*Oladele, Jakande, Dauda, Enang, others storm Lagos with message of hope
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
In an atmosphere of hope and certainty, top Nigerian politicians, who have affiliated with aims and aspirations of a foremost advocacy group for the realisation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency come 2023 – SWAGA’23 – stormed Lagos, South West Nigeria, on Thursday July 28, 2022, to commence its youth advocacy program.
Tbe DEFENDER recalls that SWAGA’23 is an acronym for ‘South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023’.
The program became necessary having achieved the first goal of the former Lagos State Governor securing the presidential ticket of his party, the Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Those present included the Secretary General of SWAGA’23 and former Member House of Representatives, Hon. Bosun Oladele, former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Matters (Senate) and Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, an Ondo State politician, Mr. Gani Dauda, former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, among others.
The hall was filled to the brim during the Thursday’s all-important event, held at Ilupeju Industrial Estate being the venue, as SWAGA’23 began its Youth advocacy program with a summit.
The event had a panel of youthful discussants like Niyi Gbodimowo, Damilola Marshal, Ahmed Agbabiaka, Yemi Orija, Tope Adebayo, Dr. Seriki Muritala, Damilola Emmanuel, Lanre Okunlola and Seyi Olaoye who discussed the topic: “Youth Involvement In Nigeria Politics and Policies Through Capacity Building and Engagement”.
In his welcome address, the Lagos State SWAGA’23 chairman, Hon Monsuru Owolabi Alao urged the youth to take decision and be the change henceforth for a better Nigeria.
The former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Lagos State University, Professor Olumuyiwa Noah, challenged the youth to get involved in order to make impact in Nigeria’s politics and policies, while his counterpart; Professor Yemi Oke of Faculty of Law, University of Lagos urged the youth to use the social media responsibly for political marketing, development and gains.
He admonished them to fact-check and ask questions before posting and commenting on social media as well as refrain from cyber bullying or abuses against opposing candidates in a bid to market their own candidate.
In her speech on parental roles in encouraging youth to participate in politics, Mrs. Nkem Sofela asked parents to mentor their children to be of good character in all that they do.
On his part, Senator Ita Enang, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, admonished youth to be patient while learning the ropes in politics. Citing his personal example of traversing every legislative curves from being a Councilor to a Senator in his career.
According to him, “Many young people are not ready to learn the curves and most are eager only to climb trees from the leaves which will often lead to frustrating results. Therefore, do not be afraid to start at the lowest level, with consistency, perseverance and loyalty, you will get to the top. Finally, ensure you have role models like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The Director General of the Youth Directorate of Lagos Chapter of SWAGA’23, Hon Deji Jakande called on everyone of voting age to obtain their permanent voters’ card and be ready to vote Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President in 2023.
The highlight of the occasion was the discussion by the panelists and the resolution that “For 2023 elections, based on his antecedents and his record of service to Lagos State when he was Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not only are we ready to support him and mobilize votes in his favor, we equally call on him to ensure youth inclusiveness in his agenda as our next President as he did when he was Governor”.
The event had in attendance the leaders of SWAGA’23 such as Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Oye Ojo, Hon Bosun Oladele the National Secretary, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Hon. Oloruntoba Oke, Hons. Gani Dauda, Eni Omosule, Gani Omaluka, Bakare, Ladi Owolabi. Akinniran Isaac.
Others were Hon. Albert Akintoye, Hon. Akeem Muniru, Alhaji Ibrahim Raji, Primate Charles Odugbesi, Hon. Ahmed Muhammed former Kogi State Deputy Speaker, Hon Razak Olusola Ajakaye the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo LCD, Hon. Mrs Tokunbo Fayokun, Hon Princess Bisi Adegoke, Hon Fatai Labaka, Hon. Kayode Opeifa, Hon. Bolanle Akinyemi Obe, Hajiya Fatimah Bello,Hons. Adewale Jafojo, Afeez Kasumu and a host of other notable politicians.
The Youth Advocacy program is aimed at creating awareness and getting youth involved in politics and will continue from state to state across the country according to the secretariat of the group.
