YOUTHS TAKE CENTER STAGE AS NYCN, OJOKORO MARK 2025 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

YOUTHS TAKE CENTER STAGE AS NYCN, OJOKORO MARK 2025 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

The Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ojokoro Branch, have commemorated the 2025 International Youth Day with a Stakeholders’ Youth Symposium and Panel Session. The event, themed “Local Youth Action for SDGs and Beyond,” brought together youth leaders, policymakers, educators, community stakeholders, and representatives of security and government agencies for an engaging discussion on youth participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Representing the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. Oluyemisi Adenike Rosiji, the Council Manager, Mrs. Mojisola Akinola, reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive development. She noted that several young residents are currently undergoing training at the council’s ICT Centres to acquire vital digital skills, while another group will soon graduate from the LCDA’s Vocational Training Centre after completing months of intensive, hands-on learning. These initiatives, she said, are deliberate efforts by the Rosiji-led administration to promote innovation, self-reliance, and economic independence among young people.

Mrs. Akinola also highlighted Ojokoro LCDA’s ongoing partnership with Net Zero to promote environmental sustainability and polyethylene waste recycling - an initiative that aligns with global SDG targets and reinforces the council’s commitment to a greener, cleaner community. Hon. Rosiji urged youth organizations to take the lead in combating social vices such as drug abuse and moral decay, reminding them that “true leadership begins with responsibility, discipline, and integrity.”

The Executive Coordinator of NYCN, Ojokoro Branch, Comrade Sulaimon Azeez, described the International Youth Day celebration as a moment for reflection and action. He stressed that achieving the SDGs depends on the creativity, participation, and resilience of young people. Azeez commended the Executive Chairman, the Lagos State NYCN leadership, and various partners for their continuous support, while recalling the success of the Unity Health Walk held earlier in the week as part of the Youth Week activities. He encouraged youths to remain united and focused in their pursuit of social progress and community development.

The Deputy Coordinator and Chairman of the Symposium Planning Committee, Prince Adetayo Adeniran, reminded participants that “the future belongs to the youth — and that future is now.” He urged them to embrace their potential, take ownership of community initiatives, and play proactive roles in achieving the SDGs and beyond.

The highlight of the event was an engaging panel session moderated by Ms. Ruth, featuring experts and thought leaders across youth development, education, and environmental sustainability. Panelists included Comrade Jamiu Ademosu (Director-General, Lagos Youth Institute), Mr. Agbotan Oluwatobi (Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Yaba College of Technology), and Mr. Ashade Abdusalam (Executive Director, Green Janitor). Discussions during the session focused on practical strategies for strengthening youth involvement in community development and sustainability, emphasizing innovation, civic responsibility, and environmental consciousness. The experts urged youths to move beyond advocacy to real action, initiating projects that would create measurable social impact.

The symposium, attended by principal council officers, youth organizations, and community leaders, ended with a renewed call for collaboration among government, institutions, and young people. It reaffirmed that local youth action remains the driving force for global transformation and sustainable progress.