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The Time for Youth Leadership in Nigeria: A Call for Change

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The Time for Youth Leadership in Nigeria: A Call for Change By George Omagbemi Sylvester

The Time for Youth Leadership in Nigeria: A Call for Change

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

For decades, the promise of youth leadership has echoed throughout Nigeria. Leaders, past and present, have assured young Nigerians that they are the “leaders of tomorrow.” However, that tomorrow remains elusive. A striking example is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. During his military regime in the late 1970s, he told students, “Children, listen to your teachers, as you are the future leaders of tomorrow.” Yet, decades later, he returned as a civilian president, while many from that youth generation remained excluded from meaningful leadership roles. This raises an essential question: When will tomorrow arrive for Nigeria’s young generation?

 

The Age-Long Marginalization of Youth in Nigerian Politics
Nigeria’s political landscape has long been dominated by the older generation, leaving little room for young leaders to emerge. Despite being a country where over 60% of the population is under 30, power remains concentrated in the hands of individuals in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s. The gerontocratic nature of the system stifles the political aspirations of young people eager to contribute fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and progressive policies.

The Time for Youth Leadership in Nigeria: A Call for Change
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

This issue is not unique to Nigeria. Across Africa, youth exclusion in governance is a persistent challenge. However, global examples prove that young people can lead effectively when given the opportunity.

Global Examples of Youth Leadership
In contrast to Nigeria’s political structure, several nations have embraced young leaders, demonstrating that competence is not age-dependent. A prime example is France’s Emmanuel Macron, who became president at just 39 years old, signaling a shift in the French political landscape. Similarly, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern assumed office as Prime Minister at 37, bringing a fresh approach to governance.

Even within Africa, there have been promising strides. In 2018, Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister at 42, making significant progress in economic reform, diplomacy, and youth inclusion. Yet, Nigeria remains a country where young politicians face systemic barriers that keep them out of power.

Challenges Hindering Youth Leadership in Nigeria
Age Restrictions and Political Barriers
Until the passing of the Not Too Young to Run bill in 2018, Nigeria’s constitution had prohibitive age limits for elective positions. While the bill lowered the minimum age for candidacy, systemic obstacles persist, including party-dominated nomination processes that favor older politicians.

Economic Disempowerment
Politics in Nigeria is heavily monetized, making it difficult for young aspirants without substantial financial backing to compete. The high costs associated with electioneering, from party nomination forms to campaign expenses, serve as major deterrents.

Godfatherism and Political Gatekeeping
The entrenched culture of political godfatherism means young aspirants must align with older, more established figures, often at the cost of their independence and potential for genuine change.

Voter Apathy and Disillusionment
Decades of electoral fraud, manipulation, and unfulfilled promises have led to widespread disillusionment among young voters, resulting in low participation rates that further marginalize them from political processes.

Lack of Political Education and Mentorship
Many young people possess the passion for leadership but lack the necessary training and mentorship to navigate the complexities of governance effectively. Without proper political education, their potential remains underutilized.

The Path Forward: How Young Nigerians Can Take Charge
Active Political Participation
Young people must move beyond political discourse and actively engage by voting, contesting for office, and holding leaders accountable. The 2023 elections witnessed a surge in youth political consciousness—a trend that must be sustained.

Strengthening Youth Movements and Advocacy Groups
Organizations such as the Not Too Young to Run movement have demonstrated the power of collective action. Young people should build and support more platforms advocating for their political inclusion.

Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
By achieving financial independence through entrepreneurship and business development, young people can reduce their reliance on political godfathers and finance their own political ambitions.

Leveraging Technology and Social Media
Digital platforms are powerful tools for political mobilization, advocacy, and engagement. Nigerian youths have successfully used social media to influence governance, as seen during the #EndSARS protests. This energy should be channeled toward sustainable political change.

Demanding Policy Reforms
Advocating for policies that promote youth inclusion in governance—such as lowering the cost of political participation and ensuring fair electoral practices—remains crucial.

Voices on Youth Leadership and Change
Many influential figures have emphasized the necessity of youth leadership:

Barack Obama: “The world is changing, but progress depends on young people who are determined to make a difference.”

Malala Yousafzai: “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.”

Nelson Mandela: “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Kwame Nkrumah: “Africa needs a new kind of citizen, a dedicated, modest, honest, informed man. A man who submerges self in service to the nation and mankind.”

A Defining Moment for Nigeria’s Youth
The notion that young people are the leaders of tomorrow must transcend rhetoric and become a reality. While significant barriers exist, Nigerian youth possess the potential, creativity, and resilience to lead their country into a new era. The examples of young leaders across the globe prove that youth leadership is not an aspiration but a necessity.

Nigeria must break away from the cycle of recycled leadership and embrace a future where young voices shape the nation’s destiny. The time for change is not in some distant future—it is now. Nigeria’s young generation must rise, organize, and demand their rightful place in the corridors of power. Only through active engagement, persistent advocacy, and fearless ambition can the promise of youth leadership finally be fulfilled.

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Mohbad: Lawyer Distances Himself from GoFundMe

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Mohbad: Lawyer Distances Himself from GoFundMe

Mohbad: Lawyer Distances Himself from GoFundMe, Says Toxicology Test Was Done Free of Charge

Lagos, Nigeria — April 16, 2025Mr. Taiwo Odumosu, a lawyer who previously represented the family of the late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has publicly dissociated himself from a GoFundMe account created in support of the investigation into the singer’s death.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to PUNCH Metro, Odumosu clarified that he had no involvement in any financial transactions related to the autopsy or toxicology analysis, stressing that the family handled all payments directly with the pathologist.

“At no point was any payment routed through me or my law office. Mr. Famuyiwa made the payment directly to the pathologist,” he stated. “I wish to state clearly that I know nothing about the GoFundMe account. I am neither in charge of nor a signatory to the account created for Mohbad’s cause.”

Odumosu also revealed a significant development—that the toxicology test on the late singer’s remains was conducted free of charge by a foreign laboratory in Europe. He urged the family to be transparent about the remaining funds in the GoFundMe account.

“At a meeting attended by both Mr. Famuyiwa and me, the pathologist disclosed that the European laboratory that conducted the toxicology test did so free of charge. Accordingly, the family should publicly disclose how the remaining funds in the GoFundMe account have been managed,” he explained.

Pathologist Praised, Defamation Decried

The lawyer expressed dismay at the spread of misinformation and what he described as targeted defamation against himself and the forensic expert who took on the case, calling it “unwarranted and damaging.”

“The pathologist showed remarkable courage by engaging with a case that many colleagues hesitated to touch, due to its sensitive and high-profile nature,” Odumosu said, defending the credibility of the forensic process.

He affirmed that the post-mortem and toxicology procedures were handled with integrity, insisting that justice would ultimately prevail—not only for Mohbad but also for those unjustly accused.

“To the best of my knowledge, the post-mortem examination was conducted with utmost professionalism. Justice will prevail, not just for Mohbad, but against all who attempt to twist the truth and defame those who stand for it,” Odumosu concluded.

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Lagos Assembly Calls For Full Implementation of Tenancy Law

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Lagos Assembly Calls For Full Implementation of Tenancy Law

 

 

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enforce the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2015 to deter landlords from the arbitrary and illegal practice of unregulated rent increase in the state. The House also resolved to call on the Commissioner for Information and Strategy to rev up sensitisation and awareness activities about the provisions of the Tenancy Law.

This resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday after a motion by Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, the member representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency 1, on the need to curb excessive rent increments by landlords, which he said have led to an increase in the number of homeless people across the state. Hon. Olumoh cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law of 2015, which prohibits unreasonable rent increases and provides legal protection for tenants against this act by landlords.

Indeed, the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2015 aims to protect tenants and landlords in the state by outlining the rights and obligations of both parties, including provisions for rent payment, notice periods for termination of tenancy, and dispute resolution. The law also sets a limit on how much rent can be paid in advance and prohibits landlords from using ‘self-help’ methods to evict tenants.

The member representing Surulere Constituency 1, Hon. Desmond Elliot, seconded the motion, complaining that because of the infrastructural development and renewal designed to make life easier for his constituents, rents have, conversely, skyrocketed. He described this as a menace to society and called for urgent action by the House as “the last hope of the common man.”

In his contribution, Hon. Aro Moshood slammed the fact that many landlords in Lagos State raise rent without considering the income of their tenants, while the law states that the landlord cannot do so without duly serving the tenant prior notification. The member representing Ikorodu Constituency 11 further condemned the eviction of occupants without going through the legal process as stipulated in the Law, saying, “Many people earning minimum wage cannot afford to get a room for themselves.”

However, Hon. Shabi Adebola (Lagos Mainland 11 Constituency) called for circumspection in enforcing the law because of the corresponding increase in the prices of building materials. He implored the government to live up to expectations by providing Low-Cost Housing to the less privileged in the state.

Similarly, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, described the issue as sensitive, stating, “Nothing should be looked at in isolation. We need to go beyond the issue of rent increment and consider the cost of building materials. There is a need for an interface between the real estate agents and investors.”

To this end, Speaker Obasa directed the Committee on Housing, chaired by Hon. Ege Olusegun (Ojo Constituency 1), to invite Hon. Olumoh and Hon. Elliot, and all concerned stakeholders and related agencies to meet and find a lasting solution to this menace.

In another development, the House passed the bill for a law to establish the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, which aims to provide for the development of young persons for leadership purposes in the state while nurturing the next generation of value-based Nigerian leaders. Subsequently, the Speaker directed the Acting Clerk, Mr. Abubakar Otun, to send a clean copy of the Bill to the governor for assent.

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My lineage is entitled to Alaketu -Epe throne- Akeem Oluwo

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My lineage is entitled to Alaketu -Epe throne- Akeem Oluwo

My lineage is entitled to Alaketu -Epe throne- Akeem Oluwo

… Dismisses allegations of land grabbing in Ketu-Epe

Following the kinship tussle going on in Ketu -Epe in Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Agbon of Ketu- Epeland, Chief Akeem Oluwo has said that he is a royal blood from the Ateshimara lineage and that was why he was designated as Alaketu -Epe Elect.

My lineage is entitled to Alaketu -Epe throne- Akeem Oluwo

Chief Oluwo stated this to set record straight delving into historical lineages of the traditional stool of Ketu-Epe land, stated that he was installed as Agbon of Ketu-Epe land in 2006 by Adegboyega Adefowora, he explained that the royal battle started after demise of Adegboyega Adefowora who reigned in the town for 18years.

He dismissed the claim of Prince Babajide Adekoya Adefowora that it is only the Adefowora family that is entitled to the Alaketu Epe throne.

Setting the record straight in his narration recently, the Agbon of Ketu – Epeland said he was chosen as the Alaketu designate by the oracle, ifa and the people of town.

” On branch and the ruling houses, Osokeji Atesimara was the founder of Ketu Epe. He had one children called Adeniran. Adeniran had two wives and birthed four children.
Three from the first wife who he married from ijasin.The children of the first wife were Efunderu, Adeona, and otuwunmi and the second wife married from ilese gave birth to one child named Lijero,a male child.

Otuwunmi was a woman who got married to two husbands. Her first husband was from Ejinrin while the second husband she married later was from Epe.

Otuwunmi gave birth to three male children for the first husband, namely; Efusu, Emusu and Ogunderu and Rufai who happened to be the fourth child for the second husband.Rufai Alias Adefowora.

Second one was a female , Ajayi. And in Otuwunmi lineage, Efusu was one that gave birth to my grand father which was dehinde, the first son from Efusu. So those saying it is only one ruling House entitled to Alaketu -Epe throne are not saying the truth.

“The untimely death of Adeyemi Adefowora who was killed in 1999, fifteen days to his coronation led to the other lineages compensating the Adefowora again with the kingship and this time around, the son of the deceased junior brother, Adegboyega Adefowora was installed again despite that Sarafa Sonubi was initially picked.
Adegboyega Adefowora reigned for eighteen years and in 2015, this same Babajide came all way from UK , rallied support, went to the media, accused his brother king of high-handedness and he called for his dethrone ment. He even solicited my support on this, but I refused his entreaties and remained a staunch supporter and loyalist of late Adegboyega Adefowora.

” After the death of Adegboyega, their family were non challant about the burial,the town did the normal rite. Ketu Epe has no Palace building,
every king had used own family house as Palace. Oba Kareem reigned in my grandfather house, he rebuilt it.

On the issue rushing to build a Palace, I am not the one building it. It was the community. It was even called a temporary Palace built with joint efforts and contributions of all. I am the sole candidate of the Osokeji Atesimara.

The declaration was made in the name and court affirmed that Adeniran had four children”
Explaining further, Oluwo said”After the event that involved all the town leading to my selection, Jide’s mother and those concerned were at the town hall for the meeting. They too covered it.
The oracle picked me.

The Osugbos assented to it. The Oluwo,Apena were on ground. Eleku, Akanlowo and Araba as well.

Two years ago , all processes and procedures had been on going and I was about to get staff of office that injunction came and the process stalled.

On Babajide’s visit to Ooni, “he was just a visitor. The visit was baseless”.

Akeem Oluwo while responding to the allegations of being a land grabber who has been bringing thugs causing mayhem in the town ,said” They are just calling themselves bad names. Babajide supporters are the one behind all these.

They did it during the reign of Late Adegboyega. They locked up my brother at Elemoro. I am just a land administrator for the family and never a land grabber. I am a peace loving person. Who do I reign over if I should be disturbing the peace of my town, security and safety of the people? They are just saying what they like on the social media” he concluded.

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