Abeokuta – Rinsola Abiola, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Citizenship and Leadership, has called on Nigerian youths to take active roles in leadership and civic engagement. She made this charge while delivering the opening speech at a Ramadan lecture and Iftar event organized by the Rinsola Abiola Foundation.
The lecture, themed “Islamic Perspective on Youth Development and Leadership,” was held on Sunday at Spices Hall, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. The event brought together prominent political figures, religious leaders, and youth stakeholders to discuss the role of young people in shaping the nation’s future.
In her remarks, Abiola emphasized the importance of youth participation in governance and urged them to uphold values of integrity, service, and responsibility.
“It is essential for young people to understand that leadership is about service and making a positive difference. Civic engagement is a powerful tool for shaping the future, and I encourage every young Nigerian to play their part,” she said.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, delivered a goodwill message, commending the initiative and highlighting the crucial role of women and youth in governance. Another goodwill message came from Comrade Surajudeen Aremu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader in Ogun State, who emphasized the need for youth involvement in political processes.
The special guest of the event, Alhaja Faidat Sarumi Akintunde, Chairman of APC Abeokuta North Local Government, lauded the foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment and Islamic values. The guest speaker, Imam Mudashiru Abdulrasheed, was represented by Professor Kamaldeen Balogun.
In his lecture, he underscored the significance of youth development from an Islamic perspective, advocating for moral uprightness and active community participation.
The event also had in attendance Mahmud Salako, the son of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, who praised the foundation’s efforts in fostering leadership and civic awareness among young people.
The Ramadan lecture and Iftar concluded with prayers for national unity and the well-being of the country, as well as a renewed commitment to fostering youth development through faith-based and civic initiatives.
