diligently to make the 3rd Oyo State Youth Parliament a model of excellence, innovation, and impactful representation.

He also reaffirmed the Assembly’s readiness to partner with government and relevant stakeholders in promoting policies and initiatives