The Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Prince Adebowale Falana, has called on the newly-elected executive members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, to enhance the image of the youth organisations and ensure transparency in their leadership of the council.
Prince Falana made this call on Tuesday, during the 2025 State Elective Congress of the council held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, to elect new executive of the NYCN, Oyo State chapter.
Speaking on the theme of the event “Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond,” Falana emphasised that the new executive members must administer the council with integrity and transparency and ensure that whatever benefits the government of the day gives to youths actually get to them.
Speaking shortly before the election, Prince Falana insisted that Governor Seyi Makinde does not have any interest in who would emerge as leaders of the youth council, noting that the governor’s singular interest is to have the right set of people, who will bring out integrity of the organisation, as he considers the youth sector a critical part of the state.
He said: “The essence of this gathering is to get an elected executive to man the affairs of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, for the next four years.
“We are here as an Agency for Youth Development as enshrined in their constitution and the reason is to see that the process is transparent and accountable.
“I am here to make sure that the next executive members have the integrity we expect of them. That is why I am overseeing things for myself.
“The NYCN is part of the youth groups registered under the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development. But when I came on board as the chairman of the Agency, their activities were not really palatable and they didn’t portray the good image of the youth.
“This is why I took it upon myself to make sure that the next executive members, we are ushering in now, are the set of people who can make sure that the NYCN, Oyo State, fulfills its mandate.
“The responsibility given to me by Governor Seyi Makinde is to make sure that there is transparency in the youth sector and that is what we are working towards.
“So, I can tell you that today, the government doesn’t have interest; our Agency doesn’t have interest. The two candidates that are contesting for the chairmanship position are competent.
“I told them that the best thing for them is to go to the field and sort it out with their people. Today, the security personnel are present and the media is here too. We have never had it this good.
“With this preparation, and what we have done, I am sure they are going to give us a seamless election that will usher in disciplined leaders.”
Shortly after, the members of the council went into an election, which produced Comrade Eniola Oluwatimileyin Alex as chairman.
In his acceptance speech after the swearing-in ceremony, the new chairman appreciated Governor Makinde and other stakeholders for their support in organising a rancour-free congress.
He promised to reform and restructure the council and bring together all the youth organisations across the seven geo-political zones of the state to enjoy the dividends of democracy through various intervention and empowerment programmes.
Speaking shortly after the election, Prince Falana charged the new executive to ensure transparency and accountability and to ensure that youths feel the impact of Governor Makinde’s youth-friendly government.
He said: “I want to charge the new executive to bring out the good image of the National Youth Council. Make sure that you are transparent enough in your dealings and make sure that anything that the government of the day is giving to the youth goes to the youth so that they can feel the impact of the government.”
Earlier in his address, the electoral officer, Comrade Ayo Babalola, described the congress as the most peaceful, credible and fair election ever organised over the years.
He advised the new executive to always prioritise the interest of the council and work in unity to support the vision of the state government.
