The Committee of Youth for Mobilisation and Sensitisation has intensified advocacy for youth inclusion in governance, credible elections and full local government autonomy, as it rolls out a comprehensive national programme for 2026.

The director-general of CYMS, Obinna Nwaka, said this on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Nwaka, who spoke on the organisation’s strategic plans, policy focus and interventions for the year, said that CYMS’ mandate centred on policy development.

This, he said, included promoting federal government programmes, good governance, peaceful coexistence, and facilitating employment opportunities for young people.

He explained that several initiatives had already been initiated ahead of the new year to ensure young people were visible, actively engaged and empowered from the grassroots to the national level.

He said the organisation will actively participate in the Abuja council elections, noting that CYMS works closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission  to strengthen democratic values. Beyond election observation, Mr Nwaka said the organisation was deliberately shifting its focus from Abuja’s metropolitan centre to underserved communities within the city.

As part of efforts to bridge this gap, he announced that CYMS would host a major youth summit in the Bwari council to deepen grassroots engagement.

The CYMS chief recalled that rumours of bandit activities in the Bwari council some months ago had created fear among residents, particularly young people. However, he said infrastructural and civil development projects currently underway had significantly changed the narrative.

Mr Nwaka commended FCT minister Nyesom Wike for spearheading developmental projects in the area, attributing the progress to the policy direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said communities such as Ushafa were witnessing visible infrastructural development, countering the perception that the area was neglected.

Speaking on grassroots governance, Mr Nwaka reaffirmed CYMS’ support for Mr Tinubu’s emphasis on strengthening local government administration as a foundation for national development.

He stressed the need for local government funds to be paid directly into council chairmen’s accounts to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mr Nwaka said the conference would also address the challenge of rural-urban migration, particularly among young people, saying that over-centralisation of opportunities in urban centres has driven youth migration, leaving rural communities underdeveloped.

He said direct funding and effective governance at the local government level would stimulate grassroots development and reduce migration pressures.

(NAN)