Obafemi Awolowo University Chapter of the Federation of Oyo State Student Union successfully organized its third edition of the Pace Setter Summit on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The summit, which aimed to empower youth leaders and build sustainable communities in Oyo State, attracted a significant turnout.
Over 520 Oyo State students, as well as students from other states, gathered for this momentous event. The summit took place at the ICT Hall, Faculty of Technology, OAU, and was skillfully hosted by two capable MCs, Marshal and his co-host.
Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Senator Gbenga Babalola, the former senator representing Oyo North, who served as the guest speaker. Dr. Debo Akande, the Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Ibadan, was also in attendance, represented by Dr. Dayo Shosina from the agency. Furthermore, notable members of the academic staff, such as Prof. Gbadamosi and Prof. Y.K Yusuf, lent their presence to the event.
The executive members of the association worked diligently to ensure the success of this remarkable gathering. President Babatunde Bori demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in organizing this epoch-making event.
During his speech, Senator Gbenga Babalola encouraged all attendees to invest in themselves and contribute to their communities in order to foster balanced development within Oyo State. Dr. Adesina elaborated on the theme of “Empowering Youth Leaders and Building Sustainable Communities in Oyo State.” His lecture emphasized the concept of empowerment and its potential benefits for the youth in the 21st century. Dr. Adesina discussed the Oyo State government’s efforts to drive agribusiness through innovation, technology, and industrialization. He also highlighted the vision and mission of turning the state into a modern agribusiness hub, aiming to stimulate economic growth and encourage young agripreneurs to invest in agriculture as a means of youth empowerment.
The summit also showcased the talents of Oyo State students at OAU campus. Notable performances included Ayanseyi, a young lady who expressed our cultural heritage through the enchanting sounds of the talking drum, and The Chants, who delighted the audience with their constructive and beautiful use of the Yoruba language to convey important values and morals.
The event concluded around 4:00 PM, with attendees treated to a delicious serving of Amala and Abula, a traditional Yoruba cuisine.
The Pace Setter Summit provided an invaluable platform for Oyo State students to gather, learn, and empower themselves as future leaders while fostering sustainable development in their communities.