Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has enjoined Nigerian youths to use the social media as a tool for personal development and progress in the society rather than allowing it to dictate how their lives should be run.

Governor Fayemi gave the advice on Friday in Ado Ekiti during the presentation of Outstanding Personality (Omoluabi) Award to Ekiti Youths who have distinguished themselves in their chosen areas of endeavours as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the State and the third year anniversary of his administration.

According to the Governor who was represented by the First lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the awardees were selected from a pool of over a thousand nominees from different categories based on merit and their contributions to the society.

The categories of the award included entertainment, humanitarian, academic excellence, movie, research, tourism, arts and culture, governance, agriculture, and photography, among others.

President Mohammadu Buhari’s Official Photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, the Speaker Ekiti Youth Parliament, Hon Toba Fatula and ace singer, Teniola Apata (Teni the Entertainer), Nollywood artiste, Oyebade Adebimpe, and Philanthropist, Tutumande Adeyeye were among the recipients if the award in different categories.

Others include Sola Matthew, Tanimola Lolade, Olabintan Odunola and Bamidele Ajayi.

The event also featured the presentation of cash gifts to winners of the 2021 JKF Annual Essay Competition, where Ojo Ayobami Victor came first in the Secondary and Post-secondary category; while Olabaniyi Olamide came first in the Undergraduate category and Esan Femi William who came first in the Graduate and Post graduate category.

The Governor, who admitted that it was difficult for young people to access opportunities, urged the awardees to continue to be good ambassadors of the State by using their talents, expertise, knowledge and passion for the development of Ekiti and the country.

“Please we can all be the change that we desire. Change begins with every one of us, being young is not a permanent state it is a phase. Continue to learn, continue to read, it is good you use social media as often as you can but please don’t let social media run your life, let social media be a tool that you use for development and progress.

“To the honourees of today, as we heard you were selected from the group of over 1,000 entry and so we know there are more in that group to receive this award. We are very proud of you, whether you are at home here with us in Ekiti, whether you are abroad, we are extremely proud of you.

“All I ask of you is that wherever you are, wherever you go remember the daughter or the son of who you are.”

Fayemi said his administration would continue to support the youths and provide them with platforms to exhibit their God-given talents. He urged them to continue to exhibit the core values of integrity, hard work, good character, diligence, honesty for which Ekitis are known.

Earlier in his speech, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths and Students Matters, Moses Ademiloye, commended Governor Fayemi for allowing youths to play active roles in the celebration of the State’s silver jubilee anniversary. He disclosed that the 25 awardees were rigorously and judiciously selected from 1,054 persons nominated for the award.

•PHOTO: Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, with honourees during the Ekiti Youths (Omoluabi) Awards, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the state in Ado-Ekiti...on Friday

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