ogun youth commissioner’s imbroglio: nycn expresses solidarity.

Com. Adebare Ariyibi; State PRO, NYCN, Ogun State Chapter.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogun State Chapter, on behalf of all youths of Ogun state, has urged Stakeholders in the State to exercise caution in the ongoing imbroglio over the statement credited to the State's Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare Sunday Kehinde.

An online news medium, The Encounter, in its publication earlier this week quoted the Commissioner to have cast aspersion on a national leader of the APC and former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba. Oluwadare assessed the credentials of the former Governor comparing him to the likes of Tinubu on issues of leadership, mentoring and succession.

The statement did not go down well with some quarters that kicked against Commissioner’s position. The situation got awry for the embattled Oluwadare as the State Government distanced itself from the statement saying he acted on his own volition. The government afterwards apologised to Osoba stating that it had reprimanded the Commissioner.

However, the umbrella body for all youth groups in the state, in a statement, released to the media at the end of an emergency meeting on Wednesday enjoined all sides to exercise great restraint in handling the matter. The statement signed by its State Chairman, Comrade Abdul-Jabar Ayelaagbe and the State Secretary, Comrade Akolawole Shoremi reads in parts:

“We have taken cognizance of the ongoing development as regards the statement credited to Dr. Oluwadare Sunday Kehinde; and while it is not in good taste, the situation should not be left to degenerate beyond the current status.

“On behalf of the Commissioner and the entire Youth of Ogun state, we hereby use this medium to tender an unreserved apology to our father and mentor, Chief Olusegun Osoba.

“Baba is a respected national democratic icon who we all adore and no youth will deliberately denigrate him. We likewise extend strong apologies to His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the government of Ogun State over the embarrassment caused by this development.”

The Youth Council stated that the Commissioner belongs to the youth constituency and has performed creditably in the discharge of his primary assignment so far and deserves a room for improvement.

According to the Council, “Oluwadare is a worthy representation and icon of the youths in this administration, who has done well in the ministry allocated to him. It is our expectation that the baby should not be thrown away with the birth water. This is a learning curve and the right lessons have been learnt. We are optimistic that our Commissioner will bounce back better and become a pride to the Leaders and people of Ogun State.”