In a move for the Obudu-Bekwarra-Obanliku Federal Constituency, Emmanuel Olayi has announced his candidacy for Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). If elected, Olayi would be the first representative from OBO Federal Constituency to hold this position, marking a historic moment for the constituency which has never produced a Youth Council Chair NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
Olayi, hailing from Nyanya Ward in Bekwarra LGA, emphasized the importance of equity, fairness, and justice in his decision to run. He highlighted the council’s zoning convention, noting that the position of Chairman is currently zoned to Cross River North. As a native of Bekwarra, he is well-positioned to contest, especially since the previous chairman from the north, Comrade Ben Okorie, hailed from Yala in the Yala-Ogoja federal constituency.
Reflecting on his extensive involvement with the Youth Council since 2011, Olayi detailed his journey from a young student leader to a key player in various council activities. He recounted his participation in organizing programs and heading committees at the local government level. His commitment culminated in his role as a member of the transition committee in 2021, where he observed significant operational gaps within the council.
Identifying these gaps as a driving force behind his candidacy, Olayi remarked, “There is a gap in value in the Youth Council because an organization that would not operate with what the papers are saying means that there’s a gap, and that gap is what brought me in.” His campaign is centered on addressing these issues through what he describes as “value and ethical reorientation for Cross River State youth.”
Olayi’s elective ambition dubbed “The Inclusive Agenda,” aims to ensure broad participation and representation within the council. He expressed concern that the current operations have been dominated by a select group of individuals, to the detriment of inclusivity. “The council in its operation has been some kind of group of persons who want to run the council to what will suit them,” he said, pledging to make the council more inclusive.
Under his leadership, Olayi envisions a council where all eligible young persons, regardless of party lines, ethnic groups, or residency status, can actively participate. He emphasized the need for inclusivity, stating, “If you’re a resident of Cross River, a young person or you are not by a natural occurrence from poverty, you should be able to be part of the activities of the council.”
As the election process continues, Olayi’s campaign will likely focus on mobilizing support across the state’s diverse youth population, particularly highlighting the historic opportunity for the Obudu-Bekwarra-Obanliku federal constituency to finally produce a Youth Council Chair.
