The lawmaker representing Akure North and Akure South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Prince Abiodun Derin Adesida, has said his office is actively pursuing legislative interventions to empower young Nigerians, especially those from Akure and other parts of Ondo State.
Adesida said his office is also working to establish a Tech Innovation Hub in Akure, the state capital.
He added that the Hub will leverage the technical strength of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and serve as a launchpad for student-led startups.
The federal lawmaker disclosed this on Thursday while delivering a Keynote address at the 15th West African Students Legislative Summit which took place at FUTA.
The theme of the summit was “Innovative Leadership and Legislative Dialogue: Empowering Emerging Leaders to Harness Youthful Energy for Nation Building.”
Represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Femi Fasan, Adesida said: “We are proposing a dedicated Seed Fund for Youth Startups, accessible through simplified channels.
“Furthermore, we are pushing for stiffer legislation against ritual killings and cybercrime, with an emphasis on rehabilitation, reorientation, and reintegration.
“But infrastructure and legislation alone are not enough. We must build institutions that empower, inspire, and equip.”
He challenged the management of FUTA to establish a Student Leadership and Entrepreneurship Hub, a campus-based space where ideas are cultivated, problems are solved, and mentors walk alongside innovators.
“This hub can serve as a training ground for future governors, lawmakers, tech founders, and social entrepreneurs – starting right here in Ondo State.
“The future we desire demands a new kind of leadership – one grounded in vision, empathy, and courage. Leadership is not defined by position, but by the ability to solve problems, make ethical decisions, and mobilize people toward a common goal.
“Look at Rwanda’s YouthConnekt program – a government-led initiative that reduced youth unemployment by 15% in five years.
“President Bola Tinubu has also launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) a programme aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian youth is empowered with at least two marketable skills that open doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.
“I hope our youth will take full opportunity of this new initiative,” Adesida said.
