Epe Club, CNI Nigeria Host Maiden Youth Summit, Call for Responsible Leadership, Good Governance

By Sultan Teslim 

EPE, Lagos — The prestigious Epe Club, in collaboration with Concerned NationBuilders Initiatives (CNI Nigeria), has hosted the maiden edition of the Epe Division Youth Summit, bringing together youths, community leaders, academics, security agencies and representatives of various organisations to discuss youth empowerment, responsible leadership and sustainable community development.

The summit, held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Multipurpose Hall of Epe Club, was themed “Empowering the Youth for Responsible Leadership, Good Governance and Sustainable Community Development.”

The event attracted a large gathering of young people from different communities across Epe Division, alongside prominent personalities and representatives of youth organisations, professional associations and civil society groups.

Among the dignitaries present were the President of Epe Club, Chief Olayeni Dada; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Professor Basirat Olushola Oladipupo Folarin, who delivered the keynote lecture; and the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Omole Iyalabake.

Others included Prince Ademola Adetola; Ambassador Kadri Abiola Adedolapo; Comrade Rasaki Musa Gbolagade of Grace Foundation; and Comrade Adesanya Ibrahim Oluwadamilare. Representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were also in attendance.

Speaking during the opening session, the Director-General of CNI Nigeria, Chief Idris Tele Olukoya, commended the participating youth organisations for their impressive turnout and contributions to the success of the summit.

Olukoya said the initiative was designed to provide young people with a platform to express their concerns, exchange ideas and engage constructively with relevant authorities on issues affecting their communities.

He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the voices of young people across Epe Division were heard by the Lagos State Government, noting that meaningful engagement between the government and the younger generation was essential to addressing community challenges and promoting inclusive development.

The CNI Nigeria director-general also acknowledged the collective efforts of the participating organisations, whose presence reflected the interest of young people in leadership, governance and the future development of the division.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Folarin emphasised the importance of youth participation in politics and governance, urging young people to become responsible stakeholders in the democratic process.

She stressed that youths should not allow themselves to be used as instruments of political thuggery but should instead channel their energy, talents and creativity towards constructive political participation, leadership development and community service.

According to her, young people have important roles to play in shaping public policy, promoting accountability and contributing to decisions that affect their future.

She further encouraged them to develop a clear understanding of their civic responsibilities and participate meaningfully in governance beyond election periods.

The university don also addressed drug abuse, cybercrime, entrepreneurship and mentorship, highlighting the need for young people to make responsible choices and pursue legitimate opportunities for personal and economic advancement.

She stressed the importance of self-employment and entrepreneurship as avenues through which youths could develop their skills, create economic opportunities and contribute to society.

On mentorship, she encouraged young people to become positive role models and use their influence to inspire others, promote responsible conduct and contribute to the development of their communities.

The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which individuals and representatives of participating organisations engaged the guest speaker on issues raised during the presentation.

The session provided an opportunity for participants to seek clarification, share perspectives and contribute to discussions on youth development and responsible leadership.

Participating organisations included the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), with representatives from Ikosi-Ejinrin, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and Eredo; City Boy Movement; Epe People's Voice; All Fulfillment Foundation; Ejirin Youth Organisation; Creative Feeders Club; National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS); National Youth Parliament (NYP); Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT); Federation of Epe Division Students Association (FEDSA); LACKOTA; and NASFAT, among others.

The programme was anchored by Kawojue Sheriff, popularly known as Epe Lawa, and Adesanya Cosmos, also known as MC Cosmos-Kay.

The summit's focus on responsible leadership and sustainable development underscored the importance of creating opportunities for young people to contribute to addressing challenges in education, employment, public safety and community development.

The gathering also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among youth organisations, community leaders, educational institutions and relevant government agencies in developing practical responses to issues affecting young people.

Observers of youth development initiatives have often emphasised the importance of translating discussions at such gatherings into sustained programmes, practical opportunities and measurable outcomes. For the Epe Division Youth Summit, continued engagement and follow-up initiatives could help advance the objectives outlined by the organisers.

The maiden edition marked a collaborative effort by Epe Club and CNI Nigeria to strengthen youth engagement and encourage constructive conversations about leadership, governance and community advancement.

The extent to which the summit achieves lasting impact will depend on the continuity of the initiative and the translation of its discussions into practical actions that benefit young people and communities across Epe Division.