The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has commended the nomination of Ayodele Olawande as the Minister of State for Youth by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). This endorsement came through an official statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao, on Sunday.
The Minister expressed his admiration for President Tinubu’s ability to recognize and harness the talents and potential of the youth demographic. This move is seen as a testament to the President’s dedication to empowering the younger generation and ensuring their active participation in national development.
“The RenewedHope agenda is one that we are confident will flourish, given your ability to not only recognize talents but also to fostering environment where merit can truly thrive”, he added.
Ayodele Olawande, a prominent figure within the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), boasts a background as a community development specialist and a respected youth leader. His noteworthy tenure includes serving as the Ondo State APC Youth Leader before assuming his position in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Innovation, where he diligently contributed from 2019 to 2023.
Ayodele Olawande, popularly known as Ayo Wisdom, is a dynamic and dedicated 34-year-old leader who has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s youth empowerment landscape. He was born and raised in Lagos, and his journey has taken him from being an educator to a prominent figure in politics and various professional roles. Currently nominated by President Tinubu as Minister of State for Youth, here’s a snapshot of Ayo Wisdom’s bio:
– Age: 34 years
– Strategic Communication Officer at Emerging Community Africa (2023 – Present)
– Operation Manager at The Way Project Nigeria Limited (2023 – Present)
– APC Youth Leader (2021 – Present)
– Personal Assistant to the Special Adviser Innovation to the Vice President (2019-2023)
– Site Administrator/Engineer at Renz Nigeria Limited (2019-2022)
– Director Monitoring at National Examination Council (NECO) (2020-2022)
– Director of Business at TEHUB (2020)
– Director Operation at LAHHOMES (2020)
– Field Officer at IDP/NSIP NSIO (2020-2021)
– Former ward 9 Akure South Auditor: Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) 2009 – 2011
– Former/Founder Action Youth Movement 2015 – 2019 (AYM)
– Member Ondo Youth for Aketi 2012-2018 (ACN)
– Former Southwest Co-coordinator. Asiwaju Grassroot foundation (AGF)
– Ondo State Coordinator. All Progressive Youth Forum (APYF) 2018 – 2023
– Former ICT Director 2015 – 2018 (APC)
– Member Convention Committee All Progressives Congress 2018
– Member committee Kogi State governorship election
– Member state Congress committee 2018 Kogi State
– Member ward congress of appeal committee. All Progressives Congress 2021 Edo State
– Member Local government congress appeal committee. All Progressives Congress 2021 Edo State
– Ondo State youth leader All Progressives Congress 2021
– Deputy Director Presidential campaign Council Youth Southwest 2023
The nomination of Ayodele Olawande is expected to bring fresh perspectives and vigor to the youth-oriented policies and programs of the government.
The decision by the President has garnered praise from the residents of Ondo State, who have voiced concerns about the State’s representation in the cabinet. Some have argued that, given the high number of votes they contributed to the President’s success in the South West, the State should have been allocated more than one ministerial slot. This sentiment has arisen partly due to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health-related absence, which has fueled debates about the State’s fair share in ministerial appointments.