The Abete Community Youths, a youth-driven initiative in Mile 2 Estate, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, have reaffirmed their commitment to community development with the organisation of their second annual medical outreach.
The initiative brings together young people who grew up in the community and seeks to improve residents’ welfare through healthcare interventions, environmental sanitation, educational support and campaigns against social vices.
Speaking during the outreach, the group’s president, Adepoju Samuel, said the initiative was established to encourage young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of their community.
Samuel explained that the medical outreach began in 2025, with the latest edition marking the second consecutive year the group has provided support to residents.
He noted that Mile 2 Estate comprises several sections, including the estate extension and Zones A, B, D, E and F, making it important for the organisers to reach residents across the wider community.
According to him, the initiative has attracted sponsors who embraced its vision after reviewing the previous edition and following the group’s activities on social media.
He said the organisers approached potential partners with proposals, leading some companies to support the programme as part of their commitment to community development and business visibility. The initiative also received support from the community’s councillor and members of the National Assembly.
Beyond healthcare, the Abete Community Youths have undertaken several projects aimed at improving residents’ welfare.
Samuel disclosed that the group organised an Abete Back to School programme in January, during which schoolbags and writing materials were distributed to pupils.
The youths have also participated in environmental sanitation exercises, including clearing gutters and cleaning their surroundings.
He explained that these activities were intended to demonstrate that young people could serve as positive agents of change rather than be associated only with negative social narratives.
The group also uses its programmes to discourage cultism, drug abuse and other social vices among young people.
The group’s Head of Media, Damilare Ayeni, said the media team played an important role in promoting the organisation’s activities and ensuring its achievements reached a wider audience.
He explained that the team uses digital platforms to disseminate accurate information, strengthen the group’s identity and showcase positive developments within Mile 2 Estate.
According to Ayeni, effective media coverage is essential to ensuring that the youths’ efforts gain recognition beyond their immediate surroundings.
He added that the initiative had helped instil a sense of responsibility and belonging among young people, particularly those who previously spent their time engaging in unproductive activities.
Ayeni further noted that the group was helping to improve relationships between young people and older residents, some of whom had previously held negative perceptions of youths in the community.
He said the organisation was determined to demonstrate that young people could be responsible, productive and committed to the common good.
On plans to expand youth engagement, Ayeni disclosed that the group was working towards introducing seminars and other programmes to educate young people about productive opportunities and help them avoid alcoholism, drug abuse and other social problems.
However, he noted that the development and implementation of these programmes would depend partly on partnerships with individuals and organisations willing to support the initiative.
Despite its achievements, funding remains a major challenge to expanding the group’s activities.
Samuel appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians for financial assistance, explaining that the group relies largely on crowdfunding, contributions from community members living abroad and support from public officeholders to implement its projects.
He maintained that the youths had several additional initiatives they hoped to introduce as more resources became available.
The Abete Community Youths reiterated their commitment to sustaining their community-focused programmes and encouraging more young people to participate in building a safer, healthier and more progressive Mile 2 Estate.
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