A frontline Youth Activist and Gender Advocate, Irene Onwuka has emerged as the Vice President, West Africa at the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), to coordinate Youth Development activities of the Organisation within the West African sub-region.
Pan-African Youth Union (PYU) is the apex and coordinating body for National Youth Councils and statutory voice for the African Youth. Headquartered in Rabat, Morocco, the Organization has a consultative status with the African Union, and special observation status at all African Heads of State and Government Meetings.
Reacting to her victory, Irene Onwuka, who happens to be the first female youth from Nigeria to occupy any position at the PYU Executive, expressed her gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, the Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande and the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo for the support and privilege.
“I cannot express enough gratitude to the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Amb. Sukubo Sera-Igbe Sukubo for deeming me fit for this position and promise never to let him and the Nigerian Youth down. I equally specially appreciate the Honourable Ministers who have made history by producing me as the first Nigerian female youth leader to serve at the PYU. I shall never take this privilege given to me for granted. I also like to use this medium to dedicate my victory to the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio for his fatherly support throughout the process”. She affirmed.
“I realize the huge responsibilities of my office and promise to hit the ground running alongside my colleagues in the PYU to develop programmes towards addressing Youth Unemployment, Risky Migration, Violence and Insecurity, among other challenges confronting the Youth across countries of West Africa”. Irene Onwuka concluded.
It may be recalled that the former Vice President, West Africa of the Pan-African Youth Union, Oladele John Nihi, had resigned from the office following his appointment by the Kogi State Governor as Chief Press Secretary, and subsequent elevation to Special Adviser on Youth and Students Matters.
The resignation which was contained in a letter to the Honourable Minister dated 2nd February, 2024 requested immediate replacement. The Honourable Minister, in a swift reaction, sequel to the recommendation of the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, communicated the replacement to the Headquarters of the Pan-African Youth Union.
The new Vice President, West Africa, Irene Onwuka is expected to be sworn-in in a later date at the PYU Headquarters in Morocco.