NYC Fires Up Grassroots Youth Leadership in Enugu, Unveils 17 LGA Coordinators
…Edeoga sets 2027 agenda, tasks new leaders on peace, empowerment, accountability
The Nigeria Youth Congress (NYC), Enugu State chapter, has inaugurated 17 Interim Local Government Coordinators as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots youth leadership and deepen young people’s participation in governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development, however, came with a strong charge from the organisation’s leadership for youths to reject militancy, political thuggery and other forms of violence capable of undermining the peace and stability of Enugu State.
The State Chairman of the NYC, Prince Wilfred Edeoga, spoke in Enugu on Friday during the inauguration, urging the newly appointed coordinators to build a responsible and development-oriented youth constituency across the state’s 17 local government areas.
He said the new structure was designed to bring youth development programmes closer to communities while creating an effective link between the state executive and young people at the grassroots.
“Today marks a significant step in our drive to strengthen grassroots youth leadership across the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State. This appointment is not just about giving titles. It is about entrusting responsibility, building structure and bringing youth development programmes closer to our young people at the community level,” Edeoga said.
He charged the coordinators to unite various youth groups, promote peace and discipline, and ensure that young people benefit from skills acquisition, empowerment and civic engagement opportunities.
But against the backdrop of the approaching 2027 elections, Edeoga warned that youths must not allow politicians or other interests to exploit their numerical strength for violent purposes.
“As we approach the 2027 elections, I urge our youths to reject militancy, political hooliganism and every form of violence. Do not allow yourselves to be used as agents of destruction,” he said.
He urged young people to channel their energy and intelligence into productive ventures and community development rather than activities capable of jeopardising their future.
According to him, the new coordinators must see their appointments as a call to service and not an opportunity for personal enrichment or political aggrandisement.
Edeoga said the coordinators would serve for five months, during which their performance would be assessed before confirmation.
“You are expected to unite the various youth groups, promote peace and discipline, implement our programmes and ensure that no young person in your LGA is left behind in skills acquisition, empowerment and civic engagement opportunities,” he said.
He directed the coordinators to submit monthly reports and participate actively in state programmes, stressing that visible impact at the grassroots would determine their confirmation.
Earlier, the State Secretary of the NYC, Princewill Agu, urged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them through discipline, loyalty, inclusiveness and commitment to grassroots mobilisation.
Agu said their responsibilities went beyond their individual youth organisations, charging them to build bridges among different youth groups and ensure that no section of the youth population was excluded from their programmes.
The three zonal chairmen – Hon. Obinna Kenneth of Enugu East, Hon. Amobi Eneani of Enugu West and Ike Ezeugwu of Enugu North, also counselled the coordinators on effective mobilisation, peaceful conflict resolution, regular communication, youth empowerment and respect for constituted authority.
They cautioned them against conduct capable of undermining the credibility of the Congress and urged them to operate with transparency and discipline.
The NYC leadership said the new grassroots structure would strengthen youth participation in governance and development while providing a platform for young people to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic advancement of Enugu State.
The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of appointment letters to the 17 Interim Local Government Coordinators.
The zonal chairmen are expected to inaugurate the remaining officers at the local government level, while the coordinators will subsequently oversee the constitution of ward-level leadership.
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
