By Our Correspondent
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has unveiled plans to harness the enormous potential of youths in the creative and sports industries as part of efforts to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship and accelerate economic development across the state.
Oyebamiji disclosed this while addressing youths and other stakeholders at an interactive session in Osogbo, where he outlined his vision for a more inclusive and youth-driven Osun State.
The engagement, which brought together students, young professionals, artisans, members of civil society organisations and representatives of various youth groups, provided an opportunity for participants to express their concerns and make recommendations on issues affecting their future.
The APC candidate said his administration, if elected, would ensure that young people are not treated merely as beneficiaries of government programmes but are given a meaningful role in shaping policies and driving development.
According to him, the creative economy remains one of the sectors with the greatest potential to transform the lives of young people, particularly in an era where digital technology has created new opportunities for talent, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that Osun is blessed with talented young people in areas such as music, film, fashion, entertainment, digital content creation, arts and other creative fields, noting that these talents must be supported with the right policies, infrastructure and investment.
Oyebamiji also identified sports as another major area that could provide sustainable opportunities for youths while projecting Osun State on the national and international stage.
He promised to explore ways of developing sporting talents from the grassroots, improve opportunities for young athletes and create an environment where sports can serve not only as recreation but also as a viable career and economic pathway.
The APC candidate said his administration would pursue initiatives capable of connecting young people with training, mentorship, funding and market opportunities, thereby helping them turn their skills and ideas into sustainable sources of income.
He further emphasised the importance of involving youths in governance, saying their energy, creativity and understanding of contemporary challenges would be essential to building a prosperous state.
Oyebamiji said his campaign engagements across the state had enabled him to gain first-hand knowledge of the aspirations and challenges of residents.
He noted that his visits to all 30 local government areas had exposed him to the diverse needs of communities and strengthened his determination to implement policies that would have a direct impact on the people.
The APC candidate said his administration would prioritise policies that promote economic opportunities, human capital development and inclusive governance, particularly for young people who constitute a significant part of the state’s population.
He urged youths across Osun to remain actively involved in the electoral process and to see themselves as partners in the state’s development rather than spectators.
The interactive session was organised by the APC campaign council’s Directorate of Youths and Students as part of efforts to deepen engagement with young people and incorporate their views into the party’s campaign agenda.
Participants at the event also used the opportunity to raise concerns bordering on employment, skills acquisition, education, entrepreneurship, sports development and greater youth representation in government.
Oyebamiji expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the forthcoming governorship election, saying the party’s message of development and prosperity was gaining acceptance among residents.
He said the PROSPERITY Agenda would provide a framework for building an Osun State where young people can develop their talents, secure meaningful employment and contribute substantially to economic growth.
With the election approaching, the APC candidate’s emphasis on the creative and sports sectors is expected to form a significant part of his campaign message to the state’s youthful population.
For many young people seeking alternatives to conventional employment, the promise to expand opportunities in entertainment, sports, digital enterprise and other emerging sectors could become an important issue in the electoral debate.
Oyebamiji therefore called on youths to embrace the vision of a prosperous Osun and work with his administration towards building a state where talent, innovation and hard work can translate into meaningful opportunities.
