SUMMIT DISPATCH: "Spectators are Traitors or Cowards!" — Coun. Ayo Adekunle Delivers Powerful Charge to Oke-Ogun Youth at Ongoing OOIYSF Get-Together

 

By Ayekooto Media News Desk

   

IGBOHO — The historic Igboho City Hall erupted in applause today, July 16, 2026, as prominent youth leader and community administrator, Counselor Ayo Adekunle, delivered a hard-hitting, deeply intellectual, and patriotic keynote address at the Annual Get-Together of the Òkè-Ògùn Indigenous Youths Solidarity Forum (OOIYSF).

Speaking on the theme, "Oke-Ogun Youth: Transforming Our Heritage Through Active Participation in Elections and Community Development,"Coun. Adekunle challenged the thousands of youths in attendance to shed the cloak of political apathy, declaring that "every onlooker in the struggle for community growth is either a traitor or a coward."

Ayekooto Media presents the full, powerful text of his address to the youth of Oke-Ogun:

OKÉ-ÒGÙN YOUTH: TRANSFORMING OUR HERITAGE THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

By Coun. Ayo Adekunle

Protocol

Our Royal Fathers present, the Chairman of this occasion, distinguished guests, community leaders, our revered elders, fellow youths, ladies and gentlemen, I warmly greet you all. I sincerely appreciate the organizers for finding me worthy of this opportunity to share my thoughts on this pivotal topic.

Introduction: The Legacy of a Generation

Every generation inherits a legacy from those before it. The real question is not what we inherited, but what we shall leave behind for those coming after us. As youths of Oke-Ogun, we have a responsibility not only to preserve our heritage but also to improve it through responsible citizenship, active political participation, and committed community service.

What is Our Heritage?

Heritage refers to the values, culture, traditions, beliefs, customs, language, historical birthrights, landmarks, and achievements passed from one generation to another. It defines our identity as a people and gives meaning to our existence.

Our heritage consists of our tangible treasures. It is a sacred trust handed over to us by previous generations, with the expectation that we will preserve, improve, and transmit it to those yet unborn. We must be deliberate and intentional about this sacred responsibility. As Marcus Garvey aptly said: "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots."

Among these invaluable treasures are our:

 Traditional festivals and historical sites.

 Indigenous languages, cultural values, and customs.

High moral standard of respect for elders, hard work, and responsibility.

 Communal living, sacrificial love, and mutual assistance practices such as Aaro and *Owe.

Protecting these values strengthens our identity and guarantees a better future. 

Active Participation in Elections: Our Democratic Roots

Politics has been described as the art and science of government—the process of acquiring and exercising power. Unfortunately, many Nigerians now see politics as the exclusive business of politicians. This perception has discouraged many good people, especially the youth, from participating in governance.

Yet, as Yoruba people, democratic governance is not foreign to us; it is our heritage. The Old Oyo Empire practiced a highly structured system of checks and balances through the Alaafin, the Oyo Mesi, and the Ogboni Council—a system comparable to modern democratic institutions. Likewise, the selection of family heads (*Baale*) traditionally involved consultation and consensus. That is democracy.

Elections are not alien to our culture. They are part of our historical heritage, and every citizen has a responsibility to strengthen this democratic tradition.

How We Must Participate:

1. Register and Collect: Register as voters and protect your Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

2. Evaluate Competence: Study candidates, their character, competence, and manifestoes, voting based on credibility rather than blind party loyalty.

3. Sacrifice the Day:Set aside election day to perform your civic duty—sacrifice that single day for a better future.

4. Reject Inducements: Reject vote-buying, vote-selling, and sentimental voting based on ethnicity or religion.

5. Protect the Ballot: Vote peacefully, vote only once, and volunteer as election officials, party agents, or accredited observers where qualified.

6. Continuous Engagement: Hold elected leaders accountable after elections. Do not turn them into gods, but respect them.

Active Participation in Community Development

I strongly believe that God created mankind for two major purposes: to worship and serve Him, and to serve humanity. Community development is one practical expression of service to humanity. 

No community grows without the active involvement of its people. Every spectator in community affairs is either avoiding responsibility or abandoning opportunities to make a difference. Remember, every onlooker is either a traitor or a coward. The Holy Bible reminds us that "iron sharpens iron." Likewise, community development succeeds through collective effort.

Practical Ways to Get Involved:

 Join community associations and attend meetings regularly.

 Support local education through donations and scholarships.

Practice political, ethnic, and religious tolerance to preserve peace.

 Participate in community projects and report criminal activities to secure our territory.

Support local businesses and assist widows, the elderly, vulnerable children, and persons with disabilities.

 Organise sports, health outreaches, and educational programs.

Use your personal influence to attract developmental projects such as roads, schools, healthcare centers, electricity, and water.

The Dangers of Apathy and Silence

When citizens—especially the agile and vibrant youth—refuse to participate in elections and community development, the consequences are disastrous. We pave the way for poor leadership, bad governance, corruption, political marginalization, and increased insecurity. 

Comrades, do not forget that when good people remain silent, the society suffers. The consequences are untold and better imagined. We can change the dynamics and rewrite the narratives for our collective good.

Conclusion: The Time to Act is Now

Our heritage is a priceless legacy. Preserving it requires more than words; it demands action. I challenge you to grow beyond rhetorics—no more lip service. Let us rethink and reflect, as the time to act is now.

To the youths of Oke-Ogun, I leave you with this challenge. Our future will not be built by spectators but by our active participation. Gone should be the days when youths are described as lazy, indifferent, or incapable. Our fathers and mothers built the communities we enjoy today. They served during their youthful years and continue to contribute even in old age.

Now is our turn. Now is our time. Arise, let us build! Let us prove that we are responsible, dependable, visionary, and prepared to take over the baton of leadership. Let no one hide. Let no one withdraw. Let no one surrender to apathy.

If there are challenges, let us become the generation that creates solutions. Let us be the descendants of a people determined to build and not destroy. Our tomorrow begins today. May future generations remember us as the generation that preserved our heritage, strengthened democracy, and transformed our communities.

Thank you all for your rapt attention. God bless you.

Signed:

Coun. Ayo Adekunle (Post Plen) 

IPM, Royal Ambassadors of Nigeria and Africa

Chairman, The Landmark Group, Oorelope Local Government, Igboho. National Coordinator, National Association of Uniform Voluntary Organizations (NAUVO).

David Alani Ige (The Scribe)

Public Policy Analyst, Institutional Archivist, and Publisher of Ayekooto Media.

 Phunshor01@gmail.com  

Igboho, Oyo State.