Comrade Shakirudeen Bankole Adeshina has officially stepped into the role of president of the Alimosho Youth Development Association of Nigeria (AYDAN), which marks a new chapter for the grassroots organization.
Founded more than ten years ago, AYDAN has established itself as a key player in Alimosho, promoting good governance, public accountability, and social development across the region. The organization’s influence spans the vast Alimosho Local Government Area, to over six million people, where it continues to advocate for political transparency and civic engagement.

Bankole, the newly elected president, is a seasoned journalist, communications strategist, and development advocate, and will officially began his tenure in January 2025 after winning a highly competitive election in 2024.
Bankole succeeds Comrade Abdullateef Ogungbade, who founded AYDAN and served as its first president.
Ogungbade, now shifting focus to partisan politics, handed over the reins to Bankole, whose leadership is expected to propel the organization into a new era of advocacy and community development.
Alongside Bankole, several other key figures were elected to positions within the executive.
Comrade Ola-Lawal Mubarak, an editor at Opomulero Online News, has been appointed Secretary, while an entrepreneur, Comrade Jokosanya Oluwatosin Faizat will serve as Treasurer. Comrade Israel Olajide, a tax practitioner, takes the role of Auditor, and Comrade Kafayat Gbadamosi, another entrepreneur, will lead as Welfare Director. The team is rounded out by Comrade Oketokun Adetoye, a political mobilizer and activist, who will serve as the Public Relations Officer.
Bankole’s election victory followed a competitive race against Comrade Lukman Obadina, a prominent politician from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite strong opposition, Bankole emerged victorious, securing the majority of votes and fulfilling all necessary qualifications to take the helm of AYDAN.
Reflecting on Bankole’s long-standing involvement with AYDAN, Comrade Ogungbade remarked, “Comrade Adeshina has been with us through many important moments. I remember his role in advocating for constitutional processes in leadership selection. His media work was instrumental in pushing for a fair and credible election process, and we knew he was the right person to lead us forward.”
With a wealth of experience in media, human rights advocacy, and political strategy, Bankole brings a well-rounded skill set to the presidency.
He is also the founder and executive director of the Frontline Advocacy Initiative (FAI), a leading socio-political organization, and has held prominent roles in various civil society initiatives, including as the president of The Muslim Volunteers Foundation (TMVF).
Bankole’s degrees in Mass Communications from the Polytechnic Ibadan and Political Psychology from Lagos State University (LASU) have empowered him with the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges of grassroots leadership and political advocacy
In his inaugural statement as president, Bankole emphasized the importance of AYDAN’s return to the political scene.
“The return of AYDAN at this time is critical. Alimosho Local Government needs an impartial organization to hold the political elite accountable and continue advocating for democratic values. We must stand firm against the shrinking civic space,” he said.
With Bankole at the helm, AYDAN is poised to continue its mission of promoting transparency and civic engagement while tackling issues of governance, corruption, and social justice. His leadership promises to bring a renewed focus on accountability and active participation in shaping the region’s future.
The official inauguration of Bankole and his team will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2025. The event will bring together key stakeholders, marking the formal launch of the new executive team’s tenure and their commitment to reshaping the political landscape of Alimosho.
Under Bankole’s leadership, AYDAN is expected to remain a critical voice in Nigerian civil society, advocating for the rights of the people and challenging the status quo.