“He who goes to equity must go with clean hands. Tell no lies, claim no easy victory; tell it exactly as it is.”
The Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC) has carefully observed and reviewed a recent public statement credited to the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Osun State, Hon. Olagunju Moshood, wherein he claimed to have dissociated himself from the 2025 end-of-year packages. In that same statement, the Honourable Commissioner alleged that the said packages were released to the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Olakolupo Oluwasegun, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The CCNC wishes to categorically state, without fear of intimidation or prejudice, that the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs has, over time, continued to promote actions and narratives that fuel division among youth organisations in Osun State. This pattern reflects a lack of respect for established procedures, youth leadership structures, and the rule of law guiding youth administration in the state.
Historically, during the process of nominations for the National Youth Conference (Youth Confab) initiated by the Federal Government, the Honourable Commissioner and his associates openly declared that the *only recognised and legitimate youth organisation acknowledged by the Ministry of Youth Affairs is the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)*. At that time, CCNC and other youth groups were deliberately sidelined, with attempts made to portray CCNC as anti-government simply because it did not align with certain personal interests. If NYCN was then publicly upheld as the sole umbrella body for youth organisations as recognized by the ministry of youth, the CCNC is compelled to ask: *what has changed now?*
If the Honourable Commissioner truly accepts and acknowledges NYCN as the umbrella body of all youth organisations in the state, then CCNC sees absolutely nothing wrong in NYCN, the apex and the umbrella body, receiving the said packages on behalf of Osun youths and youth organization and distributing same accordingly
Based on credible information available to us, we can confirm that *not fewer than forty (40) youth organisations has benefitted from the twenty (20) bags of rice received through NYCN, with is the first of its kind in yelutude season*. Furthermore, the Chairman of NYCN has openly stated that some bags remain undistributed and are presently kept at the Youth House, awaiting disbursement.
It is important to clarify that, in a standard and functional system, the Ministry of Youth Affairs is expected to act as a supervisory body to the youth council which is the apex and the umbrella as recognized by the government —not to manipulate or pit one organisation against another for political or personal gains.
We also wish to state clearly that the statement issued by the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), signed by Rt. Hon. Fatomi Dare Hammed, appears to be a direct response to the influence and orchestration of certain individuals determined to undermine the authority and structure of the NYCN—an authority earlier acknowledged by the ministry and the Honourable Commissioner himself. As clearly stated in the National Youth Policy (Pages 100–101), NYCN remains the recognised umbrella body of youth organisations with the responsibility of coordinating and regulating affairs of youth associations
While it may be argued that all youth matters should pass through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the critical question remains: *who initiated the request for these packages—the Ministry or NYCN?* Our findings confirm that it was *NYCN that formally made the request on behalf of Osun youths*, while the Ministry remained largely silent and unresponsive to the broader youth constituency. We also ask: was YAN aware when this request was made? Records clearly show that the packages were officially released in the name of NYCN.
The CCNC therefore states unequivocally that the Honourable Commissioner must immediately desist from actions capable of dividing youth organisations that existed long before his appointment. Youth organisations must also refuse to become tools in the hands of any individual seeking to weaken collective youth strength. One must ask: *why does the Commissioner consistently derive satisfaction from creating division among youths?*
Since assuming office, what inclusive youth-focused programmes has the Ministry of Youth Affairs, under Hon. Olagunju Moshood, facilitated across the state? Sadly, the record shows more instances of discord than unity. *It is time for Osun youths to wake up and wise up.*
Every legitimate youth organisation has direct access to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, who remains the father of all structures beyond NYCN. However, many have chosen silence, only to later question processes they refused to engage in.
*You cannot stay away and later question how resources were accessed or shared.*
We conclude by reminding all concerned of the words of Robert Greene:
*“Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win.”*
The Honourable Commissioner should remember that his office is temporary, but the consequences of division may be lasting.
He must rise to his responsibility as a unifying father figure for youth organisations, not an agent of division. The pattern is clear: yesterday, NYCN, NYC, and NANS were used against CCNC; today, YAN is being positioned against NYCN. *Osun youths must collectively say NO to this cycle of division.*
*Signed:*
*Comrade Akinola Akinkunmi Musa*
*Chairman CCNC*
📞 *07038504821*
*📧akinkunmi.akinola@yahoo.com*
*Comrade OLUOMO SUCCESS*
*Spokesperson, CCNC*
📞 *08133381495*
📧 *[Akinkunmiopeyemi02@gmail.com]*
