The North Central chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its strides in youth empowerment and engagement, while also urging him to do even more.

At the same time, NYCN North Central stakeholders also expressed their support for NYCN President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, to seek re-election in the upcoming polls.

At a meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, North Central stakeholders, through a motion moved by NYCN Voluntary Youth Organisations member Yakubu Ibrahim and seconded by Hussain Mukhtar, pledged their support for Sukubo should he decide to contest the election.

In his remarks NYCN President, called on Nigerian youths to support leaders at all levels, irrespective of political affiliation.

Sukubo, whose intention to seek re-election as NYCN President in the forthcoming elective congress was backed by leaders of North Central, announced that the race is open to all candidates and assured that the process will be free, fair, and credible.

He further explained that his decision to run again is driven by the need to complete the task of repositioning the Council and freeing it from the control of selfish interests, a process he already initiated during his current tenure.

Sukubo stated, "As for me, as the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, on the Federal Government's policies, programmes, youth engagement, and youth empowerment, I would rate it fine in the aspect of the students. They have given them the best.

"But for the youth, we are also expecting more than even the student community. So, if the youth intervention programme is not above the student community, it means it is not enough for us because in number we have more youths than students.

"The students are part of the youth, but not all youths are students. So, we expected that the President by now would allow the National Youth Council of Nigeria to be advocating and championing the blueprint for youth empowerment and youth development under his government.

"That is what I, as the NYCN President, wish the President can give the National Youth Council of Nigeria this assignment, this task as a vehicle for us youths to reach out to the 774 local governments, 36 states, and the entire country."

Sukubo stressed that his bid for re-election is not driven by personal interest, but by a commitment to end the challenges and difficulties facing the NYCN.

The NYCN President stated, "After a series of calls from stakeholders, I have accepted the calling to contest and seek re-election as NYCN President. What it really means is, it's not for my personal good, it's not for self-centeredness, it's not for self-reliance. It is in the interest of all and the Council at large.

"It's because of the kind of trauma the Council has passed through for decades and we have been able to do our best to take it to fifty-five percent solved. So, when I am re-elected, I have to try my best to ensure that we get to ninety to one hundred percent problems solved, so that we can allow our younger ones, who will take over from us, to have peace to run the Council the way it should run.

"Because we expect our Nigerian youth to grow beyond the level we are at, we are still pushing to see how the dividends of democracy can also come to the younger generations.

"I believe that this NYCN election will be free, fair, and credible. It will not be a closed-door election. Doors are open to all contestants to contest for any offices of their choice. No one will be undone or intimidated."

In his remarks, NYCN Vice President North Central, Mukhtar Akoshile also rate President Tinubu high in youths empowerment.

Akoshile said, "I will score President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very high. In terms of appointments, more youths have been appointed. Also, his policies and programmes have been pro-youth.

"Though the President has done well, we will still encourage him to do more to ensure that most Nigerian youths are empowered."

Another North Central leader, former NYCN national officer and head of the Voluntary Youth Organisations, Prince Abubakar Abutu, described the meeting as both consultative and an eye-opener for everyone.

He said ,"This is a consultative meeting, and in the course of the meeting, North Central leaders are now well-informed about the achievements of President Sukubo. So, the meeting is also an eye-opener.

"We have listened to him. He is the only person that has travelled down to the zones, and we have listened to him."

Those present at the meeting included NYCN leaders such as Ambassador Leader Agboola (former NYCN President), Ambassador Kasali Omotayo, Comrade Almustapha Abdullahi Asuku (former NYCN President), Barrister Abubakar Suleiman (NYCN Secretary-General), Comrade Zaka Nehemiah (Program Officer), Olawale Abdulrahman (Organizing Secretary), state chairmen, and others.