By Ruth Adebayo
The First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, says investing in young people is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for sustainable development, peace, and shared prosperity.
She made the remarks on Wednesday in Ilorin while delivering an address at the official launch and public presentation of the 2026 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.
Professor AbdulRazaq praised the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) Nigeria Branch for its longstanding dedication to youth empowerment, education, and advocacy across Commonwealth nations. She explained that the Commonwealth operates on shared values including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, noting that Nigeria remains one of its 56 member countries.
According to her, the rebranded essay competition provides a platform for young writers to express their thoughts on pressing global issues. She recalled that Kwara hosted the 2021 edition of the competition, adding that the Kwara government, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has made education and youth development a priority through policies designed to expand access to quality education and create inclusive opportunities for young people.
These efforts, she noted, include the recruitment of qualified teachers, rehabilitation of school infrastructure, and investments in key institutions such as the Kwara State University of Education, Kwara State Teaching Hospital, the Innovation Hub, and the Sugar Factory Film Studio. Professor AbdulRazaq said these interventions are already yielding results, with young people excelling in academics, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and sports, and increasingly occupying leadership positions.
“My office, through the Ajike People Support Centre, has complemented government efforts by providing scholarships, skills acquisition programmes, educational materials, leadership training, and support for youth participation in creative and sporting activities,” she said. She reaffirmed her office’s commitment to promoting literacy, equality, inclusion, environmental sustainability, and community development, in line with the values of the Royal Commonwealth Society, while thanking the society for choosing Kwara to host the 2026 edition.
The First Lady urged prospective participants to give their best in the competition and bring honour to their families and the state. She also encouraged the visiting delegation to explore partnerships that could further support development initiatives in Kwara.
In his remarks, the Country Director of RCS Nigeria Branch, Mr. Blackson Bayewumi, said the writing competition has been redesigned to encourage broader participation, adding that winners will now be celebrated not only globally but also regionally. He encouraged students below 18 across Commonwealth countries to take part in the competition to sharpen their writing skills, creativity, and innovation.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, said the learning competition gives children lasting knowledge and charged participants to ignite a new passion for intellectual vibrancy.
In separate virtual remarks, Elizabeth van der Valk, Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Commonwealth Society, and Amb. Chris Nonis, former Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, highlighted the exceptional talent emerging from the region and encouraged young people to share their voices on the global stage. They expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her generous support, noting that such commitment is vital for inspiring youth participation.
They also commended the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria Branch for its dedication to organising the event and sustaining educational programmes, while expressing hope of welcoming a future winner to London later this year.
