From Abubakar Abdullahi, in Lafia
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande has issued a strong warning to traditional youth chiefs across the country, urging them to shun greed and avoid misappropriating community development funds.
The Federal government specifically cautioned the youth holding positions in the traditional institutions against greed and misappropriating funds that have been provided for community development.
The Minister of youth Development, Ayodele Olawande gave the warning at a two-day national retreat of the Traditional Youth Chiefs Forum Of Nigeria held in Lafia.
Represented by Chief Obinna Nwaka, the youth development Minister called on participants to avoid greed.
“Most of us here, when given opportunities by the government or corporate organizations, divert resources for personal gain. As youth chiefs, we must promote inclusivity and be ambassadors of our country,” he said.
He said that youth chiefs must serve as agents of peace, unity, and national development. “Your leadership is vital in guiding our youth to appreciate their heritage while embracing innovation. True peace involves dialogue, respect for diversity, and a commitment to coexistence,” he added.
Nwaka also called for greater youth empowerment and patriotism, urging participants to reposition Nigeria positively to attract investment and development.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Danladi Jatau, stressed the need for peace and unity in the country. He urged the youth chiefs to support the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while making the most of the training.
“I encourage you to effectively engage yourselves in this two-day training to better position yourselves as instruments of peace and unity in your respective communities,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, the National Chairman of the Traditional Youth Chief Forum of Nigeria (TYCN), Barr. Aliyu Yusuf Shehu, described the retreat as more than a ceremonial gathering, but a critical call to action for youth leaders across the country.
He emphasized that youth chiefs have a unique and strategic role in bridging the gap between tradition and modern governance, noting that their positions carry the responsibility of fostering unity, promoting peace, and driving grassroots development.
He called on all traditional youth chiefs to rise above ethnic and political sentiments and work collectively for the progress of their communities and the country at large. “As custodians of our culture and intermediaries between the younger generation and traditional leadership structures, we must ensure our influence is used to promote inclusion, peacebuilding, and innovation,” Shehu stated.
He stressed the importance of repositioning the forum to meet current developmental challenges through active engagement and partnerships.
Shehu further encouraged participants to see the retreat as a platform to learn, share experiences, and develop action plans that will make meaningful impacts in their localities. He expressed confidence in the ability of the youth chiefs to champion development initiatives
The retreat featured discussions on inclusive governance, youth engagement, and sustainable grassroots development.
