Rep. Wale Raji Hosts NYCN Delegation, Vows Strategic Youth

Rep. Wale Raji hosted NYCN leaders from Epe, Eredo, and Ikosi-Ejinrin to address pressing youth development concerns
Youth delegates requested tech hubs, road construction, vocational equipment, bursaries, and a mobility bus
Raji promised collaboration, infrastructure completion, and strategic engagement with young leaders

In a meeting widely praised as strategic, open, and unprecedented, Rep. Wale Raji, Member of the House of Representatives for Epe Federal Constituency, hosted the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in his constituency office on Sunday.

Ekohotblog gathers that the engagement, the third of a hectic day for the federal lawmaker, gathered youth representatives from the three Local Council Development Areas, Epe, Eredo, and Ikosi-Ejinrin, along with some of Raji’s key aides and respected community youth leaders.

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Present at the session were Otunba Wale Olusesi (Works), Hon. Seriki Olabowale (Political Affairs), Mr. Hassan Bashir (General Administration), and Mr. Kaka Babatunde (Youth Affairs and Media).

Also joining the NYCN delegation were notable youth stakeholders, Leader Salami Ibrahim and Leader Ladele Ismail, who added depth to the deliberations.

In a bold, data-driven presentation, Comrade Moibi Ibrahim, NYCN Coordinator for Epe, outlined a comprehensive youth development blueprint.

He proposed the conversion of existing constituency libraries and offices into solar-powered tech hubs, urgent employment interventions, bursary and overseas scholarship schemes, and an appeal for youth involvement in market stall allocations.

“Our generation wants empowerment, not handouts,” Moibi said. “We are calling for tech-driven development, sustainable skill acquisition, and intentional inclusion in both economic and political spaces.”

From Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Comrade Olaode Yusuf commended Rep. Raji for his visible projects but emphasized infrastructure and mobility gaps. “We appreciate the work done so far, but the Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode Road must be reconstructed. We also request a youth bus to ease mobility across the constituency,” he said.

Representing Eredo LCDA, Comrade Adekunle Seyi stressed the need for a fully functional youth affairs office and expressed concern over limited access to tertiary education. “We need a full-fledged, independent higher institution in Epe,” he said.

“LASU and LASUED’s satellite campuses don’t meet our growing population’s needs. Also, a platform for regular youth dialogue like the National Youth Confab should be replicated here.”

Additional issues raised by the delegation included the immediate construction of the student-dense Odogbonle Road in Noforija, adequate equipment for vocational centers, and improved youth access to civil service opportunities in Lagos State.

Responding with what observers described as sincerity and detail, Rep. Raji expressed appreciation for the energy and clarity of the youth leaders. He emphasized a shared responsibility to transform Epe.

“You have a good voice in my office with Kaka,” he said, referencing his media and youth aide. “Let’s collaborate more. There’s more we can do together in terms of empowerment and capacity building, which would yield positive results.”

On the transportation request, he added, “It’s okay to have mobility to enhance youth participation. I’ll look into the possibility of attending to it.” Addressing concerns about youth employment at the newly upgraded Federal Medical Centre (FMC), the lawmaker explained that the challenge was linked to educational qualifications.

“Most of our youth apply under social sciences,” he said. “The science-based positions were undersubscribed. I did what I could, but the gap in relevant qualifications remains an issue.”

Rep. Raji also took time to clarify misconceptions about FMC Epe’s mandate. “Federal Medical Centres are not like general hospitals.

They are equipped to handle emergencies — the kind of emergencies that have cost us lives while traveling to Lagos. This is a win-win for Epe, especially with the proposed School of Nursing,” he explained.

On the controversial tolling of the Epe-Ijebu-Ode Expressway, the lawmaker assured the youth of a diplomatic approach. “I will explore the opportunity to speak with the Ogun State Governor through a government-to-government dialogue, along with my Ijebu-Ode federal constituency counterpart,” he said.

Rep. Raji also encouraged the NYCN to pursue their digital inclusion goals with a structured plan. “Come up with a strategic plan on the tech hub idea, and I’ll table the matter before the education commissioner,” he assured.

Beyond policy matters, Rep. Raji touched on political transition and succession, drawing parallels with the structured handover in Surulere by former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

“Whoever comes after me will be properly entrenched. The gap will be felt, but we’ll manage it well. Just like in Ile-Ife, we can use our wisdom and collective strength to take Epe higher,” he said.

In closing, Rep. Raji reaffirmed his commitment to service, distancing himself from self-serving politics. “My decision to go to the House of Representatives is not for personal benefits,” he declared. “I didn’t go as a pauper or with any financial pressure.

I see the opportunity to transform our communities far better than what we’ve done now.” He pledged that all outstanding constituency projects would be completed before the year’s end, reiterating his development footprint in roads, healthcare, education, and markets across all 20 wards.