Youth council offers prayers for Buhari

THE National Youth Council of Nigeria has appointed Comrade Yussuf Olatunji Kelani, as acting president of the council, following the vacuum created by the uncertainty surrounding the whereabout of its substantive president Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.

The youths have also prayed quick recovery and return of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Comrade Kelani, who was until his appointment, the deputy president of the council, was appointed the acting president during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which was held at Barcelona Hotel in Abuja.

Public Relations Officer of NYCN, Mr Chris Ibe, who confirmed the development to the Nigerian Tribune, said NEC ratified his appointment in line with the desire to chart a new course and reposition the council for a more youth development oriented activities, voluntary service and non political council.

He said the decision to appoint Kelani followed a motion moved by the Vice President, North Central, Comrade Usman Tanmzi and supported by the Vice President, North East, Comrade Abubakar Gawo.

The motion was followed by a vote which saw nine out of the 12 members present voting in favour of the motion, while two voted against and one abstained.

The NEC, therefore, constituted a seven-man committee headed by the acting president to meet with the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Director General of Department of Security Service (DSS), Minister of Youth and Sports Development, as well as Chairmen/Heads of Voluntary Youth Organisations and all critical stakeholders of the council for the purpose of re-establishing the cordial relationship that once existed between the NEC, council’s stakeholders and the ministry.

He said: “The NEC supports the anti-corruption campaign of the president and emphasized that the NYCN, as an umbrella body of Nigeria youths is not a political organisation and does not constitute an opposition to the government rather it was created to complement government efforts in governance and knowing fully well that the President of the country is the Grand Patron of the Council.”

The acting president while thanking the NEC for finding him worthy, advised youths in the country to start imbibing values that would promote national unity, dignity of labour, respect for authorities and youth development.