Adeleke’s New Year Package Tear Osun Youth Groups Apart
- SSG Accused of Bypassing Youth Affairs Commissioner
- NYCN Chairman Debunks Allegations
Youths in Osun State have expressed their grievances over the 2026 New Year package from the state government.
The youths who felt cheated and shortchanged by the chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Oluwasegun Akinbode, took to various social media platforms to protest.
They accused Akinbode of diverting rice meant for the entire youth groups in the state and which he clandestinely received from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye without the consent of the Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Moshood Olagunju.
In their separate reactions, the aggrieved youths bemoaned the act while seeking accountability from the NYCN chairman.
A cross-section of the youths who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condition of anonymity condemned the SSG for bypassing the Ministry of Youth Affairs on matters that affect them while describing Olukolapo’s action as insubordination.
In a statement by one of the youth groups, Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) signed by its chairman, Hon. Hammed Fatomi, the organization maintains that all matters relating to youths in Osun State should be properly channeled through the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday reads: “Sequel to our earlier release concerning the ridiculous New Year package allegedly given to our organization, the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Osun State Chapter, has gathered verified information that must be addressed urgently.
“Following a series of investigations and official calls, it was confirmed that the said rice did not pass through the Ministry of Youth. Rather, it was released by the SSG to the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) without the knowledge, consent or approval of the Ministry of Youth and the Honourable Commissioner.
“The Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, strongly condemn this action. It is imperative to state that all matters relating to youths in Osun State must be properly channeled through the Ministry of Youth, which serves as the statutory intermediary between the Government and youth organizations across the state. No organization, including the NYCN, has special privileges above others.
“In view of this development, we call on the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, to make immediate correction and ensure due process is followed accordingly.
“Furthermore, we demand that the SSG provides a public explanation as to why a package meant for youths was given to a single organization without the consent of the Ministry of Youth. This explanation should be provided within seven working days, commencing from Friday, January 2, 2026.
“Failure to address this matter appropriately will leave us with no other option than to mobilize for a peaceful physical engagement at the office of the SSG, through the Ministry of Youth as the recognized intermediary between the Government and the youths of Osun State,” the statement concluded.
Making clarification on the matter, the state Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Moshood Olagunju, dissociated his office from the 2025 New Year package.
The Commissioner posited that the said package was disbursed from the office of the SSG without the involvement of the Ministry.
According to Olagunju, the Ministry of Youth Affairs remains the statutory body responsible for the coordination and supervision of all youth bodies and youth-related organizations in Osun State.
“The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Osun State, under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Hon. Olagunju Moshood Olalekan, hereby formally dissociates itself from the 2025 New Year package reportedly meant for Osun youths, which was disbursed to the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Olakolupo Segun.
“It is important to state for the record that the said package was disbursed from the Office of the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye.
“For clarity and proper documentation, the Ministry of Youth Affairs remains the statutory body responsible for the coordination and supervision of all youth bodies and youth-related organizations in Osun State. These include, but are not limited to, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) and other recognized youth organizations. The Ministry does not recognize any single youth organization as the sole representative of all youths in the state.
“Furthermore, no New Year package was presented to or channeled through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, nor was the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Affairs involved at any stage of the distribution process.
“In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) is hereby urged to publicly disclose, in clear and verifiable terms, the distribution process and beneficiaries of the 2025 New Year package (rice) allegedly meant for Osun youths.
“The Ministry remains committed to fairness, inclusiveness, and the collective welfare of all youths across Osun State,” a copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads.
However, Akinbode described all allegations leveled against him as false, saying he is ready to press charges against those behind the rumors.
He stated this in a telephone conversation with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.
The NYCN chairman denied shortchanging the youth bodies, adding that the package was received through his goodwill.
He said: “I have chosen to be silent on the matter, but for clarity sake those accusing me will be charged for cyber bullying, defamation of character, and false accusations because they do not know the genesis of the matter.
“This is the first time the government will extend a hand of fellowship to the youths in the state during festive period and it was as a result of our relationship with the government that we have gotten this.
“The ministry that claimed that we bypass them, this is different from palliative that any Ministry would handle.
“As I am speaking to you, over 40 youth groups have received rice and it was measured by my executives. Meanwhile, the remaining rice is still at the secretariat of the council. Anyone who wants to verify can go there.”
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
