Youths of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside various support groups and members of the disability community, have commended Asiwaju (Dr.) Seun Fakorede, Director of Youth Mobilization and Strategy for the senatorial campaign of Rt. Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullah Olajide-Odidiomo, for his remarkable support toward the successful staging of the highly anticipated FOLA Homecoming Concert in Ibadan.
Fakorede’s gesture, which saw him purchase more than 200 tickets for youths eager to attend the high-energy concert, was described by supporters as a demonstration of youth-friendly leadership and a practical commitment to creating opportunities for young people to participate in social and entertainment activities.
The gesture came on the heels of the purchase of 500 tickets by Rt. Hon. Adedeji Olajide-Odidiomo, the APM senatorial candidate, further expanding access for youths and music lovers who converged on the venue for the star-studded event.
The initiative generated widespread appreciation among APM youths and affiliated support groups, who said the gesture demonstrated the leadership qualities and organizational capacity of Fakorede in mobilizing young people around the senatorial project.
Among those who publicly expressed their appreciation were Hon. Kunle Akindele, who led a large contingent of Friends of Odidiomo and Bodija Youth Forum; Mrs. Olufunmi Olajumoke Olatunde (MamaTee), who led women under the umbrella of Women in Power & Politics; Mr. Abiodun Olaoye (Ajasco), who led members of Apete Youth Forum and Dugbe–Queen Cinema Youth; Mr. Kunle Johnson (Shisha), who led Joyce B Youth Forum; and Mr. Jare (Jarule), who mobilized members of Ibarapa Youth for Odidiomo.
The various leaders, speaking in one voice, praised Fakorede for what they described as his youth-centered leadership, accessibility and commitment to mobilizing young people for the Odidiomo senatorial project.
Other groups and individuals who joined in the appreciation included the BlackNile Team, Mr. Bolu Olaleye (Maracana) and his group, Mr. Zico of Agbowo Youth Forum, and Mr. Akindele of Acer Engineering, among several others.
The FOLA Homecoming Concert itself lived up to its billing, attracting thousands of music lovers to Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, for an electrifying night of Afrobeats, entertainment and hometown celebration.
Popular Afrobeats artiste Folarin Odunlami, popularly known as FOLA, delivered a memorable performance on home soil, thrilling the massive crowd with his popular songs.
He was joined on stage by an impressive lineup of artistes, including Bella Shmurda, TML Vibes, Magix, Ayo Maff, Gbohunmi, Danielino, Temkeyz, Itsenj, Boi Eazi and Nati, among others.
The performances transformed Agodi Gardens into a sea of music lovers, with fans singing along, dancing and celebrating throughout the high-energy show.
For many of the youths who attended, the concert was more than just an entertainment event.
It also became an opportunity to celebrate youth participation, community, friendship and the growing political engagement of young people across Ibadan and beyond.
Speaking on the significance of the gathering, supporters said the massive youth turnout was an indication of the strength of grassroots networks supporting the Odidiomo senatorial project.
The youths subsequently pledged to mobilize massively for APM and the Odidiomo senatorial campaign, promising to take the campaign to their respective communities and polling units.
They expressed confidence that the growing network of youth groups and support organizations would translate their enthusiasm and mobilization into votes for Rt. Hon. Adedeji Olajide-Odidiomo and the APM at the polls.
The night ended not only as a celebration of FOLA’s homecoming, but also as a demonstration of the growing influence of youth networks, entertainment and grassroots political mobilization in Ibadan’s political landscape.
