Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, presented awards and letters of recognition to 13 outstanding Ekiti youths in the state, including a 17-year-old student, Idowu Jeremiah, who made nine distinctions in this year’s May/June WAEC and had the highest score in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Fayemi made the presentation alongside the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, during a Youth Forum and award ceremony at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Conventional Centre in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the end of the second term of the Fayemi-led administration in the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, the award titled, ‘Outstanding Persons (Omulabi 2.0) Awards’, which was the second edition, was presented to 11 promising young men and women who have distinguished themselves in different categories including entertainment, academic, governance, agriculture, humanitarian activities, Activism, Gender Advocacy, ICT and digital research, Media and Sports among others.

The awardees were Arewa Omoye (Entertainment (movie), Oluwaseun Ogunsakin (Sports), Ayobami Oluwatosin Durodola (Activism), Ayotomiwa Morenikeji Ayodele (Advocacy), and Olawale Kadri (Leadership and Governance).

Others were Titilayo Abigail Obileye (Communications/Media/Journalism), Mayowa Ekundayo (Enterpreneurship), Adedotun Moses Omoleye (Humanitarian Services), Ayodele Akande (Communications/Media/Journalism (Broadcast Journalism), Oluwatosin Adaraniwon (ICT and Research), and Idowu Blessing Jeremiah (Academic Excellence).

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Certificate of Service was also presented to the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State Chapter, Eyitayo Fabunmi; and the Speaker of the Ekiti Youth Parliament, Hon. Toba Fatunla.

Responding to the question on why he appointed a large number of young persons to serve in his administration, during a panel discussion, Governor Fayemi said he found them demonstrating huge capacity, courage, commitment, and integrity in their service to the State.

The governor said he attached much importance to mentorship and would establish a school of democratic leadership to mentor and develop young persons in leadership positions after leaving office.

On his part, the governor-elect, Oyebanji, assured the youths that he would build on the legacy of his predecessors by continuing to provide platform for youths who exhibit diligence, character, courage, competence, and compassion.

He added that his administration, like Governor Fayemi’s, would expose the youths to opportunities that would improve their lives in their various areas of endeavour.

The event also featured the presentation of cash gift to winners of the 2022 JKF Annual Essay Competition, where Ilori Peace, a prospective medical student, came first in the Secondary and Post-Secondary category, receiving N450,000.

Also, Agbeyo Olugbenga from Federal University of Technology who came first in the undergraduate Category received N700,000, while Awe Similoluwa a Law graduate from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, under the Postgraduate and Graduate Category came first and received N1,000,000.

Others who came second and third depending in their categories received cash gifts ranging from N150,000 to N800,000.

The Star