Youths from the Kwara South Senatorial District on Monday urged the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Ojulari, and other federal appointees from the region to leverage their offices for the socio-economic advancement of the area.

The appeal was made during a press conference organised by the Kwara South Youth Development Organisation (KWAYORG) at Igbomina House in Ilorin, the state capital.

Prince Abolarin Dansharafa, spokesperson for KWAYORG, addressed journalists flanked by representatives from various constituencies: Kareem Adebowale (Ekiti Youth), Pastor Ajibola Olugbenga (President, Igbomina Youth Assembly), and Comrade Ahmed Hassan (Ibolo axis representative).

Dansharafa emphasised the need for federal appointees to prioritise infrastructure, education, and job creation initiatives in Kwara South, stating: “Your positions are not just personal achievements but opportunities to uplift our communities.”

“To our appointees, we urge you all to use your positions to champion development, transparency, and fairness. Prioritise youth inclusion, engage the grassroots, and speak for the voiceless.

“We charge you to collaborate among yourselves through unity of purpose to bring home developmental projects and policies as patriotic sons of the soil,” the KWAYORG spokesman said.

They expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his far-sightedness, inclusive governance, and commitment to competence and for appointing eight notable indigenes of Kwara South into various positions.

They said, “We acknowledge, commend, celebrate, and give thanks for the wave of national appointments bestowed upon illustrious sons and daughters of Kwara South who have demonstrated excellence, loyalty, competence and capacity.”

It noted the appointments as testament to merit and worthy leadership. “We acknowledge our Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the Nigeria's Governors' Forum, whose influence and diplomacy have opened doors for Kwara Southerners.”

They listed the appointees from the zone to include Barr. Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN), attorney general of the federation and Minister of Justice; Prof. Wale Sulaiman, pioneer pro-chancellor, Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State; Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi, member, TETFund Board; Hon. AbdulGaniyu Zubair, member, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Offa; Hon. Segun Adebayo, executive secretary, NALDA; Hon. Charles Afolayan, coordinator, The Green Money Project; Engr. Olatunji Ojulari, Group CEO of NNPCL and Barr. Lanre Falola Jimoh, federal commissioner, Public Complaints Commission.

“KWAYORG remains committed to partnering with government, institutions, and leaders for Kwara South's greater good. May this be the dawn of a new era. May Kwara South rise. May our youth shine. May Nigeria flourish,” they added.