* Honours Ogun SSG, CDHR President, YPM convener, pioneer NYCN Chairman, past Chairmen, OGTV reporter, others
Micky Ade, Abeokuta
The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Ogun State chapter has celebrated the International Youth Day in grand style.
The celebration which took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto , Abeokuta, the State capital witnessed inauguration of 2,360 ward executives of the council.
The theme of the celebration is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”.
The Governor, Dapo Abiodun who is the special guest and Chief host while speaking, charged youths in the state to take responsibility for peace and order as the 2027 election cycle approaches, saying dialogue remains more productive than disruption.
Abiodun represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Tokunbo Talabi, commended the current state leadership of the NYCN, for demonstrating maturity and rare leadership qualities, expressing confidence that youths would take charge and avoid political bigotry during the elections.
The SSG noted that youths are often targeted and made impressionable during election periods, stressing that the government was therefore incorporating them into efforts to maintain law and order to prevent violence.
“Like they say, build the youth, build the nation. All that we are trying to do is to build the youth. To make sure that we give them, we show them good examples that they can follow.
“We don’t want any political bigotry coming from the youth. And that is why we are making sure that we are incorporating them with the responsibility of maintaining law and order during the election,” Talabi stated.
He expressed confidence that the level of maturity displayed by Ogun youths would ensure peaceful elections, adding that the administration has recorded more success through dialogue than confrontation.
“This administration has achieved more with dialogue than disruption. And that’s what we are preaching to everybody. That with dialogue, we get more done. Because even when you disrupt, you still have to come to the table to negotiate for peace to come. So why don’t you start with the negotiation and the discussion?” he asked.
Talabi said the state government is celebrating with youths on their day and remains open to ideas that will enhance youth growth, urging them to bring forward proposals, assuring that the government is committed to supporting initiatives that build the capacity of young people in the state.
Also, the State Head of Service, Olanrewaju Saka, asserted that despite the differences and background young people share common aspirations for a better future, urging the newly inaugurated ward executives to embrace the responsibility with integrity, inclusiveness and a scale commitment to service.
The SSG, Talabi was also honoured with award of excellence.
In his address, the NYCN state chairman, Akolawole Shoremi, commended the Abiodun-led administration for approving the state’s first-ever Youth Policy Document and for supporting the inauguration of 2,360 ward executives of the NYCN, which he described as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Shoremi charged Ogun youths not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs, urging them to get their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, participate in voter education, and be part of the electoral process.
“We should not become tools in the hands of politicians. It is the right orientation, it is the right education that we should give to our young people. Ensure that you have your voter’s card and be part of the electoral process,” he said.
Meanwhile, the pioneer state chairman of NYCN, Pa Simeon Ogundipe, urged the state government to emulate the western world by creating more jobs and empowerment for the youth.
Some of the awardees are National President of Committee for Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Comrade Yinka Folarin, Yayi Progressives Movement, YPM convener, Akintunde Armstrong, past Chairmen of NYCN, OGTV reporter, Margaret Okunlola, among others.
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