PRESS STATEMENT
ONDO STATE YOUTH NETWORK CALLS FOR YOUTH INCLUSION IN CHAIRMANSHIP AND COUNCILORSHIP POSITIONS ACROSS THE STATE
The Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN) is calling on political stakeholders to prioritize the inclusion of young people in leadership positions, specifically in the upcoming Chairmanship and Councilorship elections across Ondo State. With the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) having announced August 30th, 2024, that the Local Government Elections will hold on January 18th, 2025, this is an opportunity to ensure youth representation at critical grassroots levels of governance.
We strongly urge all political parties (such as APC, YPP, PDP, others) to recognize and nominate young individuals of character, competence, and integrity to contest in these elections. As a youth-led organization committed to the empowerment of young people in Ondo State, we are prepared to support and campaign for our peers who step forward to represent their communities.
The Youth Network asserts that Ondo State youths are not too small to lead as Local Government Chairpersons or, at the very least, to serve as Ward Councilors. It is time to challenge the status quo and empower the next generation of leaders to drive innovation and sustainable development at the grassroots.
In this regard, we congratulate His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his historic victory in the November 16th gubernatorial election, which returned him to office.
This victory is a testament to the resilience and active participation of the youth in Ondo State bolstered by the efforts of civil society organizations and key government officials, such as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, who played a pivotal role in managing youth and student engagement during this period. As stated by the OSYN PRO, Christopher Olusa: “We, the youth, in our numbers, supported, voted, and participated in this victory. It is only fair that we are compensated with opportunities to lead. We are not merely asking; we are demanding youth inclusion in governance, starting with Local Government Councils.”
Ahead of the January elections, we encourage members of the Ondo State Youth Network to declare their interest in these critical leadership positions. We remain steadfast in our advocacy for a youthful commissioner to represent the aspirations and needs of young people in the state. Our call for the establishment of a Youth Commission, led by a young person, is not just a request but a necessity to ensure the active participation of youths in decision-making processes.
The OSYN remains the foremost youth organization in Ondo State, dedicated to championing the rights, opportunities, and advancement of young people. We stand for accountability, transparency, and youth-driven leadership in governance at all levels.
We also appeal to Governor Aiyedatiwa to honor his commitment to youth inclusion by ensuring that political appointments and electoral nominations reflect the vibrancy and capacity of the youth.
We have demonstrated our ability to mobilize, organize, and contribute significantly to the socio-political growth of Ondo State, and we deserve a seat at the table.
As Ondo State prepares for the Local Government Elections, we urge all young people to step forward, take charge, and redefine leadership in our communities. OSYN is ready to support and amplify the voices of youth candidates who embody the values of integrity, service, and progress.
Signed,
Christopher Olusa
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN)
