By: Hassan Rafiu Olayemi
In a strong show of solidarity, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter, in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS Osun JCC) and the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP Osun State Caucus), convened a joint press conference on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, at the Correspondents’ Chapel, Olaiya, Osogbo. The event, attended by representatives youth and student organizations across the state, reaffirmed the coalition’s unwavering support for the administration of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke.
During the session, the Chairman of NYCN Osun, Comrade Akinbode Olakolupo Oluwasegun, emphasized the statutory recognition of NYCN as the apex umbrella body for youth in Nigeria, established by an Act of Parliament in 1964 and serving as the primary coordinating institution for youth organizations in the state. He further lent strong support to the ongoing National Youth Confab 2025 initiative spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, which is designed to give Nigerian youths a voice in national policymaking. It was reiterated that only NYCN, NANS, and NYP are officially mandated to nominate participants for the confab, with due emphasis on equitable gender representation and grassroots consultation.
The youth leadership used the platform to condemn an unauthorized protest staged at the Osun State Secretariat on June 24, describing it as the action of a non-recognized, politically driven group with no legal standing in the youth framework. Comrade Akinbode described the protest as an attempt to mislead the public and sabotage the efforts of Governor Adeleke, who has demonstrated exemplary youth-focused governance. He clarified that NYCN and its affiliates had no involvement in the protest and maintained that proper youth advocacy must be carried out through legitimate, structured platforms.
In a united voice, the coalition called on all youth organizations in Osun State to register with the State Ministry of Youth Affairs and affiliate with NYCN before organizing any form of public demonstration or engagement. They further appealed to security agencies to maintain vigilance in preventing such unlawful assemblies, while urging the general public to seek verified sources of information. The youth leaders emphasized their continued commitment to peaceful advocacy, development-focused engagement, and strategic collaboration with the state government.
As a resolution, the youth coalition passed a formal Vote of Confidence on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting youth inclusion through the National Youth Confab, on Governor Ademola Adeleke for creating a youth-friendly administration, and on the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Moshood Olagunju, for his dedication to youth development. The youth leaders reaffirmed their resolve to support good governance and urged all stakeholders to work together toward sustaining peace and progress in Osun State.