By Michael Adeyemo
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, emphasised on the need for youths to harness the transformative power of digital advocacy as a tool for driving positive societal change.
Governor Adeleke made the call in Osogbo, Osun State at a One Day Change Champion Conference 2025, organized by the Get Healthy Africa Initiative, GHAI in collaboration with Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, NYFF and other partners.
At the conference, themed “Leveraging Digital Advocacy in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Governor Adeleke highlighted the crucial role of technology in empowering youths to drive impactful systemic changes that will benefit future generations.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the Governor noted that digital advocacy entails among other things, eradicating poverty and ensuring inclusive prosperity, fostering peace, justice and robust institutions, and promoting genda equity and ensuring quality education for all.
The Governor also expressed deep appreciation to stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to promoting digital advocacy towards driving sustainable development across states.
Delivering the keynote address, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist from UNICEF, Lagos Field Office Nigeria, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, encouraged youths and other stakeholders to utilize their digital platforms to inspire, promote and achieve meaningful changes in the society.
Mrs. Akinola-Akinwole emphasized that achieving the SDGs requires collective efforts and innovative digital strategies.
In his special presentation, a digital content producer and Social Change Advocate Mr. Idris Animasaun urged youths to align their actions with the values they promote.
Mr. Animasaun who is also a media activist stressed that to drive meaningful transformation, young people must embody the change they are advocate.
Two participants, Ms. Fisayo Dosumu and Mr. James Fakunle, described the conference as impactful and pledged to use the knowledge gained to drive positive change within their communities by promoting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Earlier, the convener of the conference,who is also the Chief Executive Officer, GHAi, Mr. Faysol Oluwakemi, explained that the workshop aims to empower young people to become effective advocates for community development and sustainable progress.
The event featured a panel discussion, interactive sessions, and the presentation of certificates to Fellows of the Change Champion Project.
Notable attendees included an Ibadan based Prominent female Broadcast Journalists, Oreoluwa Aladejuyigbe, Ace Online Media Specialist, Ayò Adams, Nigeria Leader for Good Deeds Day Network, Mr Adetola Bamidele and the General Manager of Pensioners FM, Dr. Babatunde Tiamiyu, who commended the initiative and encouraged youths to take action by using the digital platform in achieving the SDGs.
