Kogi Govt, NYC Partner to Advance Youth Empowerment, Tackle Drug Abuse as New Executives Assume Office

Kogi State Government and the Nigerian Youth Congress inaugurate new executives, unveiling a five-point youth agenda and a joint campaign against drug abuse across the state.

LOKOJA — The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth-inclusive governance as the newly elected executives of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Kogi State Chapter, assumed office with a pledge to deepen youth empowerment, education, employment and leadership participation across the state.

The new State Executive Council and Local Government Area coordinators were inaugurated at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja, at a ceremony attended by government officials, traditional leaders, youth stakeholders and delegates from across the 21 Local Government Areas.

The event also marked the formal transition from the administration of the outgoing State Chairman, Dr. Alfa Ameh Ebune, to the new leadership headed by Comr. Oloruntoba Moses Juwon.

Representing Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Folashade Ayoada Arike, PhD, urged the new executives to demonstrate integrity, responsibility and good character in the discharge of their duties.

She conveyed the administration’s continued support for youth participation in governance, stressing the importance of positive conduct and purposeful leadership among young people.

The Chairman of the occasion, the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), represented by Hon. Taiwo Nathaniel, also emphasised the administration’s youth-oriented approach, noting that young people occupy several strategic positions within the state government.

He urged the new NYC leadership to take advantage of the opportunities available to young people and contribute meaningfully to the development of Kogi State.

A former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Salisu Ogwu, charged the incoming executives to begin work immediately, while appealing to former office holders to give the new leadership the opportunity to operate and deliver on its mandate.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Student Affairs, Amb. Oladele John Nihi, clarified that the NYC was not established to compete with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), but rather to provide another platform for youth development, advocacy and policy engagement.

New Leadership Unveils Five-Point Youth Agenda

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated State Chairman, Comr. Oloruntoba Moses Juwon, pledged to run an administration founded on unity, inclusion, empowerment, innovation and service.

He unveiled a five-point agenda centred on Empowerment, Employment, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Political and Leadership Participation, saying the programmes would be designed to address some of the major challenges confronting young people in the state.

Juwon also pledged to align the vision and activities of his administration with the development policies of Governor Ododo, while ensuring that youth voices are adequately represented in relevant policy discussions.

A major priority of the new administration, he disclosed, would be the campaign against drug abuse among Kogi youths.

According to him, the NYC would work with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Student Affairs to commence the anti-drug abuse programme, with Omala Local Government Area serving as the starting point.

The proposed campaign followed calls at the ceremony for stronger efforts to address substance abuse among young people. The Chairman of Omala Local Government Area had earlier urged the new NYC executives to make the fight against drug abuse a central component of their programmes.

Juwon said the initiative would form part of the Congress’s broader effort to protect young people, promote responsible citizenship and create an environment where youths can contribute positively to society.

Outgoing Leadership Highlights Achievements

In his valedictory remarks, the immediate past State Chairman, Dr. Alfa Ameh Ebune, reflected on the achievements of his administration, particularly its advocacy campaigns against youth vices and drug abuse across the 21 LGAs.

He expressed appreciation to national and state leaders, youth stakeholders and members of the Congress Planning Committee, led by Comr. Maximilian Tashlani, for their contributions during his tenure.

Presenting the Certificate of Return to the new State Chairman, Engr. Jethro Annum urged the new executives to justify the confidence placed in them and provide leadership that could serve as a model for youth organisations in other states.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to selected personalities in recognition of their contributions to youth development and society.

New NYC Executive Council

The newly inaugurated State Executive Council comprises:

• Comr. Oloruntoba Moses Juwon — State Chairman
• Zuleihat Oyiza Onimisi — Deputy State Chairman
• Arome Benjamin Ereh — Secretary General
• Oparison Godwin — Assistant Secretary
• Mamood A. Muhammed — Vice Chairman, Central
• Adamu Danjuma — Zonal Vice Chairman, West
• Abubakar Ahmed — Zonal Vice Chairman, East
• Yekini Habib Salawu — Organising Secretary, Central
• Alonge David Temitope — Organising Secretary, West
• Obochi Hamza Sani — Organising Secretary, East
• Mustapha Abdulazeez — Treasurer
• Comr. Ismaila Jibrin — Financial Secretary
• Samuel Abigail Roseline — Internal Auditor
• Olupinla Oyeniyi — Public Relations Officer
• Igunnugbemi T. Rapheal — Social Secretary
• Ahmed Iliyasu — Legal Adviser
• Abdulkareem M. Rahinat — Assistant Legal Adviser
• Ademu Abdulwahab — Coordinator, Persons with Disabilities.

Other appointments include directors responsible for gender and women’s mainstreaming, youth empowerment, programmes and welfare across the three senatorial districts.

The Congress also inaugurated coordinators for the Local Government Areas, including Lokoja, Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro, Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, Ibaji, Ofu, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Dekina, Bassa, Olamaboro, Ajaokuta, Kogi/Koton Karfe, Okene, Omala and Ankpa.

Elders Council Recognised

The ceremony also formally recognised the NYC Elders Council, comprising senior youth leaders and stakeholders including Comr. Alfa Ebune, Comr. Maximilian Tashlani, Comr. Abdullahi Elrufai, Comr. Bashir Umar, Comr. Deborah Zacheaus Ize, Rt. Hon. Solomon Ademola Isaac, Comr. Mohammed Aliyu Omeiza, Comrade Abuh Alilu, Dr. Omale Sunday, Comr. Ajinomoh Abiodun and Dr. Atabo Aruwa Julius.

The new leadership is expected to build on the existing structures while pursuing its five-point agenda and strengthening collaboration with government and other stakeholders.

With the immediate focus on youth empowerment and the planned statewide campaign against drug abuse, the inauguration has set the tone for an administration seeking to combine advocacy with practical programmes aimed at improving the welfare and prospects of young people in Kogi State.