The Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, has called on young people across the Pacesetter state to remain optimistic, purposeful, and committed to personal development, urging them to see themselves not merely as beneficiaries of the future but as active architects of the future they desire.
Falana made the call in his message made available to newsmen by the Head of the Media Unit to the Chairman, Opeyemi Rasheed Socrates,, in commemorating the International Youth Day 2026, observed globally on Wednesday, August 12, stressing that the occasion provides an opportunity to celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and enormous potential of young people while encouraging them to embrace the responsibilities that come with shaping society.
According to Falana, despite the challenges confronting young people in today’s rapidly changing world, the future remains filled with possibilities for those who are willing to learn, adapt, innovate, and remain determined.
He noted that young people in Oyo State possess the talent, creativity, and capacity required to contribute meaningfully to the economic and social development of the state, urging them to transform their potential into productive ventures and community impact.
Five Calls to Action for Oyo Youth
- Dream Big — Your Future Is Possible
Falana urged young people not to allow present difficulties to define their future, encouraging them to believe in themselves, set meaningful goals, and remain persistent in pursuing their aspirations.
He stressed that challenges may constitute part of the journey, but they should never become reasons for young people to abandon their dreams.
- Build Yourself Through Knowledge and Skills
The Chairman encouraged Oyo youth to continuously invest in education, vocational training, digital literacy, technology, entrepreneurship and other forms of personal development.
He noted that the changing nature of the global economy requires young people to be adaptable and future-ready, particularly as emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, continue to reshape the workplace and create new opportunities.
- Turn Talent Into Opportunity
Falana urged young people to recognise the economic value of their talents and develop them into sustainable opportunities.
Whether as entrepreneurs, artisans, students, farmers, entertainers, professionals, creatives, innovators or technology enthusiasts, he said every young person has something valuable to contribute.
He encouraged them to move beyond identifying their talents to acquiring the discipline, knowledge and practical skills required to transform those talents into livelihoods, enterprises and opportunities for others.
- Choose Unity, Peace and Responsibility
The Chairman called on Oyo youth to make unity, peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship the foundation of their engagement with society.
He urged young people to reject violence, hatred, intolerance and divisive tendencies, emphasising that the strength of Oyo youth lies in their ability to work together despite differences in background, beliefs and opinions.
According to him, responsible young citizens have a critical role to play in promoting peace, protecting public values and contributing positively to their communities.
- Believe in Oyo and Take Ownership of Its Future
Falana challenged young people to move beyond asking what Oyo State can do for them and begin to ask what they can contribute to the development of the state.
He maintained that building a prosperous and inclusive Oyo State requires the active participation of young people in entrepreneurship, innovation, agriculture, technology, public service, community development, and other productive sectors.
He therefore encouraged the youth to see the development of Oyo State as a shared responsibility and to position themselves as partners in progress.
“Your Voice, Ideas, Talent and Future Matter”
Falana further assured young people that their voices, ideas, talents and aspirations remain important to the development agenda of the state.
He encouraged them not to be discouraged by setbacks, stressing that success often requires patience, resilience, continuous learning and the courage to start again after failure.
“The road may not always be easy, but never give up on yourself or the future of Oyo State. Let us dream together, learn together, work together and build together,” he said.
The Chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development to supporting initiatives that equip young people with relevant skills, promote entrepreneurship, encourage innovation and create platforms through which they can participate meaningfully in the development of the state.
He called on all stakeholders—including government institutions, private organisations, development partners, community leaders and youth-focused organisations—to continue investing in the potential of young people and creating an enabling environment for them to thrive.
Falana congratulated young people across Oyo State on the occasion, urging them to embrace the opportunities before them, remain purposeful, and contribute positively to the growth and prosperity of the Pacesetter State.
Happy International Youth Day 2026 to all the great young people of Oyo State!
OYO YOUTH: OUR ENERGY. OUR HOPE. OUR FUTURE.
