David Mark Abayomi Commends Bello, Current Kogi Govt Over Youth-Focused Governance

By PressNGR News Desk
A supporter of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, has praised the ex-governor for what he described as a bold and transformational commitment to youth inclusion in governance.
In a statement issued on Thursday, David Mark Abayomi said Bello’s time in office marked a turning point in Kogi politics, particularly in the deliberate elevation of young people into strategic government positions.
According to Abayomi, Bello’s administration was among the earliest in Nigeria to intentionally open the doors of leadership to youths by appointing them into sensitive and influential offices, including commissioners, special advisers, board chairmen, heads of agencies, and other political positions.
He noted that the policy significantly expanded opportunities for young people who had previously seen public office as inaccessible, while also creating pathways for economic empowerment and social mobility for many families across the state.
“A lot of young people who never imagined themselves in positions of authority were given real opportunities to serve and contribute meaningfully to governance,” Abayomi stated.
He added that beyond politics, the initiative helped restore confidence among the younger generation and gave many a renewed sense of purpose and belonging within the state’s leadership structure.
Abayomi further drew a parallel between Bello’s style of governance and the political legacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, where he said merit and capacity were prioritized over age barriers.
According to him, the results of such leadership models are becoming increasingly evident in Kogi, as more young people now show stronger interest in public service, governance, and leadership development.
“The impact is visible. Today, many young people in Kogi are more politically aware, more involved, and more hopeful about their future in leadership,” he said.
The statement also commended the current Kogi State administration for sustaining and building on the youth-centered policies introduced under Bello’s government.
Abayomi said the present leadership has continued to uphold values of inclusion, empowerment, and unity, while also extending opportunities across ethnic, religious, and linguistic divides in the state.
He stressed that the administration’s broader social intervention vision — particularly efforts targeted at lifting families out of poverty at the grassroots — is beginning to reflect in the lives of ordinary citizens.
According to him, the policy direction has started yielding measurable benefits through improved livelihoods and increased economic participation in local communities.
He therefore called on political office holders, appointees, and key stakeholders in Kogi State to rally behind the government and contribute their quota toward deepening development and ensuring that the gains recorded so far are sustained.
“The responsibility of sustaining progress is a collective one. All stakeholders must remain committed to ensuring that the achievements made are not only preserved but expanded for the benefit of the people,” Abayomi added.
The commendation comes amid ongoing conversations around youth participation in governance, a subject that continues to shape political discourse both in Kogi State and across Nigeria.