…Feuding parties sue for peace, agree on election, inauguration timetable
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has brokered a peace deal for the resolution of the leadership crisis rocking the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Edo State Chapter.
The peace parley which was held Tuesday at the Government House, Benin City was attended by the feuding parties.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Governor said: “as a youth organization, you must first understand that your purpose is to render humanitarian and selfless service. We must not lose focus in achieving this purpose”.
“You must not politicize this purpose. Yes, there is the need to have a leadership that will coordinate all of us but that leadership must be constituted by and made up of youths. Every group must be represented here to achieve the purpose”.
Speaking further, Shaibu noted: “I referred Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie because when I was the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, she was the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN. I remember our encounter at the National Conference Center in Abuja where we drafted the first National Youth Policy to save the souls of Nigerian youths and we agreed to choose a youth who will represent the interests of Nigerian youths, even when we knew that our activities were being coordinated by some interested government officials but we stood our grounds. After wide consultation with the northern and southern blocks, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie eventually emerged as the national President of NYCN”.
“We left something behind after our tenure as NANS and NYCN Presidents, respectively. We left after our tenure and never returned as ‘ancestors’ of the various groups. It was to allow the younger ones to explore their world and learn from their own mistakes if any arose”.
“We left you to take charge and we group the young ones to be between the ages of 18-35 as stated in the Youth Constitution. Youth Council is not a political party like PDP, APC, LP, SDP and others. No, it has an age bracket which is from 18-35 years. If you are not within this age bracket, you have no business in the youth secretariat holding any meeting; you can only be there on the invitation”.
“We must allow the young ones to explore and demonstrate their leadership skills. This is a major problem in our country, Nigeria. I wouldn’t want us to walk on the same path, because if we are having the same problem, then the hope of this country of ours is dead”.
“You must not also allow your life to depend on Youth Council, because it’s just a transit for you to get to your leadership destination. It gives you that connection, that opportunity, that privilege and the exposure money can’t give you. This is the time you need to make an impact as a youth and move on with your life”, Shaibu added.
The former Edo State House of Assembly Speaker and NYCN President, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie appreciated the Deputy Governor for saving the situation after the bitter experience of the previous incident that almost consumed the youth body.
“We have resolved and agreed as a group to set up the electoral committee and the congress planning committee which must cut across the three senatorial districts of Edo State and those to be involved in the process, must not be below 18 and must not be above 35 years. We have all agreed to follow the constitution to give credence to the process”.
The Electoral Committee and Congress Planning Committee were however given 10 minutes to have a consultative meeting and submit names of those to represent them in both committees; while 29th – 30th, November was fixed for election and inauguration respectively.
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, we pledge our commitment and loyalty to you and we assure you that we will be there for you anytime any day you call on us”, Ativie added.
The Deputy Governor applauded the warring parties for accepting to be united while making themselves available for the new NYC.
He called on other chapters of the Youth Council to follow the same procedures in conflict resolution that will enhance progress and unity in the Council.
Shaibu directed the opening of the Youth Council Secretariat with immediate effect for official activities.