…Declares exercise free, targets inactive members, identifies vacancies
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State chapter, has inaugurated a committee to revalidate its local government and ward executives across the state as part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots structures, promote accountability and improve organisational effectiveness.
The exercise, which commenced on Wednesday at the council’s state secretariat, Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, is scheduled to run from October 9 to 30, 2026.
Inaugurating the committee, the State Chairman of NYCN, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, said the exercise was aimed at authenticating the membership and leadership status of the council’s grassroots executives, identifying vacant positions and ensuring that its structures remained functional and constitutionally compliant.
Ochishi, who described the exercise as transparent and non-punitive, said it was not intended to witch-hunt any member but to determine those who remained active and committed to the council’s objectives.
He said the committee would revalidate local government and ward executives, identify vacancies arising from the exercise and make appropriate recommendations to the State Executive Council on replacements and possible elections where necessary.
The chairman added that the committee was also expected to orientate revalidated executives on the NYCN Constitution, code of conduct and operational guidelines to ensure uniformity and discipline across the organisation.
According to him, the exercise would provide the council with reliable information on its grassroots leadership and enable it to distinguish active executives from those who were no longer participating effectively in its activities.
He urged members of the committee to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, fairness and transparency, stressing that their recommendations must reflect the best interests of the council.
The committee is chaired by Comrade Stanley Uzor, while Comrade Onuoha Nwakpu serves as secretary. Comrade Ikechukwu Ali was appointed public relations officer, alongside other members.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Uzor thanked Ochishi and the state executive for the confidence reposed in the team, pledging to conduct the exercise diligently and in accordance with its mandate.
He explained that the revalidation would also help the council establish accurate information on youth representation, including the number of male and female youths across the state's local government areas.
Uzor said the committee would work to ensure that the exercise achieved its objectives without victimising any member.
He added that strengthening the council's grassroots structures would improve its capacity to mobilise young people for civic engagement and democratic participation.
In his remarks, the committee's secretary, Nwakpu, declared that the exercise would be conducted free of charge, warning against any impression that local government coordinators or ward executives would be required to pay for revalidation.
"The exercise is free. We are not going to collect a dime from the coordinators or the ward councillors. They should be free to come and do the exercise," he said.
Nwakpu disclosed that a timetable had been drawn up to guide the exercise across designated zones, adding that the committee was ready to commence work without delay.
Also speaking, the committee's Public Relations Officer, Ali, said the exercise would provide an opportunity to identify committed executives and open up leadership positions to other youths willing to contribute to the council's development.
He expressed concern that some positions had remained unoccupied while some existing office holders had allegedly failed to demonstrate the level of commitment expected of them.
Ali said the committee would assess the status of the various offices and make recommendations based on its findings.
Meanwhile, the NYCN coordinator for Abakaliki Local Government Area, Mr Tochukwu Nwalegu, expressed satisfaction with the exercise, describing the process as appropriate and necessary for strengthening the council.
Nwalegu said he attended the revalidation in response to a directive from the state secretariat and urged other local government and ward executives to participate in the exercise.
He called on the state leadership to sustain inclusive engagement with local government and ward structures, noting that cooperation across all levels would strengthen the council.
Nwalegu commended Ochishi's leadership, describing him as active and committed, but advised the state executive to ensure that local government and ward executives were adequately carried along in its activities.
He maintained that effective collaboration between the state leadership and grassroots structures was essential to achieving the council's objectives.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the State Executive Council by October 30, 2026
