The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Oyo Central Senatorial District candidate, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has underscored the importance of good governance in a nation.
He has urged students of the University of Ibadan to take active part in politics, saying their participation is essential to changing the narrative of governance in the country.
Ajadi made the call on Tuesday, at the two-day Honourable Odidiomo Students’ Legislative Summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Organised by the University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council, it was themed “The Service Paradigm: Transforming Mindsets for Service-Driven Leadership in Nigeria”, and brought together students and invited stakeholders for discussions on leadership, legislative responsibilities, public service and the role of young Nigerians in nation-building.
Speaking to the students, Ajadi stressed that young Nigerians should not distance themselves from politics if they desire to see positive changes in the country, noting that political participation provides an avenue through which citizens can influence government and contribute to the delivery of democratic dividends.
According to him, “Students should participate actively in politics because politics is the avenue through which we engage government and influence the direction of our society. If we want to change the bad narrative, we must be ready to participate and contribute our own quota to the development of Nigeria.”
Ajadi further said participation in political parties should not merely be viewed as a means of seeking political offices, but as an opportunity for young people to understand governance, contribute ideas and prepare themselves for responsibilities that could ultimately benefit society.
He added, “Good governance is one of the results of responsible political participation. When people with good intentions participate in politics, they have the opportunity to contribute ideas, influence policies and work towards delivering meaningful democratic dividends to the people.”
The APM candidate encouraged the students to see themselves as important stakeholders in Nigeria’s political future, stressing that the country would require a new generation of citizens who are willing to participate in democratic processes rather than remain spectators.
Ajadi’s intervention complemented the central message of the summit, which sought to expose students to the responsibilities associated with leadership and public service.
Also speaking at the summit, Hon. Dhikrullah Olajide Stanley Adedeji Odidiomo urged the students to pay greater attention to emerging technologies, stressing the importance of acquiring relevant technological knowledge and skills in preparing for the future.
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Odidiomo encouraged the students to develop skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and cloud computing, describing technological knowledge as increasingly important to education, employment, governance and national development.
He noted that the rapid development of technology was creating new opportunities and changing the way individuals, institutions and societies operate, urging the students to position themselves to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.
The emphasis on technology formed part of the wider discussions at the summit, which provided a platform for conversations on leadership, legislative practice, public service and the preparation of young Nigerians for their roles in national development.
The summit therefore provided students with an opportunity to engage with invited stakeholders on issues relating to political participation, responsible leadership and emerging technologies, with Ajadi using his appearance to urge the students to move from being observers of politics to active participants in the democratic process.
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