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By Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Federal Government through the Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande has issued a strong warning to traditional youth chiefs across the country, urging them to shun greed and avoid misappropriating community development funds.
Speaking throught Chief Obinna Nwaka, at a two-day national retreat of the Traditional Youth Chief Forum of Nigeria (TYCN) held in Lafia on Tuesday, Nwaka stressed the importance of transparency and inclusivity, regardless of political affiliations.
“Let us avoid greed. Most of us here, when given opportunities by the government or corporate organizations, divert resources for personal gain. As youth chiefs, we must promote inclusivity and be ambassadors of our country,” he said.
He emphasized that youth chiefs must serve as agents of peace, unity, and national development. “Your leadership is vital in guiding our youth to appreciate their heritage while embracing innovation. True peace involves dialogue, respect for diversity, and a commitment to coexistence,” he added.
Nwaka also called for greater youth empowerment and patriotism, urging participants to reposition Nigeria positively to attract investment and development.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Danladi Jatau, stressed the need for peace and unity in the country. He urged the youth chiefs to support the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while making the most of the training.
“I encourage you to effectively engage yourselves in this two-day training to better position yourselves as instruments of peace and unity in your respective communities,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, the National Chairman of the Traditional Youth Chief Forum of Nigeria (TYCN), Barr. Aliyu Yusuf Shehu, described the retreat as more than a ceremonial gathering, but a critical call to action for youth leaders across the country.
He emphasized that youth chiefs have a unique and strategic role in bridging the gap between tradition and modern governance, noting that their positions carry the responsibility of fostering unity, promoting peace, and driving grassroots development.
He called on all traditional youth chiefs to rise above ethnic and political sentiments and work collectively for the progress of their communities and the country at large. “As custodians of our culture and intermediaries between the younger generation and traditional leadership structures, we must ensure our influence is used to promote inclusion, peacebuilding, and innovation,” Shehu stated.
He stressed the importance of repositioning the forum to meet current developmental challenges through active engagement and partnerships.
Shehu further encouraged participants to see the retreat as a platform to learn, share experiences, and develop action plans that will make meaningful impacts in their localities. He expressed confidence in the ability of the youth chiefs to champion development initiatives
Sun reports that the retreat featured discussions on inclusive governance, youth engagement, and sustainable grassroots development.
