By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State Chapter, on Thursday flagged off the 2026 International Youth Week celebration with a call on governments, development partners and other stakeholders to invest more in youth empowerment as a pathway to sustainable development and national progress.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony held at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, the Chairman of NYCN in Ebonyi State, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, said this year's celebration, with the theme, "Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Future," underscores the need to equip young people with the education, skills and opportunities required to drive socio-economic development.
Ochishi described Nigeria's youthful population as a strategic national asset capable of transforming the country if adequately empowered through quality education, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, agriculture, sports and leadership development.
He said, "This year's theme challenges every stakeholder to move beyond promises to measurable actions that will secure a sustainable future for Nigerian youths. Youth empowerment is for those who have prepared themselves. We must prepare our minds, acquire relevant skills and position ourselves because opportunities can come at any time."
The NYCN chairman urged young people to embrace self-development, innovation and responsible leadership, stressing that discipline and preparedness remained essential for personal and national advancement.
He also announced a week-long programme featuring anti-social vices sensitisation campaigns, radio engagements, a good governance road walk, leadership lectures, civic education, project tours and youth mobilisation activities aimed at promoting responsible citizenship.
Ochishi commended the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for prioritising youth development through investments in education, entrepreneurship, sports, skills acquisition, healthcare and youth inclusion in governance.
According to him, the governor's People's Charter of Needs Agenda has continued to create opportunities for young people across the state.
He also appreciated Nkwegu Medical Specialist Hospital for partnering with the council to provide free medical screening and treatment for participants as part of activities marking the commencement of the celebration.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Chidi Onyia, who represented Governor Francis Nwifuru, said the present administration had demonstrated unprecedented commitment to youth development through strategic appointments, scholarship programmes and empowerment initiatives.
He noted that young people now occupy a significant percentage of political appointments in the state and challenged beneficiaries of government programmes to justify the confidence reposed in them.
"We are no longer leaders of tomorrow; we are already leading today. The Governor has invested heavily in youth development, but the challenge is for us to justify that confidence through hard work, responsibility and effective service," Onyia said.
He urged youths to shun violence, crime and other social vices while supporting policies that promote peace and development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and commander of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Ebonyi State Command, Commander Larry Igwe, commended the NYCN leadership for revitalising youth activities in the state.
He said the council had recorded significant progress under Ochishi's leadership and urged youths to sustain their support for programmes that promote development and responsible leadership.
Earlier, the Chaplain of the Ebonyi State Government House, Rev. Fr. Jude Agama, before declaring the event open with prayers, encouraged young people to begin taking leadership responsibilities immediately rather than waiting for the future.
"We have always been told that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. We pray that it will no longer be tomorrow but today. Nigeria needs more young people to rise and take responsibility," the cleric said.
Delivering a lecture on gender-based violence, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender-Based Violence, Barr. Mary-Ann Nkwegu, called on parents and communities to intentionally raise boys with values of respect, empathy and accountability.
"Every girl we seek to protect today will one day meet someone's son. If violence can be learned, respect can also be learned. The greatest investment we can make in protecting girls is raising boys who understand that strength is not violence, leadership is not intimidation and love is never abuse," she said.
On health awareness, the Chief Executive Officer of Nkwegu Medical Specialist Hospital, Dr. Ogechi Nkwegu, warned that hypertension was increasingly affecting young people and urged participants to take advantage of the free medical screening offered during the event.
She described hypertension as a "silent killer" because many sufferers show no symptoms until serious complications such as stroke, kidney failure or heart disease develop.
"Many young people believe hypertension is only a disease of old age, but that is no longer the reality. Check your blood pressure regularly, maintain healthy lifestyles and seek medical attention early because prevention is always better than cure," she advised.
The 2026 International Youth Week celebration will continue with public enlightenment campaigns, civic engagement programmes, leadership lectures, a solidarity road walk and other activities designed to promote youth participation in governance, healthy living and sustainable development across Ebonyi State.
