The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State chapter, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for what he described as their commitment to youth empowerment, human capital development and economic advancement.
Ochishi made the commendation in a goodwill message issued on Thursday in Abakaliki to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State.
He congratulated the President, the Federal Government and Nigerians, as well as Governor Nwifuru, the Ebonyi State Government and the people of the state, saying the twin anniversaries provided an opportunity to reflect on the country’s journey and the progress recorded by Ebonyi over three decades.
The NYCN chairman particularly acknowledged initiatives in skills acquisition, education, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, agriculture and employment, saying sustained investment in young people remained critical to Nigeria’s development.
According to him, “The future of Nigeria depends largely on how effectively we harness the energy, creativity and talents of our young people.”
Ochishi said Nigeria’s youthful population should be strategically positioned as an engine of innovation, productivity and economic prosperity, while Ebonyi should continue to equip its young people with the skills and opportunities required to become active participants in sustainable development.
His position comes against the backdrop of recent emphasis by the Ebonyi State Government on skills acquisition, education, entrepreneurship and youth participation in development. Governor Nwifuru, speaking during the 2026 International Youth Week, urged young people to prepare themselves for emerging opportunities through education, discipline, innovation, entrepreneurship and hard work.
Ochishi, however, urged Nigerian youths to complement government interventions with responsible citizenship, diligence and enterprise.
He called on young people to embrace peace, hard work, education, technology and productive enterprise, while rejecting violence, drug abuse and other activities capable of undermining their future.
“At 66, Nigeria must transform her youthful population into an engine of innovation and prosperity; at 30, Ebonyi must continue to position her youths as active partners and beneficiaries of sustainable development,” he said.
The NYCN chairman further reaffirmed the council’s readiness to collaborate constructively with governments, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders towards building a skilled, productive, responsible and empowered youth population.
He said such collaboration was necessary to deepen opportunities for young Nigerians and strengthen their contribution to economic growth and nation-building.
Ochishi also urged youths to view the Independence anniversary as a call to greater patriotism and civic responsibility, stressing that the task of building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria required collective commitment.
The Federal Government, in its 2026 Independence Day preparations, similarly emphasised national unity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect as important values for citizens.
The NYCN chairman wished Nigerians and Ebonyians continued peace, prosperity and sustainable development, urging young people to remain hopeful and committed to building a better future.
“Happy Independence Anniversary, Nigeria; happy 30th anniversary, Ebonyi State,” he added.
