In celebration of the 2025 International Youth Day, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ojokoro Local Branch, in collaboration with Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), hosted a Stakeholders’ Youth Symposium and Panel Session with the theme “Local Youth Action for SDGs and Beyond.”
The event, which took place at the Akinwunmi Ambode Hall, Ojokoro LCDA Secretariat, attracted youth leaders, political figures, community stakeholders, public officers, and security personnel from across the local council area.
Delivering her keynote address, the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. (Barr.) Oluyemisi Adenike Rosiji, who was duely represented by the Council Manager Mrs Akinola Mojisola, reaffirmed her administration’s unwavering commitment to empowering young people and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a changing world.
Hon. Rosiji noted that many young residents of Ojokoro are currently being trained in the LCDA ICT Centres to acquire essential digital skills, while another set of trainees will, in the coming weeks, graduate from the LCDA Vocational Training Centre after months of practical, hands-on training. She emphasized that youth empowerment remains central to her administration’s agenda, as it directly contributes to reducing unemployment and promoting self-reliance.
The Council Chairman also highlighted ongoing partnerships that reflect Ojokoro’s alignment with global development goals, notably the LCDA’s collaboration with Net Zero to promote environmental sustainability and the recycling of polyethylene waste within the community. According to her, this partnership is a proactive step towards fostering a cleaner, greener, and more eco-friendly Ojokoro.
Hon. Rosiji further disclosed that only a day earlier, during a briefing by the NYCN Ojokoro executive team, she had charged the youth leadership to actively take part in curbing drug abuse and other negative behaviours among young people. She urged them to use their platforms and influence to champion positive change, adding that “true leadership begins with responsibility, discipline, and moral integrity.”
In his welcome address, the Executive Coordinator of NYCN, Ojokoro Branch, Comrade Sulaimon Azeez, described the 2025 International Youth Week celebration as a time for reflection and collective action. He emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends heavily on youth participation, innovation, and collaboration.
Comrade Azeez, while recounting the success of the Unity Health Walk held earlier in the week as part of the Youth Week activities, commended the support of Ojokoro LCDA, the Lagos State NYCN leadership, and other partners for their consistent encouragement. He called on young people to remain united, purposeful, and committed to building a better society.
Similarly, the Deputy Coordinator and Chairman of the Symposium Planning Committee, Prince Adetayo Adeniran, in his remarks to commence the discussion, stressed that “the future belongs to the youth, and that future is now.” He urged young people to embrace the reality of their time and play major roles in driving the achievement of the SDGs and beyond, rather than waiting for tomorrow.
A major highlight of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Ruth, a scholars featuring experts across youth development, education, and environmental sustainability. The panelists included Comrade Jamiu Ademosu, Director-General of the Lagos Youth Institute; Mr. Agbotan Oluwatobi, lecturer from the Department of Social Science, Yabatech; and Mr. Ashade Abdusalam, Executive Director of Green Janitor.
The session offered deep insights into youth engagement in achieving the SDGs, emphasizing the need for innovation, civic participation, and environmental awareness. Panelists also encouraged youth-driven initiatives as essential tools for social and economic transformation.
The event, which had in attendance principal officers of the council, community leaders, youth organizations, and representatives of various government agencies, was a vibrant display of knowledge, dialogue, and determination reaffirming that local youth action remains the foundation for achieving global development goals.