Oyebanji urges Ekiti youths to maximise opportunities, shun shortcuts

In Delta State, over 300 students, young graduates, entrepreneurs and career professionals gathered for the second edition of the B.I.G. Conference, Begin, Innovate, Grow, where co-conveners Jane Agadia and Tubo Layefa reaffirmed their dedication to empowering the youth. The conference, themed around equipping young people with practical knowledge, exposure, skills and opportunities, drew praise from attendees who described it as an educative and memorable experience. Agadia also announced the upcoming release of her book, The Opportunity Room, which will capture lessons, frameworks, templates and insights from her journey of personal growth, career development, business creation and opportunity generation. The B.I.G. Conference 2026 took place in Delta State, marking a continuation of the initiative launched to address the developmental needs of the youth. Attendees such as Enifome and Trust O shared positive feedback, noting how the conference inspired them to take actionable steps toward their goals. Enifome commended the speakers, media team, ushers and overall coordination, while Trust O expressed renewed motivation after being challenged to move away from waiting for perfection before sharing her work. Several participants suggested expanding the initiative beyond Delta State, proposing annual events in different regions to reach more young people. The conference was supported by a range of partners, sponsors, volunteers and community members, including Skysenx Hub, Rume Visuals, Josef Shots, Prosperous Media, Weefa, Bito Naturals, 19 Internationals, and others who contributed to its success. A notable feature of the event was the B.I.G. Business Pitch Challenge, which commenced several weeks prior. The challenge included multiple stages of application, screening and vetting, culminating in six finalists pitching their businesses live at the conference. Two winners received N150,000 each in grants to support the growth of their ventures. Meanwhile, in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji addressed youths during the International Youth Day Summit, urging them to seize available opportunities and avoid shortcuts. Speaking through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji emphasized the importance of acquiring relevant skills, building sustainable enterprises and becoming employers of labor to contribute to the state's development. His remarks came during the summit organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day. Oyebanji highlighted his administration's strategic focus on youth development, citing the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for Youth Affairs as evidence of the government's commitment. He outlined various interventions aimed at supporting youth, including direct financial assistance for youth and student organizations, skills training, enterprise support, access to innovation and technology platforms, and regular youth engagement. He warned against pursuing quick wealth through unethical means, stressing that sustainable success requires discipline, hard work, patience and a willingness to invest in personal development. The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, echoed these sentiments, encouraging youths to take ownership of their future and actively participate in shaping the state's progress. Aribasoye noted that the government was fulfilling its duty to create an environment conducive to youth innovation and wealth creation, urging them to prioritize areas such as digital skills, entrepreneurship, agriculture, renewable energy and emerging technologies. Segun Bankole, Chairman of the NYCN, Ekiti State chapter, praised Oyebanji for his administration’s consistent efforts to foster youth development and empowerment. He stated that the various programs initiated by the state government were intentional measures to cultivate self-reliance and productivity among young people. Bankole explained that the Youth Week and International Youth Day Summit served as platforms for diverse groups of youth to exchange ideas, build networks and explore practical contributions to the state's advancement.