The Oyo State Youth Parliament 2nd Assembly was celebrated on Tuesday at an appreciation meeting held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, Secretariat Ibadan attended by key stakeholders, government officials, and members, in recognition of its resilience, service, and impactful contributions to youth engagement in governance.
The meeting, which is the first official gathering following the approval of Governor Seyi Makinde, provided a platform to honour the Assembly’s achievements and reflect on its legacy, while also setting the tone for the transition toward the 3rd Assembly.
At the event, participants highlighted the Assembly’s role in strengthening youth participation, civic responsibility, and grassroots advocacy across the state, describing its tenure as both transformative and inspiring.
In his welcome address, the Coordinating Director of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Mr. Sangogade Olusumbo Idowu, commended the Governor for his unwavering support for youth-focused initiatives.
He also praised the Agency’s Chairman, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, for his leadership, which he said has repositioned the agency among the top-performing government institutions in the state.
Idowu expressed appreciation for the Governor’s approval of the appreciation and valedictory process, as well as the constitution of a new Assembly, noting that the 2nd Parliament maintained unity and purpose throughout its tenure while recording significant milestones.
He urged members to sustain the values of leadership, dedication, and service imbibed during their time in office, encouraging them to continue serving as ambassadors of youth development in the “Pacesetter State.”
Speaking on behalf of members, Hon. Lekan, representing Akinyele Constituency II, appreciated the opportunity given to young people to actively participate in governance.
He noted that the platform enhanced members’ interpersonal skills, leadership capacity, and understanding of political processes.
While acknowledging challenges such as electoral concerns and communication gaps, he called on the Agency to leverage lessons from the 2nd Assembly to strengthen the framework and effectiveness of the incoming 3rd Assembly.
Other members, including Miss Esther from Saki West, highlighted the personal and professional growth facilitated by their participation. She described the selection process as merit-based and credited the Assembly for helping her overcome public speaking challenges and improve her performance as a public health practitioner.
Similarly, Hon. Adebayo MC Worship commended the Agency’s leadership for instilling a sense of purpose in members.
He revealed that despite limited funding, parliamentarians undertook constituency projects using personal resources, citing conflict resolution efforts in Ogbomoso as one of the Assembly’s key interventions.
The Majority Leader of the Assembly also praised the dedication and resilience of members, noting that despite financial constraints, the 2nd Assembly distinguished itself through commitment and performance.
He emphasized its role in grassroots mobilization and civic engagement, particularly in voter registration initiatives.
In her remarks, former Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mrs. Nancy-Bassey Olayinka Muraina, acknowledged the commitment of members but noted that internal disunity affected the full realization of some objectives.
Delivering his address, the Chairman of the Agency for Youth Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, described the gathering as a moment of appreciation and reflection on the journey of the 2nd Assembly.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for his youth-friendly policies and for approving the appreciation process and the constitution of the 3rd Assembly.
Falana reiterated his commitment to strengthening youth inclusion in governance, noting that his appointment in May 2024 was driven by a vision to bridge the gap between young people and government institutions.
He assured that the forthcoming 3rd Assembly would be more structured, transparent, and inclusive, with improved selection processes, enhanced funding, and stronger institutional support.
According to him, the new Assembly will build on the legacy of the 2nd Assembly while addressing identified gaps.
He further revealed plans to align youth parliamentarians with their respective constituencies and lawmakers to facilitate the implementation of constituency-driven projects in collaboration with the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Falana also disclosed ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure for youth parliamentary activities, including plans for dedicated facilities and strengthened institutional frameworks to sustain youth legislative engagement.
As part of the process, he assured members of formal recognition through a befitting valedictory ceremony and tokens of appreciation in acknowledgment of their service and contributions.
Goodwill messages from representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Clerk of the Oyo State House of Assembly, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) further underscored the Assembly’s impact, with commendations for its proactive role in amplifying youth voices and fostering civic responsibility.
The appreciation meeting ultimately reinforced the 2nd Assembly’s legacy of resilience, service, and commitment, while laying a solid foundation for a more structured and impactful 3rd Assembly.
