Empowerment

Charity, Education, Innovation

Young and Gifted Youths Development Initiative Formally Launches University of Ilorin Chapter with Inaugural Open Mic Event

The Young and Gifted Youths Development Initiative (YAGYDI) will today formally establish its University of Ilorin Chapter, marking a significant step in expanding its mission to empower and mobilize student leaders across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The launch of the YAGYDI Unilorin Chapter will take place today at 12:00 p.m. at Affinity Hub, Liyah Gold Building, opposite Bovas Filling Station, Oke-Odo, Ilorin. The event will serve as both the official inauguration of the chapter and the debut of Open Mic, a signature platform designed to facilitate unfiltered dialogue, creative expression, and leadership development among young people. The launch event will be centered on the theme “Youth Leadership in SDGs: Things We Never Talk About,” highlighting the initiative’s commitment to addressing the critical yet often overlooked challenges that impede effective youth participation in sustainable development. This discussion will be led by a distinguished panel of discussants, including Salman Opeyemi Sulaiman, Taofeeq Alata, Princewell Nnadziem, and Qareebat Ibrahim, who will explore the unspoken barriers, structural limitations, and strategic gaps within youth leadership. The event will also feature performances by a select group of artists, spoken-word poet Fadaka, musician Timothy Oluwamayomikun Adediran, comedian Abdool, and singer ZIA, demonstrating the integral role of creative expression in YAGYDI’s programming. The establishment of the University of Ilorin Chapter represents a deliberate effort to institutionalize YAGYDI’s work within the academic community, creating a sustainable framework for student-led initiatives focused on leadership development, policy advocacy, and community impact. The Open Mic platform, launched as part of this chapter, will serve as the primary mechanism for convening regular forums where young leaders can engage in substantive discussions, challenge prevailing narratives, and articulate actionable solutions.“This launch marks the beginning of a purposeful and structured engagement with students at the University of Ilorin,” said representatives of the Young and Gifted Youths Development Initiative. “The YAGYDI Unilorin Chapter, through its Open Mic platform, will provide a consistent and dedicated space for young people to address the critical issues that are often sidelined in mainstream conversations about leadership and development.”The event will combine moderated panel discussions with spoken word performances, music, and comedy, creating an environment that encourages both intellectual rigor and creative participation. By establishing the University of Ilorin Chapter, YAGYDI aims to build a network of empowered student leaders equipped to contribute meaningfully to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Innovation

YAGYDI Partners with Affinity Innovative Hub to Empower Young Innovators in Ilorin

As part of its expanding commitment to youth development and sustainable innovation, the Young and Gifted Youths Development Initiative (YAGYDI) has announced a new partnership with Affinity Innovative Hub in Ilorin. The collaboration aims to achieve SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reflecting YAGYDI’s belief that transformation starts when local organizations work together to create opportunities. For YAGYDI, this partnership is more than just a formal agreement; it’s an opportunity to connect education with employability and technology with purpose. The initiative will offer young people access to mentorship, digital literacy programs, and entrepreneurship training—practical tools to help them navigate a rapidly changing world. Talking about the collaboration, Kamal Alao Ashimiyu, founder of YAGYDI, called the partnership one of the organization’s most strategic alliances to date. “Our partnership with Affinity Innovative Hub in Ilorin is one of our most practical collaborations,” Ashimiyu said. “Affinity serves as both a development partner and a technical hub for YAGYDI. They provide us with space, tools, and expertise to run our programs more effectively, especially those focused on education, innovation, and digital empowerment.” Under this partnership, Affinity Innovative Hub will assist YAGYDI in organizing mentorship sessions, workshops, and personal development programs that help young people develop employable skills and start innovative ventures. “For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Affinity supports our efforts to prepare youth for employment and entrepreneurship. Through training, networking, and incubation programs, we help participants turn their ideas into sustainable businesses or find meaningful careers,” he explained. YAGYDI’s partnership model is based on the belief that collaboration amplifies impact. By working with organizations like Affinity, YAGYDI demonstrates that sustainable growth depends not only on resources but also on relationships and the right partnerships that connect vision with action execution. “This collaboration embodies what YAGYDI stands for: connecting people, organizations, and opportunities,” Ashimiyu said. “Together, we’re showing that when local organizations cooperate, we can create stronger systems that genuinely empower young people and build stronger communities.” Through this alliance, YAGYDI hopes to make Ilorin a centre of youth-led innovation, where creativity, education, and entrepreneurship converge. As the partnership unfolds, the organization remains focused on its broader mission, turning the potential of young Africans into tangible progress through education, leadership, and collaboration.

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