Owoto emerges Ondo NYCN chairman

The Ondo State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria has elected Engr. Babatunde Omomowo, popularly known as Owoto, as its substantive chairman after a long-awaited congress.

The election, which held on Sunday at the Ondo State Information Technology Agency Hall, Alagbaka, Akure, was witnessed by youth leaders, stakeholders, and observers across the state.

The process, described as peaceful and orderly, was seen as a major step towards restoring unity to the council after years of crisis. The leadership tussle had lingered since August 2020 when Ogunmolawa Matthew Adewale, a staff member of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, declared himself a parallel chairman.

Delegates at the congress said the outcome marked a turning point for youth leadership in the state, especially after divisions that almost crippled the council.

In his post-election remarks, Owoto expressed gratitude to Ondo youths for what he called an “overwhelming support” that gave him the mandate to lead. He described his victory as “a victory for every young person in Ondo State who believes in unity, progress, and purposeful leadership.”

Reflecting on his tenure as caretaker chairman, he recalled the turbulent period the council went through but commended the collective resolve that helped restore order.

His words, “When I assumed office as your Caretaker Chairman, our great Council was in disarray…Yet, together, we refused to be defeated by divisions caused by Ogunmolawa. Through steadfast commitment to our ideals and unshakable zeal for youth leadership, we overcame every obstacle and reaffirmed the singularity of our Council,” he said.

He listed some achievements recorded under his interim leadership, including strengthening the relationship between government and young people, amplifying youth participation in policy-making, and reconciling aggrieved leaders. He promised to uphold transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability as guiding principles of his new tenure.

In his words, “As I now step into this new chapter as your substantive Chairman, I do so with renewed vigor and a clear understanding of the responsibility before me. This mandate is a call to greater service, to deepen the gains we have made, and to take Ondo State youths to even greater heights of relevance and impact,” he affirmed.

He ended with a rallying call: “Together, we will continue to make history and prove that the youths of Ondo State are indeed the pride and future of our nation, Nigeria.”

Some youth advocates have described Owoto’s emergence as a stabilising factor for the council, expressing optimism that the new leadership will consolidate on past gains and open fresh opportunities for youth development in the state.