Grassroots

From Youth Parliament to Grassroots Leadership: J’Icon’s Next Chapter (INTERVIEW) INTERVIEW SESSION WITH JOSHUA OJO ADEREMI AKIN (J’ICON) Aspiring Executive Chairman, Oriire Local Government 1. Can we meet you? Thank you. My name is Joshua Ojo Aderemi Akin, popularly known as J’Icon. I am a proud son of the family of the Are-Ago of Kedo in Ward 5, Oriire Local Government Area. I studied Urban and Regional Planning at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. I completed my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Oyo State House of Assembly during the 2018/2019 service year. 2. You’ve held several leadership positions over the years. Could you briefly tell us about your leadership journey? Leadership has been a defining part of my journey for many years. I have served in various student and youth organizations since 2011. I was National Secretary of the Ogbomoso Students’ Union, Vice President and Pioneer Senate President of the Federation of Oriire Students’ Union (FORSU), and one of the co-founders of the Oriire Youth Council (OYC). I also represented Oriire State Constituency in the Oyo State Youth Parliament, where I served as Chief Whip and Public Relations Officer of the Ogbomoso Caucus. These opportunities have equipped me with valuable experience in leadership, advocacy, and public service. 3.  You also worked in government. How has that prepared you for this aspiration? I served as Special Assistant on New Media to the former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Joshua Olagunju Ojo, and later as New Media Aide to Professors Raphael Afonja and Dahud Shangodoyin, former Commissioners for Public Works and Transport in Oyo State. Those experiences exposed me to governance, public administration, policy implementation, and the importance of responsive leadership. 4.  What inspired your decision to contest for the office of Executive Chairman? I recently completed my tenure at the Oyo State Youth Parliament. Rather than seeking a second term, I chose to challenge myself by offering my services from a greater platform. My passion for serving the people of Oriire did not begin today; it dates back to my days as a student union activist at LAUTECH. As I watched our local security outfits respond to the recent security challenges confronting our communities, I realized they needed greater motivation, improved training, and better resources to perform more effectively. I also concluded that one of the best ways to empower our people and drive meaningful development is to serve from a position where I can influence policies and mobilize the necessary support. I believe Oriire deserves empathetic, visionary, and people-centred leadership. After deep consultation, careful reflection, and prayer, I decided to offer myself for greater service. 5.  Security has become a major concern in Oriire. What is your position on this? Security will be the foremost priority of my administration because no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of fear. My administration will work closely with security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, community vigilante groups, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and neighbouring local governments to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve community policing, and restore confidence so that our people can live, farm, and do business safely. 6. You acknowledged the efforts of the state and local governments in your declaration. Why was that important? Leadership should be about continuity where progress has been made. I appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for his investments in security and intelligence-led operations, as well as his support for the Amotekun Corps. I also commend the Executive Chairman of Oriire Local Government, Hon. Michael Alabi Olateju, for working with security agencies during these challenging times. While there is still more work to be done, it is important to acknowledge genuine efforts where they have been made. 7.  Beyond security, what other priorities do you have for Oriire? My vision is centred on five key areas: strengthening security, improving road infrastructure, providing access to potable water, empowering youths and women through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, and improving the quality of basic education. These are practical areas that directly impact the lives of our people. 8.  Road infrastructure has remained a challenge in many rural communities. What is your plan? Oriire has nearly 800 communities, and connectivity is essential for development. Improved road infrastructure will facilitate agriculture, boost commerce, improve access to healthcare, and stimulate economic activities across our communities. My administration will pursue strategic partnerships and advocate for road projects that connect our communities and open up economic opportunities. 9.  How do you intend to address unemployment among young people? Youth empowerment is central to my vision. We will revive the Vocational Training Centre within the Local Government Secretariat and introduce practical skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship support, and empowerment initiatives that will enable our youths and women to become economically productive. 10.  Education is also one of your priorities. What should the people expect? During my tenure at the Oyo State Youth Parliament, I partnered with the Oriire Youth Council to introduce an annual Pre-UTME Quiz Competition beginning in 2024. The initiative was designed to prepare candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) while encouraging academic excellence among our young people. Outstanding participants received free UTME registration sponsored by our partners and supporters. Going forward, I intend to expand similar initiatives to include inter-primary and inter-secondary school academic competitions across Oriire Local Government. Education is the foundation of sustainable development. We will work to improve learning environments, support quality basic education, and ensure that children in Oriire have the opportunity to compete favourably with their peers anywhere in Nigeria. 11. Some people may say you are still young. Why should they trust you with this responsibility? Leadership is not defined by age but by vision, competence, integrity, character, and a proven record of service. My years of leadership in student organizations, youth development, legislative advocacy, and public service have prepared me for this responsibility. I believe I have the energy, experience, and commitment required to serve effectively. 12. Where do you see Oriire in the next four years … Read more