By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende |
LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a bold and unprecedented declaration, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, has stated he feels genuine pity for his successor, claiming he has set a new, demanding standard for the role.
The commissioner said this while addressing a gathering of young people at the International Youth Day 2025 celebration held at the Badagry Youth Centre on Saturday.
Ogunlende painted a vivid picture of the relentless pace required to effectively bridge the gap between the government and the youth. “Personally, I feel sorry for the next commissioner of youth in Lagos because he has a lot of work to do because I have raised the bar,” he stated. Highlighting his gruelling schedule, he noted, “People see me going to five or six events in one day.”
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He emphasised that rebuilding trust is a monumental task, one that requires presence across all of Lagos's 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). With a self-imposed deadline, the commissioner declared, “I have about 603 days left in office… every day must count,” underscoring his commitment to making every moment left in his tenure impactful for the youth.
Shifting from his own legacy, Commissioner Ogunlende delivered a powerful message on governance and civic responsibility. He urged the youth to hold their leaders accountable, positioning himself not as an untouchable figure but as a public servant.
“We must hold ourselves accountable; we are government workers and not gods,” he asserted. Championing the spirit of the times, he proclaimed, “Gone are the days you don't know what your representatives are doing, this is the era of soro-soke (speak up).” He challenged every individual to start making a difference from their immediate communities, asking pointedly, “What are you doing to make an impact in your community?”
He revealed the state’s proactive measure against drug abuse with the establishment of Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA) , a dedicated department to combat the epidemic.
He sent a stark warning to users, stating that drugs are not a lifestyle but a path to self-destruction. Furthermore, Ogunlende addressed the geographical disparity in opportunity, specifically highlighting the challenges faced by youth in Badagry. He acknowledged that the area is often deemed “far,” leading to a deprivation of government initiatives and opportunities, a gap he has personally worked to fill by facilitating logistics.
In his concluding remarks, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende transformed his challenge into an inspiration. He dismissed the notion of a zero-sum game, affirming that “the sky is big enough for all of us to thrive,” and discouraged pulling others down to succeed.
His final words were a direct call to action, urging the youth to utilise their time wisely and step out to seize the opportunities being created. The event, marked by this candid and energising address, has set a new tone for youth engagement in Lagos State, leaving a high benchmark for future officeholders and a charged atmosphere of expectation among the state's young population.