The Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development and Technology Innovation, Hon. Dennis Ogunnaike, has called on youths in Ogun State to resist being used by politicians to pursue selfish interests.
He also advised them to exercise restraint in their use of social media, cautioning against using digital platforms to spread false information or engage in smear campaigns that could damage the reputation of others.
Ogunnaike made this appeal on Friday during the 3rd Legislative Convergence of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, held in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Speaking on the theme, “Building a Responsible Generation: How Parental Guidance Shapes Youth Involvement in Politics,” Hon. Ogunnaike emphasized the importance of personal responsibility, urging young people to embrace ethical participation in politics and to shun violence or being used as political thugs.
He further stated that politics, in itself, is not inherently dirty; rather, it is the conduct of those who engage in it that taints its image. He cautioned the youth against using political opportunities or power for negative or self-serving purposes.
Ogunnaike also called on politicians to take responsibility for their actions and to uphold ethics in the practice of politics. He urged them to treat other people’s children with the same care and compassion they would desire for their own.
He affirmed that the present administration in Ogun State, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, is a youth-friendly, responsible, and responsive government; one that welcomes constructive criticism and contributions from the citizenry. He therefore called for meaningful engagement and collective action to drive sustainable development across the state, rather than wasting productive hours on needless arguments or hurling abuses at those in positions of authority.
“Whatever you do in your political engagement efforts, be ethical, be considerate, be responsible, and be ready to take responsibility for your actions know that nothing goes for nothing. Everything that you do today will come back to you somehow, either back on your own head or to your children or to your generation unborn, someone, somewhere will reap the fruit of your actions somehow.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that this call has become imperative as the 2027 political season draws near. He urged the youth to recognize the enormous power they wield as the majority voting bloc in the nation’s population. Ogunnaike encouraged them to mobilize their peers en masse to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the ongoing INEC Continuous Voter Registration exercise and to be discerning in their choice of candidates in the next electoral cycle.
In his words: “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.”
“As youth, it’s time for us to take ownership of our politics, and deploy our exposure, technology expertise and innovative ideas into the process and practice of politics in the nation.”
“As young people, we are often driven to participate in politics for the right reasons; to make a difference, to serve our communities, and to drive meaningful change. But let’s be honest, politics can easily descend into a dirty game if we are not careful. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and allure of power, but it is crucial that we remain grounded and never lose our values in the process.”
“So, to all the young leaders out there, I want to remind you that you are not just fighting for your own future, but for the future of an entire generation. 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 cautioned.
He added, “Let us be responsible, ethical, and considerate. Let us refuse to be instruments of violence, injustice, or oppression. We have the power to shape the future, and the time has come for us to take that responsibility seriously and put the nation first.”
In his remarks, the National Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Rt Hon. Famoyinbo Oluwasegun, also corroborated that youth are the agents of change in any nation, urging them to be reasonable and responsible in all their engagements.
He emphasised the need to be creative and shun all forms of social vices, including using social media to create division of voices, Internet fraud, and others, while encouraging the prioritisation of academics.
The chairman of Ogun State, Oniyitan Akinbode, commended the state government for not turning a deaf ear to the demands of youth in Ogun at any point of need.
He declared that the youth will always root for a good course in Ogun to ensure constructive engagement at the time.
The highlight of the event was the induction of Honorables across the three Senatorial Districts in Ogun and the investiture of Barrister Geseire Temile as matron of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria in Ogun.
