Ademola Adeleke’s bold agenda: Osun youths and women take center stage

Politics

OSHOGBO, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — Hon. Kazeem Akinleye, Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has assured youths and women groups in the state that the Adeleke administration will sustain its pro-youth and pro-women governance when re-elected on August 15. The reinvigorated policy is contained in the updated five-point agenda, with renewed emphasis on youths, women, and workers.

A statement signed by the Government Media Centre on March 22, 2026, noted that the governor had released the new version of his five-point agenda. It includes integrated youth, women, and workers’ welfare and empowerment; infrastructure consolidation for social and economic wellbeing; agro-industrial expansion for collective prosperity; affordable, qualitative health and education access; and an improved, secure business environment for job creation.

Of all the five agenda items, the first has drawn the most attention. Previously titled “Citizens and Workers’ Welfare,” it now specifically includes youths and women, a move widely seen as a direct response to demands from these groups for greater recognition and support.

Communications from youth organizations praised the administration’s achievements between 2022 and 2026 but urged the inclusion of youths in the top agenda to triple support for the sector in Adeleke’s second term. Some groups even drafted proposals for the 2026–2030 manifesto, highlighting areas needing further emphasis.

Women’s activists also submitted detailed recommendations, citing successes already recorded and calling for mainstreaming women’s issues across ministries and agencies. One group specifically recommended the creation of women’s desks to ensure sustained attention.

Commenting on the development, Akinleye assured that Adeleke’s administration would continue its pro-youth and pro-women governance. He emphasized that the updated manifesto reflects the aspirations of Osun people and expands service delivery to youths, women, workers, and all segments of society.

“Osun has witnessed strong performance under Governor Adeleke in his first term. Our people should expect more service delivery, more listening, and more responses to their wishes,” Akinleye stated.