NYCN to honour Tinubu during 60th anniversary

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) will mark its 60th anniversary on Saturday.

The event is scheduled for Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, NYCN president, said President Bola Tinubu will be conferred with the council’s highest honour of Grand Patron of Nigerian Youths for his “outstanding contributions to youth development”, during the event.

Past leaders of the council will also be honoured for their various contributions.

The theme of the anniversary is: ‘60 Years of NYCN: Reflecting on the Past, Maximizing the Present, and Shaping the Future’.

The event will be hosted by Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, with Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, as special guest.

Muhammad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto; and Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; will co-chair the event.

Patrick Lumumba, Kenyan lawyer and activist, will deliver the keynote address, while Julius Malema, president of the Economic Freedom Fighters in South Africa, will deliver a speech on the ‘Perspective of youth leadership in Africa’.

The event will also feature youth empowerment and cultural exhibitions.

“As part of its commitment to empowering Nigerian youths, the NYCN has been at the forefront of several initiatives aimed at fostering youth engagement, participation, and leadership development,” the statement reads.

“Over the years, the Council has facilitated numerous programs, including youth entrepreneurship and skills development workshops, leadership training, and advocacy for policies that promote the welfare and future of Nigerian youth.

“These efforts have contributed to creating a generation of young Nigerians who are actively participating in nation-building and leadership.

“The NYCN has also played a pivotal role in promoting youth involvement in national governance, encouraging the youth to take an active part in the democratic process.

“It has advocated for youth inclusion in decision-making processes and worked to create platforms for young people to engage with leaders at all levels.

“In recognition of these efforts, the NYCN has become a trusted voice in the national discourse on youth and development.

“This grand anniversary celebration will bring together key stakeholders, including state governors, ministers, 36 state commissioners of youth, captains of industry, and youth leaders from across the country.

“The gathering will serve as an opportunity for reflection, recognition of past achievements, and renewed commitment to shaping the future of Nigerian youths.”