By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, Lagos – The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Badagry Branch, has commemorated International Youth Day by charging the young people of the region to take ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and hold their leaders accountable for a better future.
The event, held on September 27th at the Badagry Youth Centre, was themed "Local Youths Action for SDG and Beyond." It brought together youth leaders, community stakeholders, and government officials to strategize on galvanizing local action for global goals. The commemoration served as a rallying point for a new era of youth engagement in the historic coastal town.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Barr. Seyon Mesitode, acknowledged the challenges faced but expressed optimism. He issued a stark critique against financial malfeasance, urging more youths to join the NYCN to provide oversight.
"Over time I think it's as if people are just giving rooms for those that will only embezzle their money," Mesitode stated. He emphasized that an active membership would "challenge the activities of the leadership of the organisation so that they can be challenged to do better."
Echoing the theme of collective responsibility, Gabriel Gbowe, the NYCN Coordinator for Badagry Local Government, called for a shift in mindset. He declared that the era of waiting for white-collar jobs is over.
"Gone are those days where graduates wait for white-collar jobs; it is our collective responsibility to build our immediate community," Gbowe asserted. He encouraged youths to be active in their local community-based organisations as a pathway to qualifying for the constitutionally-guided NYCN, reinforcing the message that change begins at the grassroots.
Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, In a passionate and self-reflective speech, he highlighted the immense work required to bridge the disconnect between the government and the youth. "I have about 603 days left in office... every day must count," Ogunlende revealed, stating he had set a high benchmark for his successor.
He championed the "soro-soke" (speak up) era, urging youths to hold leaders accountable respectfully. "We are government workers and not gods," he reminded the audience, while also warning against drug abuse and introducing the state's initiative, the Lagos State Kick Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA).
Joseph Agbomenu, NYCN Coordinator for Badagry West LCDA, who was impressed by the turnout, said that positive change is imminent. The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, challenging every youth in Badagry to move beyond seeing their community as "far" and disadvantaged. The call was clear: to step out, seize opportunities, and take local actions that collectively build a thriving society, making the sky merely a starting point for Badagry's vibrant youth.