Prime Minister Godwin Friday stated that the re-establishment and “reboot” of the National Youth Council (NYC) is a priority on his government’s agenda. He described the decline of the previous council under the former administration as a “shameful”.
Friday’s vision for the National Youth Council includes, An Independent Voice, Independent State Funding, Autonomy in Leadership and Inclusivity and Engagement.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the NYC should not simply carry out the government’s agenda or wait for instructions from the Prime Minister’s office. Instead, it must function as an independent advocate and voice for young people, bringing its own youth-led agenda to the government.
Friday believes the council should receive independent funding provided by the state because the organization provides a valuable service to the nation.
He plans for the council to be self-governing, with the ability to elect its own members and executive leadership.
Friday expressed hope that a revitalized NYC would attract many young people to participate and become advocates for their peers, and acknowledged the importance of community-based organizations in identifying local leaders who can eventually form national bodies like the NYC.
Beyond the NYC specifically, Friday mentioned that his own political party maintains a vibrant youth arm called the “Young Democrats,” which holds annual elections for officers to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process