The Chairman of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Enugu State Chapter, Engr. Prince Edeoga, has dismissed reports alleging that he was financially sponsored or politically backed by a politician to lead the youth movement in the state, insisting that his activities are driven by a non-partisan youth development agenda.
Edeoga made the clarification during a media engagement in Enugu on Friday, describing the allegations as baseless and an attempt to divert attention from efforts to unite and empower young people across the state.
“There is a rumor going around that His Excellency paid me, or that I have been projected by a politician. Let me state this clearly for the record: it is not true,” Edeoga said.
“My mission has nothing to do with politics. My mission is a Youth Agenda. It is about uniting Enugu youths on one platform where every young person, regardless of party, tribe, religion or background, can be seen, heard and empowered.”
He said the ongoing online registration of youths across Enugu’s 17 local government areas was part of efforts to establish an organised and credible platform through which young people could access opportunities in skills acquisition, employment, education and empowerment.
According to him, the initiative is also intended to provide government, development partners and the private sector with reliable information required to design and deliver youth-focused interventions.
Edeoga said the registration process had been designed to accommodate youths who might encounter technical challenges, including provisions for manual entry of wards.
“We don’t want any excuse. Every Enugu youth must be counted. This is about inclusion and structure, not politics,” he added.
‘I’m funding the movement myself’
Addressing questions about the source of funding for his activities, the NYC chairman said he had been personally financing the movement, stressing that no politician was behind the initiative.
“All the expenses I have been making towards this movement are from my personal resources. Nobody has been involved, and no politician has sponsored this agenda. This is my personal contribution to see that our aims and objectives are achieved,” he said.
Edeoga also attributed the growing support for the initiative among young people to what he described as years of consistency and service rather than financial inducement.
“My commitment to youth change is constant. It did not start today and it will not end tomorrow because of politics. The young people following this movement are following because they believe in the vision of a united, skilled and opportunity-driven Enugu youth population,” he said.
“We must grow beyond political propaganda and distractions. Politics will come and go, but the future of Enugu youths is permanent. That is what we are fighting for.”
The NYC chairman said the congress was working to establish a sustainable youth structure capable of serving present and future generations while projecting a positive image of Enugu State.
He said the focus remained on developing responsible, skilled and peace-loving young people capable of contributing to the state’s development through entrepreneurship, education, community development and leadership.
‘We will partner, not be controlled’
Edeoga said the NYC would continue to collaborate with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders where such partnerships would benefit young people, but maintained that the organisation would retain its independence.
“NYC Enugu belongs to the youths of Enugu State. It is not owned by any politician and it will not be used as a political tool. We will partner, but we will not be controlled,” he stressed.
He also appealed to his allies and supporters to remain committed to the youth agenda, urging them to continue contributing to the growth and development of young people across the state.
“To my fellow allies, all you have seen me doing has been my own part of contribution to ensure that our aims and objectives are being carried out. I urge you all for maximum support and courage to drive growth for Enugu youths and for the betterment of our state,” he said.
Edeoga urged registered and yet-to-register youths to take ownership of the initiative by completing the registration process, while calling on community leaders, stakeholders and well-meaning individuals to support programmes capable of delivering direct benefits to young people.
“Let us ignore rumors and focus on the work. The time to unite is now. The time to build is now. Together, we will build Enugu and together we will give our state a new and positive identity,” he concluded.
The NYC Enugu State Chapter said it would sustain its statewide mobilisation and online registration exercise in the coming weeks as part of efforts to develop a credible database of young people to support effective development planning and targeted interventions.
