Talabi Bags Distinguished Statesman of the Year Award, Charges Ogun Youths on Peace Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, has received the Distinguished Statesman of the Year 2025 Award from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogun State Chapter, while charging youths in the state to embrace peace, responsibility and dialogue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Talabi received the award on Thursday at the 2026 International Youth Day celebration organised by the NYCN Ogun State Chapter and held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Speaking as the Chief Host of the event, Talabi commended the leadership of the NYCN Ogun State Chapter for demonstrating maturity and responsible leadership, expressing confidence that Ogun youths would shun political bigotry and violence as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
He stressed the importance of involving young people in efforts to maintain peace and order, noting that youths are often targeted and made vulnerable during election periods.
According to him, the state government is committed to building the capacity of young people and providing them with positive examples and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society.
“As they say, build the youth, build the nation. All that we are trying to do is to build the youths. To make sure that we give them, we show them good examples that they can follow.
“We don’t want any political bigotry coming from the youth. And that is why we are making sure that we are incorporating them with the responsibility of maintaining law and order during the election,” Talabi said.
The SSG further emphasised the importance of dialogue in resolving disagreements, noting that the state government had achieved more through constructive engagement than confrontation.
He said, “This administration has achieved more with dialogue than disruption. And that’s what we are preaching to everybody. That with dialogue, we get more done. Because even when you disrupt, you still have to come to the table to negotiate for peace to come. So why don’t you start with the negotiation and the discussion?”
Talabi also reflected on the journey of youth development in Ogun State since 2019, when the administration embraced the “ISEYA” mantra of Governor Dapo Abiodun, CON, describing youths as important pillars of the state’s development and future.
He urged young people to uphold the Omoluwabi values of integrity, discipline, respect, responsibility, humility and service to humanity, stressing that leadership must be anchored on character and commitment to the common good.
The SSG assured the youths that the state government remained open to ideas and initiatives capable of improving their welfare, development and capacity, urging them to bring forward proposals that would contribute to the progress of Ogun State.
Also speaking, the State Head of Service, Olanrewaju Saka, noted that despite differences in backgrounds and circumstances, young people share common aspirations for a better future. He urged the newly inaugurated NYCN ward executives to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, inclusiveness and commitment to service.
Earlier, the NYCN Ogun State Chairman, Oloye Akolawole Shoremi, commended the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for approving the state’s first Youth Policy Document and supporting the inauguration of 2,360 ward executives of the Council, which he described as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Shoremi charged Ogun youths to resist attempts by politicians to use them as instruments of violence ahead of the 2027 elections. He urged them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), participate actively in voter education and contribute positively to the electoral process.
The pioneer state chairman of NYCN, Pa Simeon Ogundipe, meanwhile, called on the state government to intensify efforts towards job creation and youth empowerment, urging Ogun to emulate developed societies in creating opportunities for young people.
The International Youth Day celebration brought together government officials, youth leaders, stakeholders and newly inaugurated ward executives, with speakers emphasising the need for responsible youth leadership, peaceful political participation and sustainable development.
The Distinguished Statesman of the Year 2025 Award presented to Talabi was described as recognition of his contributions to youth development and public service in Ogun State.
