Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called on parents and schools to move beyond routine academics and give children the space, tools and encouragement they need to develop their talents, saying the future of the state depends on how well young people are guided today.
He delivered the charge in Ado Ekiti during the 2025 KidsCon showcase, a fast-growing platform that gathers schoolchildren from across the state to test their skills in arts, innovation, sports and performance. His Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, stood in for him at the event.
Agboola told the children that the programme mirrors the state’s broader push for an inclusive system where every child feels seen and supported. She stressed that talent discovery is not a side activity, but a core investment that strengthens communities and prepares the next generation for a competitive world.
She encouraged the pupils to compete with fairness, curiosity and mutual respect, noting that KidsCon thrives because it rewards creativity and good character, not just technical ability. She praised the organisers for building what she described as a humane and forward-looking initiative that could soon attract interest beyond Ekiti.
Agboola asked parents to show up more for their children, to watch them perform, to guide their interests, and to create room for skills to grow. She urged school owners to run internal talent fairs so that children can try different paths early, adding that no skill is insignificant when nurtured with patience and opportunity.
She explained that the governor remains committed to child-centred policies, modern learning facilities and programmes that strengthen confidence and innovation among young people. According to her, every Ekiti child deserves an environment that helps them thrive.
This year’s edition drew pupils from public and private schools, including children with disabilities, competing across several categories. Divine Touch International School, Ado Ekiti, clinched the overall prize after a fiercely contested round that kept the audience cheering from start to finish.
