kakalistiq.com reports that Lagos State University, Ojo, came alive on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, as students, academic and youth leaders, and political aides gathered for the 4th edition of the Epe Legislative Conference, an annual event organized by the 25th Divisional Representative Council of Federation of Epe Division Students Association (FEDSA-LASU), led by its dynamic Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hafsoh Ogunbiyi.
This year’s conference, themed “Beyond the Gavel: Redefining Legislative Leadership,” struck a powerful chord with students as they reflected on the growing expectations of young Nigerians in shaping the future of governance.
Though unavoidably absent due to national duties, the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency, Rep. Wale Raji, delivered a heartfelt address through his Senior Legislative Aide on Youth Affairs and Media, Mr. Kaka Babatunde. His speech was a blend of inspiration, track record, and a bold challenge to future leaders.
Raji’s message centered on a new understanding of legislative leadership, one that moves beyond making laws to making real change. He praised the students for choosing a theme that interrogates the true meaning of political leadership, acknowledging that the youth are no longer passive observers but critical thinkers eager to see action beyond chamber debates.
“You are not just listening to political speeches,” he said. “You are watching what leaders are doing. You are beginning to ask: What happens after laws are made?”
Drawing from his background in both the public and private sectors, Raji explained how these experiences shaped his results-oriented leadership style. He emphasized that politics, for him, has always been about service, sincerity, and problem-solving.
He reeled out several developmental strides he has recorded across education, healthcare, infrastructure, economy, and youth empowerment under his legislative watch, initiatives that have transformed communities in Epe, Eredo, Ikosi-Ejinrin, and Lekki LCDAs.
In education alone, Raji revealed that nearly 160 classrooms have been constructed, alongside the establishment of new secondary schools and the transformation of Epe Grammar School into a modern model institution complete with hostels, a stadium, ICT labs, and solar-powered roads.
Health interventions also took center stage with the construction of primary healthcare centers and a landmark legislative upgrade of Epe General Hospital into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC), later housing a School of Nursing and soon, a federal medical campus for alternative medicine.
On infrastructure, he listed over a dozen roads built across his constituency, now lit with solar-powered streetlights, in addition to the reconstruction of major markets such as Ayetoro, Ito-Ikin, Mojoda, Mowowale and Pobo, giving grassroots traders renewed economic hope.
Youth and women empowerment were not left out. Raji spoke of training programs, vocational support, job placements, and silent philanthropy, including monthly stipends to the elderly under the “Owo Arugbo” scheme, ongoing for over four years.
Beyond his political office, he stressed that servant leadership must include compassion, discipline, and personal sacrifice. He encouraged students to pursue greatness through service, not shortcuts.
“Let your values guide your dreams,” Raji advised. “Be focused not just on getting a job, but on living a meaningful life. Nigeria needs more young people who will not just hold the gavel but go beyond the gavel.”
The conference ended on a high note with an award of honor bestowed on both the Lawmaker and his Aide in gratitude as the students were visibly inspired by Wale Raji’s practical achievements and his message of integrity, humility, and vision-driven politics.
For FEDSA-LASU, the conference marked another step in deepening youth engagement and redefining leadership in Epe Division and beyond.
See more photos from the event as shot by @oluwapromiseimagery:
