By Ibironke Ariyo

The Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) has joined the global call to support young people leading grassroots actions for sustainable development.

CYMS Director General, Chief Obinna Nwaka, while marking the 2025 International Youth Day in Abuja, said the 2025 United Nations theme, ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,’ formed the cornerstone of CYMS’s message this year.

He said the theme reinforced the organisation’s mission to empower Nigerian youth as key drivers of societal transformation.

He emphasised that local action was not only the foundation of sustainable change but also a strong catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“At CYMS, we believe local action is the basis of global impact. Nigeria’s youth are not only tomorrow’s leaders, but today’s change-makers.

“Their ideas, innovations, and initiatives are already shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future,” he said.

Nwaka highlighted the remarkable contributions of young Nigerians in fields ranging from climate resilience and digital innovation to gender equality, peacebuilding, and entrepreneurship.

He praised the efforts of the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, in developing and empowering youth nationwide to tackle community-based challenges.

He commended Olawande’s commitment, passion, and achievements, passing a vote of confidence on him as the best Youth Minister in Nigeria’s history.

“We thank the Youth Minister for the strong working relationship and express optimism that more opportunities will be provided for greater contributions.

“From rural communities to urban centres, Nigerian youth are stepping up to tackle local challenges with creativity, passion, and commitment.

“Whether through clean-up drives, tech solutions, agricultural innovations, or social impact campaigns, their efforts reflect the essence of the SDGs in action,” he said.

To commemorate the day, CYMS unveiled a lineup of nationwide activities aimed at deepening youth involvement in the SDG agenda.

These include youth town halls, intergenerational dialogues, leadership training sessions, digital literacy workshops, and innovation showcases across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Nwaka urged stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, and development partners, to step up support for youth-led initiatives.

“It is time to invest more boldly in young people. Let us provide platforms, resources, and policies that enable them to thrive.

“We must not only hear youth voices but act on them.

“As Nigeria joins the world in marking International Youth Day, CYMS reiterates its dedication to inclusive, sustainable, and youth-centred policies and programmes.

“This International Youth Day, we celebrate the potential of local youth action to deliver global progress.

“The future is not just ahead. It is being built now by young hands and bold hearts. The time is now. The power is ours,” he said.

Nwaka said CYMS remained at the forefront of nurturing informed, empowered, and action-oriented young Nigerians poised to shape the nation’s future.

This, he said, would be through continued advocacy, capacity-building programmes, and nationwide outreach. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo