02/12/2025
Update:
Comrade Simon Oko wrote👇👇👇
Why the Federal Ministry of Youth, Not the Cross River State Ministry of Youth Approved the Existence of NYC – A Plea for Unity Among Cross River Youth Groups.
In recent times, since the inauguration of the national and state leadership of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), I have seen a series of social media posts from members of the Cross River State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) that point accusing fingers at the Cross River State Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Hon. (Bar) Ukam Ijom Charles
My dear fellow youths of Cross River State, it is important to note that the entire process is not limited to Cross River State alone, so let us keep the Cross River State Ministry of Youth out of it. You and I are aware that it was not the Cross River State Ministry of Youth that withdrew the Certificate of Incorporation (CAC) of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). Rather, it was the Federal Ministry of Youth, the supervising ministry for all youth organisations in Nigeria including the NYCN and the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC).
Notably, the withdrawal was carried out pursuant to the powers conferred on the Commission under Sections 8(1)(c) and 8(1)(d) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, following a comprehensive investigation into the council which has faced a prolonged leadership crisis for more than 18 years. The Federal Ministry of Youth has the authority to proscribe the NYCN whenever its activities conflict with the Federal Government’s guiding principles. This authority was exercised when the NYCN’s activities threatened to degenerate into a regional crisis after a purported National Congress held in Bayelsa. However, the Ministry chose not to proscribe the NYCN; instead, it lawfully acted on the CAC investigative report and withdrew the NYCN’s Certificate of Incorporation for a period of one year, pending further investigation and the resolution of court orders instituted by a factional NYCN group.
I advise the Cross River State leadership of the NYCN, headed by Comr. Olayi Emmanuel to caution its members and over‑zealous media outlets against publishing inciting social media content that could devalue the existence of the NYCN in the state. The NYCN chairman should congratulate the newly inaugurated Cross River State NYC leadership, headed by Comr. Francis Finian Offionor and propose a collaborative strategy to lead Cross River State’s youth with purpose, not rancour or name-calling.
Afterall, the NYC is one amongst many youth groups that have operated in Cross River State for some time without incident. I do not see the NYC as a threat to either the NYCN or other youth groups.
Simon Oko
Fomer Member, Nigeria Youth Parliament Abuja, Representing Cross River North Senatorial District.
