Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged Nigerian youths to steer clear of crime and instead focus on leveraging the opportunities in the technology and creative sectors to build successful careers.
The governor made this appeal during the Ogun Creative Industry and Technology Conference held on Thursday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
At the event, which featured notable personalities like veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani, comedian Ali Baba, and media personality Denrele Edun, Abiodun announced plans to empower 2,360 youths in Ogun State through specialized training in the creative and technology industries.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Youth Development and Technology Innovation, Dennis Ogunnaike, who also convened the conference, Abiodun emphasized the need for young Nigerians to harness their creative potential for economic growth and innovation.
Decrying the rising involvement of youths in criminal activities, Abiodun described the trend as “a ticking time bomb.”
He stressed that his administration is committed to youth empowerment as a solution to the crisis, particularly through investments in information technology and skills development.
He stated, “The creative industry in Ogun State is the bedrock of creativity and innovation in Nigeria.
He pointed out the significant contributions of Ogun State to Nigeria’s entertainment industry, noting that over 85% of the movies on Africa Magic Yoruba are shot in the state.
However, he lamented the lack of sufficient investment to maximize the sector’s economic benefits.
The governor expressed concern about the frequent arrests of young people for crimes such as cyber fraud and ritual killings, often involving individuals between the ages of 17 and 22.
“We face a major crisis if we don’t act quickly. Instead of seeing our youths excel in creative and innovative ventures, we’re nurturing a time bomb under our noses,” he warned.
Abiodun called for concerted efforts to redirect the energy of young people into productive and profitable ventures.
He added that the conference aimed to showcase successful figures in the creative industry as role models to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
