The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on OPIC, Housing and Special Projects, Prince Farooq Adenugba, has said sustained engagement with young people is critical to promoting inclusive governance and addressing challenges confronting communities across the state.

Adenugba, according to a statement he issued on Sunday, stated this at the Strategic Ijebu North Youth Retreat/Engagement held at Omo Ilu Hall, Ijebu Igbo, where more than 2,000 youths and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress gathered to discuss governance, community development and political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the retreat was designed to provide a platform for meaningful interaction between government representatives and young people, enabling them to identify pressing issues and jointly seek practical solutions.

“This is not a campaign. It is an opportunity to compare notes, identify the pain points affecting the youths and society, and also share some of the initiatives, programmes and projects the government is implementing,” Adenugba said.

The governor’s aide noted that the forum reflected the administration’s commitment to listening to citizens and ensuring that public policies respond to the needs of the people.

Participants at the retreat urged governments at all levels to prioritise youth empowerment through job creation, industrial development, vocational and technical education, improved road infrastructure, reliable electricity supply and effective flood control measures.

They also called for the restoration of local government autonomy, the establishment of constituency offices to strengthen communication between elected officials and constituents, and sustained efforts to curb political violence and thuggery.

The event also featured discussions on the political future of Ogun State, with organisers expressing support for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in 2027, and Mrs Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun as his running mate.

The youths also endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun for the Ogun East Senatorial seat while reaffirming their support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Responding to concerns raised by participants, Adenugba disclosed that the government had approved the reconstruction of the road linking the Permanent Site of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, to Ijebu Igbo.

He said the project had been scheduled for completion within six months, describing it as one of the government’s strategic interventions to improve infrastructure and stimulate economic activities in the area.

Adenugba also assured participants that the resolutions reached during the engagement would not be ignored.

“All the resolutions and recommendations from this retreat will be properly documented and forwarded to the appropriate state and federal authorities for policy consideration and implementation,” he said.

He urged young people to remain actively involved in governance through constructive engagement, stressing that government benefits from continuous feedback from citizens.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Otunba Deji Kalejaiye, commended Adenugba for creating a platform that allowed thousands of young people to engage directly with government officials.

He said such interactions would deepen democratic accountability, strengthen public confidence in government and encourage greater youth participation in governance.

Dignitaries at the event included Senator Gbenga Kaka, a former deputy governor of the state; Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, representing Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency; Hon. Olatunbosun Ipaye; Hon. Engr. Segun Odunuga, representing Ijebu North II Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly; and the Senior Special Adviser on Transport, Alhaji Hon. Moibi Olufidun, among others.