The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State Chapter, has unveiled a comprehensive empowerment and security initiative aimed at repositioning young people as catalysts for peace, productivity, and sustainable development in the state.
Speaking during an interaction with pressmen in Abakaliki, the State Chairman of NYCN, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, attributed the successes of the youth movement and its programs to the grace of God and the visionary leadership of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, whom he described as a builder of modern Ebonyi.
Ochishi recalled that the just-concluded 2025 International Youth Week in Ebonyi, which ran for seven days, provided a template for harnessing the potentials of young people.
The week, according to him, featured activities ranging from voter sensitization in rural areas, project monitoring, press conferences, road walks, and a public lecture on entrepreneurship and responsible use of social media, culminating in a grand dinner and awards night attended by over 5,000 participants.
“We have reached a turning point where youths in Ebonyi State are beginning to realize that politics is not the only industry.
"Through our programs, we are encouraging young people to embrace business, innovation, and hard work, while also contributing to governance and community development,” Ochishi said.
He disclosed that the Council will soon launch its Policy Blueprint on Youth Empowerment: A Panacea for Self-Reliance, which will feature monthly business seminars and mentorship sessions to equip youths with entrepreneurial skills, financial management strategies, and innovative thinking.
“It is not just about giving out money in the name of empowerment. There must be supervision, mentorship, and follow-up. We want to raise young men and women who can turn 500,000 Naira into millions through creativity, discipline, and accountability,” he explained.
On security, the youth leader reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to sustaining Ebonyi’s reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
He said the body has launched a grassroots campaign tagged “Say No to Social Vices: If You See Something, Say Something”, to strengthen community vigilance and discourage crime among young people.
Ochishi warned youths against indulging in cultism, drug abuse, and other anti-social behaviors, stressing that those who compromise peace and security would be treated according to the law.
“There is no future in crime. If you waste your youthful years in prison, you lose the chance to fulfill destiny.
"Instead, the NYCN will continue to connect genuine youths with opportunities, scholarships, and mentorship platforms to secure a better tomorrow,” he advised.
The youth chairman also expressed appreciation to stakeholders and patrons of the Council, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Prince Richard Idike, Works Commissioner Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam and other government officials who supported the success of the International Youth Week.
He assured that under his leadership, the NYCN will remain a unifying umbrella for Ebonyi youths, dedicated to empowerment, peacebuilding, and constructive engagement with government for the growth of the state and Nigeria at large.
