The Nigerian YouthCongress (NYC) has inaugurated its new leadership in Osun State alongside newly appointed local government coordinators, reaffirming its commitment to youth development, grassroots mobilisation and peaceful participation in the electoral process.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Saturday at the Conference Hall of Osogbo Grammar School, brought together youth leaders, stakeholders and representatives of the council from across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NYC, Osun State Chapter, Lion Olayemi Olaribigbe, said the new leadership would focus on strengthening the council’s presence across all local government areas to ensure effective youth engagement.
According to him, the council’s major priorities include expanding access to education in rural communities, equipping young people with digital and internet skills for self-employment, promoting health awareness and intensifying campaigns against drug abuse.
He noted that grassroots mobilisation remained critical to achieving the council’s objectives, saying local government coordinators would serve as a bridge between the state leadership and youths at the community level.
Olaribigbe, however, identified inadequate funding as one of the greatest challenges facing the council.
“We have continued to do the little we can with the resources available to us because we do not want the council to become inactive. Funding remains our biggest challenge, but we are determined to move forward and achieve our goals,” he said.
The Osun chairman also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of violence during the forthcoming elections.
“No political office is worth your life. Do not allow yourselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence. Focus on your future, strive for excellence and contribute positively to society,” he advised.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NYC in Ekiti State and South-West Chairman of the council, Aare Temitope Adedara, who inaugurated the Osun State executive and local government coordinators, stressed the importance of strengthening grassroots leadership to promote youth participation in governance.
“For us to function effectively, we must have people mobilising youths at the grassroots. The local government coordinators will complement the work of the state executive, drive community engagement and ensure our programmes reach every part of the state,” Adedara said.
Also speaking, a representative of the Osun State Ministry of Youth Affairs, Mr Fatai Bakare, said one of the ministry’s responsibilities is to provide guidance for youth organisations operating under it, including the Nigerian Youth Congress
“The ministry will continue to collaborate with the NYC in implementing quality programmes that will enhance youth development across Osun State,” Bakare said.
Some of the newly inaugurated coordinators also pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by promoting unity and youth empowerment in their respective local government areas.
The Coordinator for Boripe Local Government, Comrade Oyetunji Hammed Ayomide, said his priority would be to unite youths in the council area and discourage acts of hooliganism.
“My responsibility is to ensure that the youths of Boripe remain united and become useful to society rather than engage in hooliganism. I also urge my fellow coordinators to work in unity, listen to the people and lead with humility,” he said.
Similarly, the Ife North Coordinator, Comrade Akinremi Matthew Akinniyi, pledged to promote youth inclusion in governance.
“I will work towards greater inclusion of young people in governance through programmes that will enhance youth development and leadership,” Akinniyi said.
Also, the Director of Mobilisation, Comrade Adelebu Aliu Abdulfatai, promised to work closely with the state leadership to strengthen the council.
“Our goal is to work with the state chairman to move the Nigerian Youth Congress forward, enlighten young people about the council’s vision and encourage them to become responsible and productive members of society,” Abdulfatai said.
The event concluded with the formal inauguration of the Osun State executive and local government coordinators, marking what participants described as a renewed commitment to grassroots youth mobilisation, leadership development and peaceful civic engagement across the state.
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