Kogi State Inaugurates New National Youth Congress (NYC) Executives
LOKOJA — Thousands of youths gathered at the Glass House, Government House in Lokoja as the Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) officially inaugurated its newly elected State Executive Council and Local Government Coordinators.
The ceremony marked a historic transition of leadership, bringing together key government officials, traditional leaders, prominent youth stakeholders, and delegates from all 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
Representing the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Secretary to the State Governor urged the newly sworn-in officers to lead with integrity. “Let your good attitude bring you out into space,” the Governor stated, assuring the youth of his administration’s continued support for youth-inclusive governance.
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Echoing this commitment, the Chairman of the occasion and State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, represented by Taiwo Nathaniel, emphasized that the present administration remains heavily youth-driven, with young people occupying strategic appointments across the state.
Addressing the audience, the Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Sports Development, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Salisu Ogwu, charged the incoming council to hit the ground running. “Don’t remain in active capacity; come in to start immediate action,” he charged.
Clarifying the organization’s standing, Oladele John Nihi, Special Adviser on Youth and Student Affairs, noted that the NYC is not in rivalry with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), but rather serves as a complementary platform for youth advancement and policy advocacy.
In his valedictory address, the outgoing State Chairman, Alfa Ameh Ebune, highlighted the achievements of his tenure, particularly advocacy campaigns against youth vices and drug abuse across all 21 LGAs. He expressed appreciation to national leaders, state officials, and Congress Planning Committee Chairman, Maximilian Tashlani, for their sacrifices over the years.
Delivering his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated State Chairman, Oloruntoba Moses Juwon, pledged an administration anchored on Unity, Inclusion, Empowerment, Innovation, and Service. He unveiled a Five-Point Agenda for Kogi Youth focusing on Empowerment, Employment, Education, Entrepreneurship, and Political & Leadership Participation, while committing to align the council’s vision with Governor Ododo’s development policies.
Newly Inaugurated Leadership
State Executive Council (Excos)
* Oloruntoba Moses Juwon – State Chairman
* Zuleihat Oyiza Onimisi – Deputy State Chairman
* Arome Benjamin Ereh – Secretary General
* Oparison Godwin – Assistant Secretary
* Mamood A. Muhammed – Vice Chairman Central
* Adamu Danjuma – Zonal Vice Chairman, West
* Abubakar Ahmed – Zonal Vice Chairman, East
* Yekini Habib Salawu – Organizing Secretary (Central)
* Alonge David Temitope – Organizing Secretary (West)
* Obochi Hamza Sani – Organizing Secretary (East)
* Mustapha Abdulazeez – Treasurer
* Ismaila Jibrin – Financial Secretary
* Samuel Abigail Roseline – Internal Auditor
* Olupinla Oyeniyi – Public Relations Officer
* Igunnugbemi T. Rapheal – Social Secretary
* Ahmed Iliyasu – Legal Adviser
* Abdulkareem M. Rahinat – Assistant Legal Adviser
* Ademu Abdulwahab – Coordinator of Persons with Disability (PLWD)
State Directorates
* Blessing Ibeojo Moses – Director, Gender and Women’s Mainstreaming in Governance, East
* Idris Fadilat – Director, Gender and Women’s Mainstreaming in Governance, Central
* Mohammed Adams – Director, Gender and Women’s Mainstreaming in Governance, West (position indicated)
* Ebune Abduljabbar – Welfare Secretary, East
* Idris Muhammed Awel – Secretary, Youth Empowerment
* Ojochegbe Dominion Solomon – Director of Programme, East
Local Government Area (LGA) Coordinators
* Usman Bala Mohammed – Lokoja LGA
* Meseru Olaoluwa – Yagba East LGA
* Joseph Kolawole – Yagba West LGA
* Ademola Olatunde – Mopamuro LGA
* Samuel Ibishagba – Kabba-Bunu LGA
* Olowosagba Ayodele Felix – Ijumu LGA
* Ojomah Abuche Monday – Ibaji LGA
* Joshua Maji Umama – Ofu LGA
* Muhammed Salisu Odogbas – Idah LGA
* Ameh Nuhu Okpanachi – Igalamela Odolu LGA
* Atuluku Jibrin – Dekina LGA
* Kure Jeremiah Shiloba – Bassa LGA
* Yakubu Khalilur Rince Ameh – Olamaboro LGA
* Abdulkadir Umar – Ajaokuta LGA
* Ishaq Bello Muhammed – Kogi/Kotonkarfi LGA
* Abdulraheem Iliyasu – Okene LGA
* Gift Haruna – Omala LGA (partially visible)
* Jibrin – Ankpa LGA (partially visible)
NYC Elders Council
The council also formally recognized its advisory body, comprising Alfa Ebune, Maximilian Tashlani, Abdullahi Elrufai, Bashir Umar, Deborah Zacheaus Ize, Solomon Ademola Isaac, Mohammed Aliyu Omeiza, Abuh Alilu (Organising Secretary, North Central Nigeria Youths Congress), Omale Sunday, Ajinomoh Abiodun, and Atabo Aruwa Julius.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, AUGUST 24TH 2026)
