This year’s edition of Eko Youths Democracy Symposium in commemoration of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second anniversary with the Theme: “Nigeria Democracy: Youth On Call” held on Saturday June 12, 2021 at LTV 8 premises, Ikeja.
The event was witnessed by participants from different zones within state.
Students from various higher institutions of learning in the state participated and lecture was given by experts from different fields of human endeavours.
The event kicked started with clips on how the late Chief MKO Abiola was arrested and taken to police custody.
Seated beside him then was the commissioner of police in the state, and Abiola was heard speaking with a BBC correspondent and shouting, while he was being arrested and taking to custody.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu On Youths Development, Hon. Saheed Akanbi Afonja
In his opening speech, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Youths Development, Hon. Saheed Akanbi Afonja appreciated the Govenor for his youthcentric projects and unending list of youthful programs executed so far which includes;
Annual Internship Programme for 4000 graduates
Reconstruction of Abesan Youth Centre
Construction of basketball court and upgrading of football pitch at Ikeja Youth Centre
Lagos Care program for Youth and Vulnerable
Renovation of Ikorodu Youth Centre
Renovation of Lafiaji Youth Centre, Lagos Island
Renovation of Omituntun Playground, Akowonjo
Renovation of Campus Square Recreation Center, Lagos Island to mention a few.
Afonja added that definitely more were still coming as the administration continued.
He said that from time immemorial, the youth of a nation were like a ladder that helps to raise the nation high.
“They are the major strength of a state and the country at large. No doubt, this present administration, led by the youthful Governor with stupendous projects, His Excellency Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has not for once sidelined the youth in his administration as he ensures that the opinions of the youth count in the governance of the state.
“The T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the Governor, which is a driving force for a greater Lagos of our dream, embraces youth involvement in all spheres,” he said.
He stressed that the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in the state, Hon. Segun Dawodu ensured that all hands are on deck in order to not only accommodate the youth, but help to increase their standard of living through various activities.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at all time reiterates his commitment towards youth development in the State.
“However, governance is a collective exercise, we should continue to play our part by getting involved in leadership, constructive criticism, support and leadership.
“We must understand that no nation can strengthen her democracy without patriotic citizens, innovative youths, dutiful leaders and a peace loving population.
“Therefore the importance of Youth in a democracy can’t be undermined but entrenched,” he said.
Afonja also extended gratitude to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said laid the foundation and template for youth to participate and excel in all spheres of government during his tenure as the governor and till date.
Speaking further, Afonja said that concerning June 12 and democracy, people like him were still very young at that time, and that it was one of the reasons they decided to bring Pa Ayo Opadokun on board so that they could learn more from him.
“More importantly, as youth, for progress and development sake, democracy is very important to us but how to sustain it should be our priority, because there’s no way we can talk about democracy in Nigeria without June 12 and there’s no way we can mention June 12 without democracy,” he said.
Talking about how they were able to get many participants and dignitaries that attended the event when protests and agitations were going on in some parts of the state and country, Mr. Afonja said that he was not new when it comes to organising events.
He stated that having been part of event organization for youths of the APC, they knew where to touch and who to call upon when the need arises.
He said: “we know who to invite for such an event. I don’t even know many of the people who are at the event, but we have been able to throw it out so that common youths could also benefit from the program, and the turnout has been overwhelming.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Press secretary to the Governor, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said that he had to be there because the issue of youths is very important and very germaine to the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who he said cared so much about the interest of the youths.
“That’s why if you look around, the governor has done so many things for the youths that would bring about development and not just setting up youth centers across the state.
“He ensured that one of the major pillars of his administration is technology and he ensures that the youths take a sizeable chunk of it.
“The governor has sponsored so many youths camps. So the state is engaging the youths in so many areas.
“That’s why I have to be present here because this is one state that cares about the development of the youths, and the youths should not feel excluded from the governance of the state at all,” he said.
Akosile stressed that the importance of the event was for the participants to reflect on how the nation got democracy and how we got to this dispensation.
Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile
“Many of us who are old enough at the time, we knew the significance of the democracy that we are now enjoying, though, I was in the university at that same time.
“It was indeed a day Nigerians shunned ethnicity, northwest/ southeast dichotomy, but came out to vote for one person, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and we know the effect of the annulment of the election.
“Several years after, we had a president who officially declared June 12 as democracy day in recognition of the day and I believe it should be a day the leadership of the country should reflect on the position of Nigeria.
“We should ask ourselves, where has this democracy taken us to, and if it has taken us to, if it has taken us to where we should be, if the answer is no, what are the plans for us to get to where we ought to be. This is what I think should be the significance of the day,” he said.