2026 International Youth Week: NYCN Ogbomoso calls on govt, traditional rulers to promote youth leadership

2026 International Youth Week: NYCN Ogbomoso calls on govt, traditional rulers to promote youth leadership

As the 2026 International Youth Day gets underway the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ogbomoso chapter has called on government and traditional rulers to involve youths in leadership to prepare them for the future

Yinka ADETUNJI

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The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ogbomoso zone has called on youths to be responsible in their disposition so they could be considered for leadership participation and positions.

It thus calls on governments at different levels, traditional rulers and organizations to expose youths to leadership complexities early in life positing this will make them be good leaders in the future when leadership devolves on them.

This message is contained in a press statement by the Ogbomoso zonal chapter of the organization signed by its secretary, Comrade Alaba Marvelous O, in commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Week. The Ogbomoso zonal chapter will begin its activities today, Wednesday, with media parleys at selected media houses in Ogbomoso including The Insight/ogbomosoinsighonline.com.

“The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogbomoso Zonal Chapter, warmly joins young people and youth-focused organisations across Nigeria and the world in commemorating the 2026 International Youth Week,” it says.

Dwelling on the year’s theme, “Different contexts, common aspirations,” it notes, “it is a powerful reminder that although young people come from different backgrounds, communities, professions, cultures and circumstances, we share common aspirations for peace, security, quality education, decent employment, economic empowerment, good governance, inclusion and a prosperous future. As young people in Ogbomoso and Nigeria at large, we recognise that our diversity is a strength.”

It charges that their differences in experiences and perspectives should not be allowed to become sources of division; “rather, they should serve as a foundation for collaboration, innovation, mutual understanding and collective development.”

It emphasizes its belief in meaningful participation of youths to develop the society maintaining that young people aside being leaders of tomorrow are to be recognized as partners and active stakeholders in the development of today.

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“We therefore call on government at all levels, traditional institutions, private organisations, civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to continue to create platforms that promote youth participation in governance, entrepreneurship, skills development, education, leadership, technology, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

“We equally encourage young people to embrace responsibility and become active contributors to the development of their communities.”

NYCN urges youths to eschew “violence, intolerance, substance abuse, criminality and every form of social vice that threatens our collective future. Instead, we must promote peace, unity, hard work, integrity, innovation, volunteerism and responsible citizenship.”

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It challenges them to look beyond their differences and identify the common goals that unite them asserting, “Whether we are students, entrepreneurs, professionals, artisans, farmers, civil servants or community volunteers, we all have a role to play in building a better Ogbomoso and a better Nigeria.”

It further affirms, “The NYCN Ogbomoso Zonal Chapter remains committed to providing a credible platform for youth mobilisation, advocacy, leadership development, empowerment, capacity building and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders,” calling on Ogbomoso youths “to remain united, purposeful, innovative and committed to the progress of our communities.”

“Our backgrounds may be different, our experiences may differ and our paths may not be the same, but our aspirations remain common. Together, we can transform our differences into strength and our aspirations into reality.”

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Ogbomoso does not need a representative who disappears after elections; it needs a voice that speaks for us, a leader who builds, a servant who listens. Kunle Adegbite is that man. Ogbomoso deserves better, and we can not afford to waste another four years.