NYD: Extolling Speaker Danladi’s penchant for Kwara’s progress through youth development

By Ibrahim Kale Jimoh

While we’ve witnessed many privileged politically exposed persons mouthing youth orientation, especially during political campaigns as a way of swaying sentiments of the largest demography of Nigeria’s population in favor of their political interests, rarely have we find many of these people truly reflecting such orientation on ascension of public offices. In fact, young people privileged to be in such positions sometimes do not act in the sociopolitical and economic interest of their own generation, but rather struggle to blend up to lifestyles that is alien to them and antithetical to the economic growth of the State and Nigeria as a whole.

On this auspicious occasion of National Youth Day, as a young entrepreneur that has enjoyed the support of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Kwara state House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who does not only stop at consistently patronizing my products but have also overtime, been my marketer before his colleagues at the Kwara state House of Assembly, encouraging them to patronize our made in Kwara products. I want to specially celebrate this young man, as this act of his transgress mere support for my business, but a subconscious pragmatic approach that is not only capable of youth empowerment but equally instrumental to the gradual acceleration of our economic development from within.

In addition to supporting, inspiring and motivating young people, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu has had a significant impact on the youth constituency through skill development, empowerment, and strengthening youth entrepreneurship by promoting and patronizing local products.

A few months ago, Hon. Danladi invited me to his office and commended my brand for both the top-notch standard and the inscription of ProudlyKwara on our products. He said, “For a very long time, I have been following your activities, and I want to tell you that I am proud of you.”

Quick one: He ordered pairs of shoes, which were delivered to him even before the given time. This was in the presence of one of Kalia Footwear’s mothers, Hon. Bashirat Abdurazaq of Kwara Garment Factory.

Again, a few days ago, he called to meet him at the Whitefield Hotel. On getting there, I met him in the midst of other house members, including the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode. I could not imagine the kind of warm reception I received from such a stateman. Let me quickly thank him again for being a good leader, not a boss, and most especially for valuing the members of the youth constituency he’s representing in the state.
All the members standing with me are very thirsty for my made-in Kwara shoes. As they asked me, where are the shoes? I replied, I have no clue to come here with shoes, but I will send one of my boys now to go and bring some from the workshop.

While awaiting my boy to bring available shoes, the deputy speaker, Hon. Ojo. Olayiwola Oyebode, engaged me and let me realize how the speaker has promoted all local products, especially my brand, among the honorable members. He encouraged all of us to patronize Kwara more, as this would add value to our economic system.

Immediately, the deputy speaker, Hon. Ojo, ordered four pairs of Made-in Kwara shoes for himself and also for his children.

And the Honourable also ordered more ProudlyKwara shoes for both himself and his children. He said, “Strengthening youth entrepreneurship through promotion and patronizing local products is a priority, not an optional one, especially when the state government, under the leadership of Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is working to ensure everyone sees Kwara beyond the civil servant state.”
His moral leadership, passion, and convictions have touched many people, especially the youth.

On the occasion of International Youth Day, I hope the KWHA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Saliu Danladi; his Deputy, Hon. Ojo Olayiwola; and the Majority Leader, Hon. (Barr.) Oba Magaji AbdulKadir, and all Assembly members stay healthy and strong for the benefit of their families, Kwara, and Nigeria.

Ibrahim Kale Jimoh is the CEO of Kalia Footwears and can be reached via +2348054456158