The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the apex umbrella body for youth organizations committed to youth development, civic engagement, and leadership advancement across the country, once again demonstrated its convening strength and relevance at a landmark town hall meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.
On Saturday, 10th January 2026, the NYCN Ijebu-Ode Local Branch, under the purposeful leadership of its Coordinator, Comrade A. M. Odunowo, organized a high-impact Town Hall Meeting with the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The engagement took place at the Conference Hotel, GRA, Ijebu-Ode, and drew an impressive convergence of political stakeholders, community leaders, and youth from across the local government and its environs.
The event was attended by high-level friends and associates of the Senator, alongside the executive members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria at the local level, council leaders and respected elders, directors of various directorates, organized youth leaders, and stakeholders from different sectors. In a clear demonstration of youth interest and civic consciousness, over 500 youths from Ijebu-Ode and neighboring communities turned out for the dialogue, filling the venue with energy, expectation, and constructive engagement.
The town hall provided a rare and open platform for interaction between the Senator and the youth constituency he represents. Discussions centered on critical issues affecting young people in Ogun East, including youth inclusion in governance, employment opportunities, skills development, education, entrepreneurship, social infrastructure, and the need for sustained dialogue between elected representatives and the younger generation. Participants spoke frankly, yet respectfully, articulating both challenges and aspirations, while proposing practical pathways for progress.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in his remarks, acknowledged the strategic importance of the youth demographic and commended the NYCN Ijebu-Ode Local Branch for its organizational capacity and commitment to constructive engagement. He emphasized the need for unity, discipline, and continuous capacity building among youths, while reaffirming his willingness to engage, listen, and collaborate with youth structures to advance development across Ogun East Senatorial District.
The leadership of Comrade A. M. Odunowo was particularly evident in the coordination, tone, and outcome of the meeting. By prioritizing dialogue over confrontation and substance over sentiment, the NYCN Ijebu-Ode Local Branch positioned itself as a credible partner in governance and community development, reinforcing its role as a bridge between government and the youth population.
In conclusion, the town hall meeting stood as more than a political gathering; it was a statement of intent by the youths of Ijebu-Ode to be heard, involved, and counted. It underscored the power of organized youth engagement and the value of responsive leadership. As conversations from the hall translate into actions and policies, the event will be remembered as a defining moment where dialogue replaced distance, hope challenged frustration, and a shared vision for a more inclusive and prosperous Ogun East was firmly articulated.
*©NYCN IJEBU ODE MEDIA DIRECTORATE*
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