Whyte, who serves as deputy coordinator of the Cityboy Movement in Ogun State, the state coordinator of BAT Lawyers and chairman of the Ogun Youth Assembly, has urged young people to take a more active role in debate over a development agenda he said could influence their prospects and the state’s economic direction.
In an open letter to Ogun youths, Whyte assessed the proposed framework and called for broader youth involvement in setting and discussing the state’s development goals.
Iteseiwaju agenda
He said the idea of Itesiwaju—meaning advancement or progress—captures residents’ hopes for stronger infrastructure, better education, more accessible health services, industrial growth and wider economic opportunity.
“Itesiwaju is an expression closely linked to our shared hopes for progress, development and advancement,” he said. “Its value is not simply in its electoral appeal, but in the discussion it encourages about Ogun State’s future and the role young people should have in it.”
Whyte listed nine areas contained in the agenda: infrastructure; tourism and the creative arts; education; security; healthcare; youth and sports; agriculture; industrialisation; and urban renewal.
He said the sectors matter especially to younger residents looking for jobs, business opportunities, career advancement and better living standards.
The youth leader argued that continuity in government could preserve development gains while allowing space for fresh thinking and innovation.
“Political continuity is not the same as developmental continuity,” he said. “Developmental continuity means sustained progress in institutions, infrastructure, economic prospects and public services.”
He said such continuity could underpin lasting growth if it is accompanied by sound policy, capable institutions and a sustained focus on residents’ welfare.
Youth empowerment and economic development
Whyte referred to The Progressive YAYI, a publication linked to Adeola, which proposes digital-skills training for no fewer than 100,000 young people, as well as entrepreneurship support, business incubation and access to markets.
He said the expanding importance of technology to employment, enterprise and economic competitiveness made digital training a major subject for public discussion.
Programmes that give young people usable skills, support for businesses and links to markets could enable them to play a larger part in Ogun State’s economic expansion, he said.
Whyte said the connections between education, agricultural reform, youth development and industrialisation required close consideration because each sector could reinforce the others.
“Education must give young people useful knowledge and practical skills,” he said. “Youth-focused programmes should open routes to entrepreneurship, professional advancement and meaningful involvement.”
Agricultural transformation, he added, could generate work in farming, processing, logistics and technology, while industrialisation could increase opportunities for qualified workers and locally based firms.
He also called for youths to have a larger voice in governance, saying students, professionals, artisans, farmers, entrepreneurs, athletes and people working in the creative sector all have useful perspectives to offer on policy and development planning.
“A state that seeks progress should do more than design programmes for young people; it should allow young people to help design those programmes,” he said.
Whyte said constructive interaction between political officeholders and young residents would make development policies more responsive to the ambitions and day-to-day needs of communities throughout Ogun State.
He encouraged young people to examine the proposed agenda, join public conversations and offer suggestions that could improve delivery of development initiatives.
Focus ahead of 2027
Whyte said the political period leading to 2027 should be used for substantive discussions about Ogun State’s future, centred on education, employment creation, infrastructure, healthcare and inclusive economic expansion.
In his view, the nine-pillar framework has created an opening to consider how stated development objectives could produce practical improvements in residents’ lives.
“As political activity builds towards 2027, our generation can show a better-informed form of civic engagement,” he said. “We should carefully assess development plans, recognise useful proposals and take part in discussions about the future we share.”
He urged youths to stay involved in political affairs, arguing that their engagement would be central to shaping policies that respond to their needs and ambitions.
Whyte said the real measure of the Itesiwaju agenda would be whether it helps build stronger institutions, improve public services, create sustainable jobs and raise living standards across Ogun State.
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