By Comrade Olúfẹ́mi ‘MVP’ Owóẹ̀yẹ
It began with fireworks! Both literally and symbolically. The opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival burst into life at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, where Ogun State unveiled not just athletes, but a bold vision of excellence and youth inclusion. Dancers painted the air with vibrant motion, cultural drummers echoed the heartbeats of a united people, and a perfectly choreographed spectacle unfolded like a well-written sonnet.
Amidst the roaring crowd and flashing lights, a particular moment drew thunderous applause, when Tunde Onakoya, the chess maestro and global youth advocate, was introduced to the stadium. It was more than just recognition; it was Ogun State affirming a new narrative: that brilliance, compassion, and service to humanity are our greatest sporting achievements.
And rightly so, as Governor Dapo Abiodun, whose foresight and investment in youth development remain unmatched, stood tall as the chief host of a truly monumental event.
That same evening, as the crowd quieted under the floodlights, another powerful truth crystallized: heroes don't always wear jerseys or hold trophies. Some wield strategy boards, others policy blueprints, and some, sheer willpower. Tunde Onakoya’s story continues to inspire!
A boy from the slums turned global icon, who teaches children in marginalized communities to dream using nothing but a chessboard and belief. One such story tells of a young autistic child who, under his mentorship, grew from isolation into international acclaim thereby transforming each move on the board into an assertion of purpose and promise.
Onakoya doesn’t just teach chess, he unlocks destinies.
But the arena of youth empowerment in Ogun State is vast, and many more champions walk among us. Take Tunde Delu, Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Rugby Federation, whose reformative work is lifting rugby from obscurity to relevance. With precision and passion, he’s shaping young athletes into disciplined professionals, giving them purpose through sport.
Then there’s Biola Odetola, the dynamic Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation. A tireless architect of opportunities, Odetola is ensuring that youth across the state find platforms to express their skills, access jobs, and build sustainable futures.
Ambassador Habeeb Whyte, Esq., a razor-sharp legal mind and steadfast youth advocate, stands at the confluence of policy and progress, channeling influence to create inclusive programs and reforms that echo across the country.
Among those who have also left indelible footprints on Ogun’s evolving youthscape are trailblazers like Dr. Sulaimon Adegboyega Abdullateef, Convener of the Cityboy Movement Ogun State, whose mobilization efforts and youth engagement strategy have redefined civic participation.
Ayo Fadimu, Publisher of Standard Times Newspaper, continues to spotlight youth narratives through fearless journalism and mentorship, arming young writers with platforms to tell their stories.
Meanwhile, Solomon Enilolobo, an international businessman of vision and generosity, has been quietly funding scholarships, startups, and community development projects that shift the socio-economic status of entire families.
Together, these changemakers are part of a larger ecosystem—each one playing their role with excellence and integrity. They may not always make front pages or viral videos, but their collective impact is no less historic. With the right tools, funding, and recognition, their influence could easily double, if not triple, forging a new generation of confident, capable Nigerians ready to lead.
Now picture the ripple effect if these visionaries were given not just applause, but amplification tools such as funding, platforms, and networks. Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate, currently hovering around 33%, wouldn’t just dip but could plummet.
Studies show that every N1 million invested in youth-driven enterprises can generate at least 5 sustainable jobs and indirect economic value of over N3 million annually.
Imagine that impact multiplied across 36 states. Crime rates would fall, mental health would improve, innovation would soar. New industries in sports, media, tech, and agriculture would be birthed from passion projects turned powerhouses. Cultural pride would flourish as our stories are told by us, for us, and celebrated globally. We wouldn’t just raise leaders, we’d spark a generation of builders, thinkers, and changemakers.
These individuals aren’t anomalies, they are blueprints. And when we choose to believe in them, invest in them, and build with them, we don’t just empower people, we also recalibrate a nation.
Comrade Olúfẹ́mi ‘MVP’ Owóẹ̀yẹ is a prominent voice in youth advocacy. A versatile professional with proven expertise in leadership, communications, and project management, he writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
