Wale Jagun
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Imota Chapter celebrated 365 days of its engaging and transformative impacts on youth in Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA) with presentation of its account of stewardship in form of a compendium of activities since its inception.
Imota NYCN administration led by Comrade Oriyomi Adebogun as Coordinator, was inaugurated in June 2024, after the four-year tenure of Comrade Folarin Adegboyega.
The three days programme which lasted between 24th -26th of July, 2025, and held at the NS Sho Event Centre, Imota, also featured indoor and outdoor games to engage the youth and other members of the community.
The anniversary was themed, “The Journey of Empowerment, Creativity and Transformation” which highlighted the transformative achievements of the NYCN through projects and programmes to enhance youth development in Imota LCDA.
On the first day of the celebration, games that were engaged in were Ayo Olopon, Draft, Ludo, Table Tennis, Snooker, Whot and Boxing , while the screening of Back – To – School Project applicants was conducted on the second day.
At the grand finale, it was management meeting with Community Based Organizations (CBO’s), Youth associations and clubs across Imota LCDA and awards, medals and prize presentations.
Oriyomi, presenting the compilation of his administration’s achievement at the grand finale, emphasised that its focal point is taking children off the street and to integrate them back to school through an initiative, tagged: “Back to School Essentials for Young Learners (BSE 1.0)”.
According to the Coordinator, his executive has embarked on a survey that revealed an alarming number of children on the streets of Imota who should be in school and the findings compelled them to take action.
“Over four hundred and thirty children were found on the streets during school hours. Some of these children are either hawking or aimlessly roaming on the streets,” he revealed.
“45 of the 430 out-of-school children have been re-integrated back into school. These 45, fully kitted with school materials were provided with school books, uniforms, sandals, and bags. They will also receive continuous support during their period in school.
“They are, therefore, our ambassadors till they are graduated,” he said.
He further stated that there are numerous others that are in school that the youth group also cared for during the period.
“These 45 pupils do not include several other hundreds of pupils provided with school uniforms. These other pupils are in school but with torn uniforms. Some of them are without writing materials and, or sandals,” he said.
Another highlighted initiative included the OFF-THE-STREET, BACK TO WORKSHOP (Street to SKILL) programme, which aimed at empowering youth with skills.
“This is a new initiative to support youths interested in acquiring scalable skills. NYCN Imota branch is partnering with the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) to achieve the Street to Skill Initiative.”
Other achievements highlighted include monthly aerobic exercises, digital marketing literacy, Environmental Cleaning Exercises, Home Grown Farming (Back Yard Farming), IMOTA LCDA Community Development Dialogue 1.0 – holding interactive sessions with political leaders for accountability, among other laudable initiatives.
The compendium was presented to Comr. Abubakr Olatunji Asoro, Vice Chairman, NYCN Lagos East Senatorial District and the State Chairman, NYCN Lagos State, Engr. Adigun Olalekan Ibrahim.
At the final day, medals and plaques were awarded to winners of different game competitions.
Youth leaders and other stakeholders across the council in Ikorodu Division and the state graced the occasion.
