By Kelvin Obambon
The leadership of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) in Cross River State has declared that the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) is currently non-existent and legally “proscribed,” cautioning youths across the state to distance themselves from its activities.
State Chairman of the NYC, His Youthfulness, Comrade Francis Finian Offiono, made this declaration during a press conference in Calabar on Wednesday to clarify the youth governance landscape in the state.
Addressing journalists at the NUJ Press Centre, Comrade Offiono cited official administrative actions as the basis for his statement. He noted that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) had withdrawn the NYCN’s certificate of registration, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development had suspended its operations.
READ ALSO: United Nigeria Airlines boss distributes christmas largesse to 15,000 indigent Nigerians in Anambra
“At the moment, the NYCN stands proscribed,” Offiono stated. “This means the NYCN is officially forbidden, banned, and made illegal by a formal rule, statute, or decree, which essentially makes its practice, existence, or activities unlawful.”
He emphasized that these were “institutional facts, not political positions,” and warned that any gathering held under the NYCN banner, specifically citing a proposed summit in Bekwarra Local Government Area, is “unauthorized and illegal.”
The NYC Chairman explained that the press conference was necessary because youth leadership is “too important to be driven by speculation, misinformation, or institutional disorder.” He urged Cross Riverians to prioritize legality and structure over “parallel authority.”
“Youth development is not achieved through noise or parallel authority; it is achieved through structure, continuity, legitimacy, and collaboration,” he said.
Comrade Offiono used the briefing to outline the vision of the Nigerian Youth Congress as the primary bridge between the youth and the government. He promised a move away from “symbolism” toward “impactful” governance.
Concluding his address, Comrade Offiono called for a shift in the mindset of the state’s youth, promising that his administration would deliver “order, not confusion; structure, not rivalry; and programs, not propaganda.”
“We believe disputes should be resolved through lawful and institutional channels, not through parallel structures or public misinformation,” he remarked. “The Nigerian Youth Congress stands for peace, progress, and responsible engagement.”
The NYC leadership further advised security agencies and traditional institutions to take note of the current legal status of youth organizations to maintain peace and order within the state.
