Oriire Youth Proposes Second Stakeholders’ Summit, Meets Ex-House Leader Hon. Adesina

The Oriire Youth Council (OYC) on Sunday paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Gabriel Adesina at his residence in Oke-Aduin, Ogbomoso, as part of its ongoing stakeholder consultations ahead of the 2nd Edition of the #OriireFirst Stakeholders’ Summit.

Hon. Adesina, who served as Leader of the House of Oriire Local Government Councillors in 2007 under the administration of Hon. Ezekiel Ajani Oyedepo and during the tenure of late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, warmly received the OYC delegation. He is currently working with Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, Member representing Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Adesina recalled his tenure as Leader of the House, highlighting his grassroots initiatives such as organizing the first local government–wide football competition in Oriire, which earned him the popular alias “ O yato Councillor ” in Tewure community.
“I bought footballs, jerseys, and kits for the winning teams at the time, because I believed sports could unite our people,”
he said. On the political history of Oriire, he lamented missed opportunities, noting that political differences between late Governors Alao-Akala and Abiola Ajimobi denied Oriire a federal representation in 2019.

“Rt. Hon. Gunju Ojo lost that chance because of intra-party divisions, even though Oriire was close to producing a representative,”
he explained.

Hon. Adesina commended Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala for prioritizing Oriire despite its wide landmass and over 800 towns and villages, promising to facilitate a meeting between OYC and the federal lawmaker. He further advised the Council to engage Oba Ghandi, who is championing a 25-year Development Agenda that aligns with OYC’s 10-year youth agenda (Vision 2034). Encouraging the youth leaders to remain resilient despite criticisms, he declared:
“Oriire will be great again. Your PVC sensitization drive has reduced the burden on politicians by fighting voter apathy. This effort will benefit every political party, especially the one with the best manifesto, in 2027 and beyond.”

In their response, OYC National Chairman, Sarafadeen Owonikoko, expressed gratitude for Hon. Adesina’s warm reception and words of encouragement. He noted that OYC remains committed to non-partisan sensitization and advocacy, saying:

“Our PVC Drive was not about politics but about empowering our people to participate in governance. The turnout at Ikoyi-Ile central mosque and across Oriire confirmed that the youths are ready to take

ownership of their future.”

Ojo Joshua, Ex-Officio I of OYC and member representing Oriire youths at the Oyo State Youth Parliament, emphasized the importance of aligning Oriire’s development with broader state and national policies.
“Our upcoming Stakeholders’ Summit will provide a platform to harmonize the voices of traditional rulers, political leaders, and community stakeholders so that Oriire’s peculiarities are not overlooked,”
he said.

Deputy National Chairman I, Temitayo Ogundare, and Ward 9 representative, Aremu Gideon, also stressed the importance of unity among Oriire youths in pushing for equitable representation. The meeting also had the participation of OYC’s National PRO, Ajadi Isaac, who joined virtually.

The Council announced that preparations are underway for the 2nd Edition of they #OriireFirst Stakeholders’ Summit, scheduled for November/December 2025. Feedback is being awaited from key political stakeholders, including Hon. Ebenezer Ogunwuyi (Chief of Staff to the Governor), Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (House of Reps), Hon. Open Salawu (DG, Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency), and both APC and PDP state secretariats. Courtesy visit letters have also been submitted to Hon. Wasilat Adegoke (Commissioner for Youth and Sports), Hon. Dotun Oyelade (Commissioner for Information), and Rt. Hon. Edward Adebo Ogundoyin (Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly).

Most importantly, OYC disclosed that an appeal letter is being finalized to Governor Seyi Makinde, seeking a formal audience to present the peculiar challenges of Oriire and the efforts of the youths to address them.

“We are determined to push Oriire forward in our own way, complementing the government’s efforts and ensuring no part of our local government is left behind,”
Owonikoko concluded.