As part of her civic engagement initiative, Janet Olaolu spearheaded the Empower Youth Summit on October 6, 2024. The summit convened young people from diverse backgrounds with the goal of equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and resources to tackle critical civic issues within their communities. With a focus on peacebuilding, security, and civic responsibility, the summit provided a platform for youth to actively participate in shaping the future of their communities.
The event attracted 96 participants—64 male and 32 female—who engaged in meaningful dialogue and collaborative efforts. The success of the summit was made possible through strategic partnerships, including the generous sponsorship of the Olanrewaju Omo-George Foundation (OOGF), alongside contributions from friends, families, and a substantial monetary donation from the Governor of Ogun State.
Core Objective
The summit is dedicated to fostering active youth participation in governance, community development, and social change.
Key Outcomes
The Empower Youth Summit provided participants with practical insights into civic engagement through keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions. The summit empowered young people to take ownership of their civic responsibilities, collaborate with community stakeholders, and contribute to peace and security initiatives.
Under the theme “Pathway to Peace: Youth Engagement in Community Security,” the summit highlighted the crucial role of youth in fostering safe and peaceful communities. Through meaningful dialogue with security officials and community leaders, participants gained knowledge and developed strategies to address local security challenges.
The programme, which started at 10 a.m. with a welcome note by convener Janet Olaolu, stressed the need to bridge communication gaps between youths and security officials in Sagamu. She emphasized the importance of collaboration to prevent the exploitation of youth as political thugs and to promote peacebuilding.
Keynote speeches from Former Commissioner of Police CP Edward Ajogun and PCRC National Chairman Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim set the stage for a highly engaging panel session, which ran for twice its scheduled time due to active and insightful participation on community security issues.
Guest Speakers and Participants
Key figures in security and civic engagement participated in the summit, including:
- Commissioner for Sport, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, representing the Governor of Ogun State (Keynote Speaker)
- Commissioner for Environment, Honourable Ola Oresanya (Panellist)
- Former Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun (Keynote Speaker)
- PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim (Keynote Speaker)
- PCRC Ogun State Chairman, Chief Kunle Popoola (Keynote Speaker)
- Ogun NDLEA Commander Representative, Mrs. Bamisaye Funmilayo (Panellist)
- Ogun NSCDC Commander Representative, Mr. Adesanya Lawrence (Panellist)
- CDC Zonal Chairman and Executives from Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ikenne, Remo North, and Odogbolu
Expected Outcomes
The Empower Youth Summit was designed to achieve several key outcomes that contribute to community security and youth empowerment. A primary goal was to enhance young people’s awareness and understanding of security issues affecting their communities. By equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge, the summit empowers youth to actively engage in security initiatives and become agents of change.
The summit also fostered the development of innovative security solutions through collaborative efforts between young people, security officials, and community leaders. By encouraging dialogue and cooperation, the summit strengthens relationships and improves communication among these groups, creating a more cohesive approach to addressing security challenges.
Ultimately, the summit sought to promote a lasting culture of peace and security within communities, driven by the active participation and leadership of empowered youth.
Leave a Reply