GEM Raises Political Temperature in Kwara, Inducts 193 Ward Coordinators, Targets 100,000 Community Advocates
Published on October 04, 2026 at 02:46 PM • Public Broadcast
By Tomi Vincent Fadunmade
The Golden Era Movement (GEM) has concluded its statewide induction of Ward Coordinators across the 193 wards of Kwara State, climaxing with the inauguration of 83 coordinators from Irepodun, Ekiti, Isin, Oke-Ero, Offa, Ifelodun and Oyun at a grand finale in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area. The exercise also launched GEM’s Ward-Based Register for Community Development Advocates, with the movement targeting 100,000 citizens across the state to deepen grassroots participation and responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
GEM National Convener, Dr. Seyi Adigun, said Nigeria’s development requires an organised, informed and responsible citizenry, urging the coordinators to regard their wards as their “first constituency of citizenship.” He said GEM would encourage citizens to engage governance issues, interrogate political promises and demand measurable results, while calling for the 2027 electoral season to move beyond rallies and slogans to serious conversations on the economy, education, youth opportunities, security, healthcare and rural development.
Delivering the first keynote address on “Community Participation: Foundation for Sustainable Development in an Emerging Democracy,” Chief (Barr.) Olusegun Olawoyin urged the coordinators to transform grassroots participation from election day activity into sustained community engagement.
The second keynote speaker, Dr. Joseph Adekunle Bamidele, a Senior Lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), stressed that democracy must extend beyond voting to continuous citizen participation, arguing that development is more sustainable when communities help identify their needs, set priorities, develop solutions and monitor implementation.
The father of the occasion, Major General Yemi Abidoye (Rtd.), commended the initiative behind the establishment of GEM, which focuses on reawakening citizens to their roles in democracy and community development. He described the initiative as a laudable one.
The Chairman of GEM, Kwara State Chapter, Alhaji Abiodun Salaudeen, charged the newly inducted coordinators to treat their positions as a responsibility to their communities and uphold integrity, unity and service.
The event attracted prominent stakeholders, including SDP gubernatorial candidate Dr. Ridwan Apaokagi and his running mate, other SDP candidates, a representative of PDP Kwara South senatorial candidate Prince Saheed Popoola, Chief Kayode Olaoye, Hon. Damilare Tajudeen Gudugba, Engr. Muhideen Shittu, Prince Adesoye Nurudeen and Comrade Lateef Adelani Oladipo, among others, reflecting GEM’s stated non partisan approach to civic and governance engagement.
GEM also announced the establishment of a committee to implement its Statewide Widows and Select Students Support Programme, to be chaired by the State Chapter’s Vice Chairperson, Hon. Olufunmilola Oki (JP), with the programme scheduled to commence in November 2026 across the 193 wards.
The initiative will provide targeted support to vulnerable widows through nutrition, basic eye health services, mobility assistance and livelihood empowerment, while selected students will receive educational support based on transparent eligibility criteria. The programme has an initial target of reaching at least 2,000 widows by the first quarter review of 2027.
With the statewide induction completed, GEM said its focus would now shift to strengthening its ward network, expanding its Community Development Advocates and implementing community support initiatives, with the broader objective of placing citizens and communities at the centre of democratic participation, accountability and sustainable development.
The Golden Era Movement (GEM) has concluded its statewide induction of Ward Coordinators across the 193 wards of Kwara State, climaxing with the inauguration of 83 coordinators from Irepodun, Ekiti, Isin, Oke-Ero, Offa, Ifelodun and Oyun at a grand finale in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area. The exercise also launched GEM’s Ward-Based Register for Community Development Advocates, with the movement targeting 100,000 citizens across the state to deepen grassroots participation and responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
GEM National Convener, Dr. Seyi Adigun, said Nigeria’s development requires an organised, informed and responsible citizenry, urging the coordinators to regard their wards as their “first constituency of citizenship.” He said GEM would encourage citizens to engage governance issues, interrogate political promises and demand measurable results, while calling for the 2027 electoral season to move beyond rallies and slogans to serious conversations on the economy, education, youth opportunities, security, healthcare and rural development.
Delivering the first keynote address on “Community Participation: Foundation for Sustainable Development in an Emerging Democracy,” Chief (Barr.) Olusegun Olawoyin urged the coordinators to transform grassroots participation from election day activity into sustained community engagement.
The second keynote speaker, Dr. Joseph Adekunle Bamidele, a Senior Lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), stressed that democracy must extend beyond voting to continuous citizen participation, arguing that development is more sustainable when communities help identify their needs, set priorities, develop solutions and monitor implementation.
The father of the occasion, Major General Yemi Abidoye (Rtd.), commended the initiative behind the establishment of GEM, which focuses on reawakening citizens to their roles in democracy and community development. He described the initiative as a laudable one.
The Chairman of GEM, Kwara State Chapter, Alhaji Abiodun Salaudeen, charged the newly inducted coordinators to treat their positions as a responsibility to their communities and uphold integrity, unity and service.
The event attracted prominent stakeholders, including SDP gubernatorial candidate Dr. Ridwan Apaokagi and his running mate, other SDP candidates, a representative of PDP Kwara South senatorial candidate Prince Saheed Popoola, Chief Kayode Olaoye, Hon. Damilare Tajudeen Gudugba, Engr. Muhideen Shittu, Prince Adesoye Nurudeen and Comrade Lateef Adelani Oladipo, among others, reflecting GEM’s stated non partisan approach to civic and governance engagement.
GEM also announced the establishment of a committee to implement its Statewide Widows and Select Students Support Programme, to be chaired by the State Chapter’s Vice Chairperson, Hon. Olufunmilola Oki (JP), with the programme scheduled to commence in November 2026 across the 193 wards.
The initiative will provide targeted support to vulnerable widows through nutrition, basic eye health services, mobility assistance and livelihood empowerment, while selected students will receive educational support based on transparent eligibility criteria. The programme has an initial target of reaching at least 2,000 widows by the first quarter review of 2027.
With the statewide induction completed, GEM said its focus would now shift to strengthening its ward network, expanding its Community Development Advocates and implementing community support initiatives, with the broader objective of placing citizens and communities at the centre of democratic participation, accountability and sustainable development.