2026 Digital Hackathon : Oyo SSG, Hon. RAD, Kazeem Bolarinwa Charges Youth to Be Resilient, Innovative

The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, has charged youths to remain resilient, innovative and committed to personal development as part of efforts to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and the country at large.

Professor Babatunde gave this charge at the 2026 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Bureau of ICT and Digital Innovations, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspiration.”  The event, which featured the Hackathon 2026 Youth Presentation, was held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The Secretary to the State Government emphasised the importance of personal commitment, continuous self-development and goal setting, urging the young participants to take responsibility for their growth by setting clear and achievable targets and remaining committed to attaining them.

He noted that opportunities for learning and development would only produce meaningful results when matched with discipline, determination and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Professor Babatunde urged the interns to see the Hackathon and the digital skills acquired during the programme as opportunities to build their capacity and contribute meaningfully to the development of Oyo State and society at large.

The interns, who are under the supervision of the Management Information Centre (MIC), Governor’s Office, Oyo State, were drawn from different backgrounds and given the opportunity to demonstrate the digital skills acquired during their internship.

The guest speaker and Chairman/CEO of Olanreforward Foods Limited, Mr. Olanrewaju, admonished the interns to be more creative in their practical application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), noting that such skills would enhance their opportunities as the world continues to evolve into a global village.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and E-Governance, Mr. Bayo Akande, said the interns were expected to identify gaps and challenges within the State Secretariat during their engagement.

Akande expressed optimism that the innovations presented at the Hackathon would provide solutions to some of the identified challenges, while also having the potential to address problems beyond the Secretariat and contribute to the overall development of Oyo State.

He announced gifts for the First, Second and Third-place winners in recognition of their outstanding innovative projects.

In her goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD), commended the initiative, describing it as a laudable effort to equip young people with relevant digital skills for the future.

The Director of Youth Mobilization, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa tasked the youth to take advantage of available opportunities to acquire knowledge, develop innovative ideas and contribute positively to society.

Hon. Bolarinwa hinted further that the  Hackathon 2026 provided a platform for the interns to demonstrate the practical application of their digital skills through innovative projects, reflecting the programme’s objective of transforming youth capacity development into practical solutions capable of contributing to the development of Oyo State and beyond.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary,       Bureau of ICT & Digital Innovations, Engr. Abisola Adabanija, described the occasion as a special one, noting that it coincided with the celebration of International Youth Day.

She said the programme had provided the interns with opportunities to acquire practical knowledge and develop skills that could be applied to real-life challenges.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

August 26, 2026