ABEOKUTA– The Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Technology Innovation, Hon. Dennis Ogunnaike, has issued a strong call for ethical and responsible political engagement among the youth of Ogun State, cautioning them against being used as tools for violence and misinformation.
Ogunnaike gave this charge on Friday while delivering a keynote address at the 3rd Legislative Convergence of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Ogun State Chapter, held in Abeokuta.
Speaking on the theme, “Building a Responsible Generation: How Parental Guidance Shapes Youth Involvement in Politics,” the Governor’s aide emphasized that the conduct of individuals, not politics itself, is responsible for its often-negative perception.
“Politics, in itself, is not inherently dirty; rather, it is the conduct of those who engage in it that taints its image,” Ogunnaike stated. He urged young people to shun being used as political thugs and to exercise restraint in their use of social media, warning against its use for smear campaigns and the spread of falsehoods.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, Ogunnaike stated that the call has become imperative. He reminded the youth of their power as the nation’s majority voting bloc and encouraged massive mobilization for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“If you have pigs in politics, of course, you can’t expect anything but dirt. That is why responsible and professional individuals must also get involved in the political process, because that is the only way to clean up the mess and achieve accelerated economic growth and development,” he asserted.
He further cautioned young politicians against losing their values in the pursuit of power. “Do not allow anyone to use you as a tool for their selfish ambitions. Remember that every action carries consequences; whatever you do today will either come back to haunt you or bless you in the future,” he advised.
Ogunnaike also directed a message to fellow politicians, urging them to uphold ethics and treat other people’s children with the same care and compassion they would desire for their own.
In his remarks, the National Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Famoyinbo Oluwasegun, corroborated that youth are the agents of change, urging them to be reasonable and responsible in all their engagements.
The Chairman of the Youth Assembly in Ogun State, Oniyitan Akinbode, commended the state government for being responsive to the demands of the youth.
The event featured the induction of new Honorable members from the state’s three senatorial districts and the investiture of Barrister Geseire Temile as the matron of the Youth Assembly in Ogun State.
