NYC: Edeoga Enugu Youths to Mobilise for Peace, Skills, Good Governance,Eschew Cultism, Ahead of 2027
By Wilfred Chukwuma
The Chairman of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Wilfred Edeoga, has charged members of the newly constituted State Executive Council and Local Government Coordinators of the Congress to embrace integrity, discipline, unity and service as they take up the responsibility of providing purposeful leadership to the youth constituency in the state.
Edeoga gave the charge during the formal presentation of appointment letters to members of the NYC State Executive Council, while also addressing the Local Government leadership of the Congress across the state.
Addressing the gathering, which comprised members of the State Council, appointed state executive nominees, leaders of affiliate organisations, stakeholders and journalists, Edeoga described the occasion as a defining moment in the history of youth leadership in Enugu State.
He said the appointment was not merely about occupying positions, but a call to duty and a covenant of service to the youths of the state.
According to him, the Nigerian Youth Congress is an umbrella platform established to coordinate the voice, energy and aspirations of Nigerian youths, stressing that its leadership in Enugu State must justify the confidence reposed in it by building a credible and effective youth structure across the 17 local government areas and 260 wards of the state.
Edeoga said the Congress had five mandatory areas of focus which, according to him, must guide the activities of all its structures throughout the tenure.
He listed the areas as youth mobilisation and political education; skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and digital innovation; peace building, security advocacy and the fight against social vices; government partnership and policy engagement; and welfare, education and leadership development.
On youth mobilisation and political education, the NYC chairman directed the leadership to establish a credible database of youths across the wards and sustain programmes aimed at political education, voter education and civic orientation.
He said the Congress would promote peaceful and issue-based youth participation in the democratic process, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Edeoga further charged the state and local government structures to prioritise skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and digital innovation, saying the initiative would enable young people to move beyond seeking jobs to becoming creators of opportunities.
He urged the leadership to key into the vision of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for a digital and industrialised state, while seeking partnerships with relevant agencies and development institutions to train youths in information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, digital fabrication, agriculture, trades and vocational skills.
He expressed the ambition of having at least one NYC skills hub in every local government area within the year.
The NYC chairman also placed strong emphasis on peace building and the campaign against social vices, warning that youth development could not thrive in an environment characterised by violence, cultism, drug abuse and internet fraud.
He directed every Local Government Coordinator to establish an NYC Peace and Anti-Drug Committee in his or her area and work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders and security agencies to promote peaceful communities.
On government partnership and policy engagement, Edeoga stressed that the NYC should function as a development partner and not as an opposition platform.
He said the Congress would serve as a bridge between government and the youth population by engaging ministries, local governments and development partners to ensure that youth interests were reflected in government policies, budgets and programmes.
He also tasked the leadership with gathering feedback from the grassroots and communicating such concerns to relevant authorities for appropriate policy responses.
Edeoga identified welfare, education and leadership development as another critical component of the Congress’ agenda.
He said the organisation would seek to identify indigent but brilliant students for scholarships and other forms of support, while also organising leadership boot camps, mentorship programmes and capacity-building initiatives for young leaders.
He equally advocated increased youth representation in appointments and decision-making processes at various levels of government.
Turning specifically to the newly appointed State Executive Council members and Local Government Coordinators, Edeoga reminded them that their positions carried significant responsibilities.
He charged them to provide leadership with integrity, unite youth organisations under a common platform and coordinate the activities of LGA and ward structures in accordance with the five-point agenda of the Congress.
He also directed them to submit periodic reports on their activities and ensure that the NYC remains an effective interface between government and the youth constituency.
The chairman said the leadership would identify and recommend deserving youths for empowerment opportunities, lead campaigns for peaceful conduct and support policies and programmes capable of improving the welfare and prospects of young people in Enugu State.
He urged the appointees to support the development initiatives of the state government, particularly those targeted at creating opportunities for young people.
“The appointment is far beyond a title. This appointment is a covenant of service,” Edeoga declared, urging the new leaders to remain focused, disciplined and committed to the mandate.
He said the Congress was not being established to create problems for government or society, but to provide solutions and ensure that young people were active participants in the development of the state.
“We are not here to create problems. We are here to create solutions. The government is building a new Enugu. Our responsibility is to ensure that the youths are at the centre of it,” he said.
Edeoga acknowledged that the assignment would be demanding and that the appointees would be tested in the course of their duties, but urged them to uphold unity, respect the organisational structure and demonstrate commitment to duty.
He charged the newly appointed officials to see themselves as public trustees of the youth constituency, describing them as “ambassadors of hope,” “drivers of change” and “the voice of the voiceless.”
He concluded with a call on the appointees to serve with honour, mobilise with passion and represent the Congress with excellence, declaring that the future belonged to organised, committed and purposeful young people.
“The future is digital. The future is Enugu. And with God on our side, the future belongs to the organised and committed youth,” Edeoga said.
The NYC Enugu state chapter has a female, Barr Nkeiru Idu as Deputy Chairman, Barr Princewill Agu- Secretary, while Cosmos Blessed-Ugwu serves as Director, Planning, Programme and Policies. The Zonal Chairmen are; Ike Ezeugwu-North, Hon. Obinna Kenneth-East and Hon.Amobi Eneani for Enugu West Zone.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
