The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) celebrates its 60th anniversary on Saturday.
The event will take place in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state.
During the event, NYCN president Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo announced that President Bola Tinubu will receive the council’s highest accolade, Grand Patron of Nigerian Youths, for his “outstanding contributions to youth development”.
Past council leaders will be acknowledged for their various contributions.
The anniversary theme is ’60 Years of NYCN: Reflecting on the Past, Maximising the Present, and Shaping the Future’.
Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, will host the event, with Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, as the 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.”
SOURCE: TheCable