By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Osun State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, has promised to place youths at the centre of decision-making if elected governor, with emphasis on political inclusion, creative economy, sports development and skills acquisition.
Oyebamiji made the promise at an interactive session with youths on Saturday, 8 August, 2026, at Adolak Event Centre, Osogbo, organised by the Directorate of Youths, Students and Civil Society of the Osun APC Campaign Council, where students, professionals, artisans and civil society groups engaged him on his plans for the state.
He expressed confidence in his chances at the August 15 election, explaining that his campaign engagements across the 30 local government areas, spanning the pre-primary period, canvasser inauguration and direct campaign interface, had given him first-hand knowledge of residents’ aspirations.
Identifying sports as critical to economic growth and youth opportunity, Oyebamiji disclosed he was exploring the establishment of a strong sports club in the Southwest through collaboration among regional governors to promote sporting excellence.
Earlier, the Directorate’s Chairman, Hon. Ayodele David Asalu, described the gathering as an open conversation rather than a mere political meeting, insisting young people must be active participants in governance, not just instruments for election mobilisation, and identified education, employment, skills development, entrepreneurship and technology as issues requiring urgent attention.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Kehinde Ayantunji, alleged that the current administration had allowed sports infrastructure to decline, negatively affecting grassroots development, and raised concerns over the growing influence of thuggery among youths, urging government to provide productive alternatives through sports and skills acquisition.
Lead Discussant, Dr Lekan Olatunji, said the PROSPERITY Agenda was built with youth inclusion as a major pillar, noting that with about 67 per cent of Osun’s population below 40, young people would participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of government programmes under an AMBO administration. He highlighted plans to activate the state’s free trade zone through public-private partnership to support production, fashion and talent-discovery festivals.
Chairman of the Osun Football Association, Sola Fanawopo, called for the establishment of basic sports facilities across the state’s nine federal constituencies to encourage grassroots talent discovery.
Deputy Governorship Candidate, Engr. Benjamin Adereti, promised increased digital penetration and continuous workforce training, while the Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Olamilekan Badmus, urged youths to vote massively for Oyebamiji on August 15.
The session featured a panel discussion and question-and-answer segment on education, employment, entrepreneurship, governance and youth inclusion, with organisers describing it as part of efforts to create platforms for young people to engage meaningfully on Osun’s future direction.
