Oyebanji Urges Ekiti Youth Parliamentarians to Champion Responsible Leadership as Parliament Passes Two Bills

 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has urged members of the 5th Assembly of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament to uphold integrity, discipline, tolerance and patriotism in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Oyebanji gave the charge during the parliamentarians' First Business Sitting at the Chambers of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Ado-Ekiti.

He said the new parliamentary session, which coincided with the parliament's first 100 days in office, offered an opportunity to prepare young people for meaningful participation in governance and state development.

The governor who  was represented by the Commissioner  for Youth Development,Mr Gold Adedayo stated that his administration believed young people should be equipped and given the opportunity to contribute to governance and community development.

He urged the parliamentarians to apply the knowledge gained during their training in leadership, parliamentary practice, communication, responsibility and public service, and to demonstrate it through their conduct, decisions and interactions.

"As members of the Youth Parliament, you now carry a responsibility that goes beyond the walls of this chamber," he said. "You are representatives of the aspirations, concerns and potential of young people across Ekiti State. Therefore, I charge you to conduct yourselves with dignity, discipline, humility and a strong sense of responsibility."

Oyebanji urged them to be worthy ambassadors of Ekiti by demonstrating integrity, respect, hard work, tolerance, patriotism and commitment to service, noting that leadership was not merely about occupying a position but about the impact made while holding it.

He said membership of the Youth Parliament should enable the young leaders to inspire others, promote constructive dialogue, and contribute to their communities and the state. He encouraged them to use the platform to understand issues affecting young people and to seek solutions through respectful engagement.

"Disagree without becoming disagreeable, listen before speaking, and place collective interests above personal considerations," he told them.

The governor said the future of Ekiti was being shaped by the actions of young people, adding that the parliamentarians' leadership could influence the kind of society the state would build.

"As you commence your legislative business, I wish you wisdom, courage, discipline and a deep sense of duty. May this Assembly become a platform through which you discover your leadership capacity and prepare yourselves for greater responsibilities in future," he said.

Oyebanji wished the 5th Assembly a successful and impactful tenure, urging the young leaders to "learn, serve and lead by example."

Earlier, the Speaker of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Babatunde Tijesu urged his colleagues to take their responsibilities seriously and to maintain close contact with their constituents.

The Speaker commended Oyebanji for supporting the Youth Parliament and for creating an enabling environment for youth participation in governance. He said the Parliament provided a platform to understand legislative processes, debate issues constructively, develop leadership capacity and contribute to state development.

He expressed the Parliament's support for the governor's youth-focused initiatives and urged his colleagues to reciprocate by remaining committed to their responsibilities and to the interests of young people.

During the plenary, the Parliament passed two bills — the Ekiti Digital Consent and Gender Protection Policy Bill, 2026, and the Ekiti State Professional Students Academic Integrity and Public Safety (Drug-Free Campus) Bill, 2026 — while a third, the Ekiti State Youth Internship and Graduate Transition Programme Bill, 2026, was referred to committee for further consideration.

The Youth Parliament later presented Awards of Excellence to the Commissioner for Youth Development,Mr Gold Adedayo and former SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters,Hon Ibrahim Olanrewaju

The sitting formed part of activities marking the first 100 days in office of the 5th Assembly.