The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State chapter, has cautioned youths in the state against reckless spending and involvement in social vices during the yuletide season, urging them to remain security conscious and adopt positive lifestyles.
The Ebonyi State Chairman of NYCN, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, gave the warning on Christmas Day while addressing journalists.
He stressed that the festive period should not be seen as an avenue for wasteful celebration that could jeopardize the future of young people.
According to him, many youths exhaust their resources during Christmas with the assumption that the new year will automatically provide solutions, a mindset he described as dangerous and counterproductive.
“Some people see Christmas as a time to celebrate everything they have, forgetting that another year must come. Such reckless spending often leads to the collapse of businesses and financial hardship.
"I urge youths to be very careful with their spending and channel their resources into meaningful ventures,” Ochishi said.
On security, the NYCN chairman called on youths to act as partners in safeguarding their communities by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
“If you see something, say something. Youths should be vanguards of the security network in line with the peace and security policy of Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Ebonyi State Government,” he noted.
Ochishi also condemned drug abuse and other social vices among youths, recounting a recent incident in which a young man allegedly lost his life due to excessive drug intake.
“After parents spend huge resources training their children up to university level, it is heartbreaking to see them destroy their lives through drug abuse. Youths must stay away from negativity and social vices if we desire a better future,” he warned.
The NYCN chairman revealed that the council has intensified youth sensitization through seminars and radio programmes, and announced plans to organize major activities in the coming year, including a Business and Security Summit scheduled for the first quarter.
He explained that the summit would focus on reorienting youths towards productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, particularly beneficiaries of government empowerment programmes who still require mentorship and capacity building.
Ochishi disclosed that Ebonyi State has an estimated 1.2 million youths, describing them as energetic and vibrant individuals who must be properly guided to contribute meaningfully to societal development.
He further appealed to those aspiring to contest in the forthcoming local government elections to do so with genuine intentions to serve the people rather than for personal gain.
“Leadership is about service. Aspirants should present clear manifestoes and be prepared to drive development at the grassroots in line with the vision of the Ebonyi State Government,” he said.
Commending Governor Francis Nwifuru for sustaining peace and promoting inclusive governance, Ochishi called for increased youth and media empowerment in the 2026 budget, noting that responsible media practitioners play a crucial role in strengthening democracy and good governance.
He expressed optimism that with sustained commitment from the government, stakeholders, and the youths themselves, Ebonyi State would witness greater progress and stability in the coming year.
