Kunle Adelabu & Jare Olukotun
The Chairmanship aspirant for the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, Comrade Olalekan Biliamin Sulaimon-Oba, has unveiled his agenda for youths in Lagos State if eventually voted to lead the body.
The NYCN State election is scheduled to hold on July 2, 2020, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Oba, who is the current Coordinator of NYCN in Ikorodu Local Government, unveiled his agenda during an interactive engagement on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform where he was a guest.
The young media consultant, while speaking on his agenda, stated that “Changing the narratives is my mission”.
“We must correct the public perception that nothing good can ever come from our generation”, he stated emphatically.
Presenting his aspiration’s manifestoes tagged, “#TheYOUAgenda”, the Publisher of the rested Southwest Reporters, listed Aligning Interests, Lagos State Talent Discovery Academy, UnitingUs, Managing Conflicts, Partnerships, Support Fund and Communication Channel as core points of his agenda that would change the youths’ narratives in the state.
“Aligning Interests – Our first assignment, if given the mandate, will be to extend the olive branch across board. We will work with all interests to design a modus-operandi to implement the Lagos State Youth Policy effectively”, he stated.
“No doubt, all youths need a helping hand to help them discover and manage their talents. This and many more are the reason we will lobby the government to establish a Talent Discovery Academy, where talents can be nurtured simultaneously with academic pursuit. This initiative will help reduce social vices in our society”, he added.
“UnitingUs – In order to bridge the gap that exists among the youths in the State, we will come up with projects that will be actualized as a team, one of which is the Goal4GirlChild Shield Football Match”.
Oba stated further that he also intends to achieve better youth council through an effective conflict management and partnership with NGOs.
“Managing Conflicts – Greater and better youth council will be achieved when we encourage the youths to embark on conflict resolution management trainings. We will initiate trainings/workshops, where youths can learn, relearn and unlearn.
“Partnerships – Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with youth-oriented projects and Voluntary Youth Organizations (VYOs) affiliated to the NYCN, Lagos State, will be partnered to host monthly programmes. This will further assist the youths in realizing their potentials.
“Support Fund – Subvention and international grant for VYOs will be given utmost attention. We discovered that one of the hindrances to hosting monthly programmes is lack of fund. Therefore, we will lobby the government to increase the monthly subvention for VYOs and we will monitor and ensure fund released is expended prudently and judiciously”, Oba assured.
He stated that if voted into office, his administration would improve channel of communication by creating an effective website and other social media platforms for interaction among youths.
“Communication Channel – We will design first of its kind website and social medium to serve as a communication channel between the NYCN Lagos State and the Lagos State youths”.
Speaking on how he intends to go about taking decisions, Oba said that he would engage in wide consultations and present every idea and suggestion for debate.
“I don’t joke with consultations and I am a fan of debating ideas before implementation. A vision truncated is not a popular vision.
“The way the NYCN works, the management meeting has right to yes or no to decisions. Rejecting a clear vision can only happen at the management meeting and this means the Leader is already rejected.
“That’s why conflict resolution management training will be on our ‘Must To do’ list”, he emphasized.
He charged youths to get involved in politics and community engagements instead of waiting to be given chance or call for opportunities.
“Young people must erase the sense of entitlement. I borrowed Asiwaju’s favourite quote that ‘Power is not served a la carte’.
“You want to serve your country, get involved.
“Youths have representation at grassroots already. We are only clamouring for more participation and roles.
“This is the reason those given sensitive roles now must perform to convince the Leaders that the youths are ripe for leadership”.
Oba also charged young people to cultivate the habit of selfless service and partake actively in politics.
“Every human must be ready to do something and not expect immediate rewards. Many young people must get the concept of selfless service”, he emphasized.
“Considering the amount of money required for politics, we must go and make money by having something doing or else one will become a liability.
“We must be ready to invest too. Printing N5000 banner for a struggle is part of it too”.
Oba, while speaking on the challenges being faced by the youths and how to curtail social vices among students and young people generally, emphasized the need to help the youths to develop through talent discovery and nurturing them to greatness.
He also stated that his administration has plans to engage private individuals and groups, especially alumni associations, to continue to assist the government in funding and assisting moral upbringing of students.
He also called for total overhauling of the educational system to deal with social vices.
“We intend to lobby the government to establish Talent Discovery Academy to engage the youths which will help reduce these social vices being experienced in our society. This academy will also have a helping hand centre where youths can get mentorship”, he emphasized.
“One thing we will do when given the mandate is that we will be solution oriented. When we identify a problem, we will as well proffer solutions. As regards schools, we will design a SaveASchool Project. We will encourage Alumni of schools to handle a school project. We may have to bring in private hands to compliment the government’s efforts. We have our process of engagements which are: Consultation, Consolidation before Confrontation (CCC).
“There’s a need for total overhauling of our educational system.
“We have a Youth Policy that addresses education. We will work with the government to implement it effectively. We will lobby if necessary. Radicalism doesn’t solve all situations”, he stated.
Oba, who stated that plans are underway to embark on visitation tour to all stakeholders in and outside Ikorodu division, stated that the level of support for his ambition has been overwhelming.
He commended the Representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Member of the State Assembly, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, the Director – General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, all the six council chairmen in the division and other stakeholders for their supports.
“The support from home has been massive. We are friends and partners in making our dear Ikorodu division greater. We have great synergy.
“Support from outside Ikorodu too has been awesome. Can’t share some calculations here.
“But God and Ikorodu division are with us in this journey. The end will justify all the efforts…”
“We (the six NYCN Coordinators and stakeholders) have plans in the pipeline to tour the all the Kingdoms in our division jointly for blessings after pronouncement in the coming weeks”.
During the COVID – 19 lockdown, Oba, as the Coordinator of NYCN Ikorodu, worked with other youth organisations to facilitate palliatives for youths and students that were in need from government, individuals and humanitarian groups.
He also,alongside other members of the group, introduced ‘MaskUp Ikorodu’ which was designed to sensitize Ikorodu citizens on the need for precaution measure over COVID-19 and support the state government’s efforts.
He has also helped students to procured JAMB forms and also organized mentorship classes.
Profile
Lekan Biliamin Sulaimon-Oba was born on October 27, 1987 in Ikorodu town to the Sulaimon-Alejo family. He had his elementary school at Umar Bun Alkattab, Kaduna State, before proceeding to Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu, where he obtained his West African Examination Council Certificate (WAEC) with distinctions.
After graduating from the Mass Communication Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, he started his own media outfit, where he consults for individuals and organizations on media and public relations matters.
Oba is currently the Coordinator of NYCN in Ikorodu Local Government.
The aspirant, who has had caused to work with students’ groups in and out of Ikorodu Division, also pledged that his administration, if elected, would find means to work with students’ bodies to bring about proactive way of resolving their bursary challenges in various council areas and at the state level.
Honours:
NYSC State Honour, 2014; Most Creative Students, 2013; Member, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Parliament; Speaker, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, 2013; 2nd runner up, Cannes Lions Creative competition; Clerk, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Judiciary and Igbogbo Legendary Awards, Igbogbo Students Union Award.
Services:
Project Director, Ikorodu Diamond Leo Club; Member/Volunteer, Ikorodu Ambassador group; Member, YALI Africa; Member, Involve Africa; Strategy Manager, AfrikaInspireher; Volunteer, iCare Foundation Foodbank; District 404A1 Nigeria, Publicity Director and DP Installation Chairperson and Special Adviser on Media to the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation.
Projects:
NYSC Save1Future Initiative – State honour Award; Save1Future Inter-School; Debate and Quiz Competition in partnership with Otunba Olukoga; Ikorodu for the culture in partnership with Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS); Participant, Ikorodu Ambassadors Community Projects; Idea Writer – NAIDS public speaking contest; Partner – Lagos State Summer Camp; Organizer- Southwest Icons Award (SWICONS) andPublisher, Southwest reporters.
Oba speaks Hausa, Yoruba and English fluently. He is married to beautiful Enitan Jessica Oba with beautiful Kids, King Jamal Adegoke and Queen Jasmine Moremi.
