The North Central Reformed Youth Assembly (NCRYA) on Saturday held its inaugural meeting in Jos, Plateau State, where it officially sworn in its newly elected national executives and state coordinators who will drive the mandate of the organization across the North Central region.
The event, held at Great Links Hotel, Gold and Base, brought together youth leaders, government representatives, and stakeholders committed to strengthening youth participation in governance and regional development.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Zachariah Sunday Diwong, in his opening remarks, described the inauguration as a significant milestone for youth across the six North Central states and the FCT. He explained that the organization was established in March 2025 following the signing of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, NCRYA is a legally registered youth movement dedicated to fostering unity, empowering young people, and supporting the implementation of the NCDC’s development agenda within the region.
“We are here to inaugurate our state coordinators. We didn’t make it a large ceremony because of the security challenges in the country. But this step is important as we assign our coordinators the responsibilities that lie ahead,” he said.
Representing Plateau State Governor, His Excellency Caleb Mutfwang, the Special Adviser on Youth Matters, Hon. Hitler Pwajok, commended the organizers and expressed government support for their mission.
He praised the organization’s focus on reform, unity, and youth empowerment, noting that the governor’s administration places high priority on engaging young people in governance.
“In this room, there is no Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kwara, Niger or Kogi. There are only brothers and sisters united by a common goal,” he said. “The future of the North Central region depends on how well we empower the youth today.”
He urged governors across the region to emulate Plateau State’s example by actively appointing and involving young people in leadership roles, warning that societies that fail to invest in their youth risk stagnation.
Following the administration of oath of office, the newly inaugurated National Chairman, Comrade Joel Anji, delivered his inaugural address, describing NCRYA as a movement committed to reviving the identity, culture, and development aspirations of the North Central region.
He acknowledged President Tinubu for establishing the North Central Development Commission, expressing confidence in the Commission’s potential to address long-standing developmental gaps.
“We witnessed the inauguration of the NCDC in Abuja as the only youth organization that proudly displayed its flag,” he noted. “We urge the Federal Government to provide sustained financial and operational support to ensure the commission achieves its objectives.”
Addressing rising insecurity across the region, Comrade Anji commended the Plateau State Government for the recent proactive closure of schools following security threats. He highlighted recent incidents of student kidnappings in Niger and reported cases in Nasarawa, stressing the need for urgent regional collaboration.
“You cannot pursue education if you are not alive. We support every action aimed at safeguarding students and communities,” he said.
He also called on state governments in Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, and the FCT to intensify efforts toward protecting lives and property, ensuring good governance, and partnering with youth-led bodies to strengthen community resilience.
Comrade Anji emphasized the Assembly’s core values—integrity, unity, civic engagement, interfaith tolerance, and cultural revival—and announced plans to begin robust engagements with traditional rulers, government leaders, youth groups, and security agencies across all states in the region.
“One of our major priorities is rebuilding religious tolerance and ensuring that criminals are not shielded under the guise of ethnicity or religion,” he added.
The event climaxed with the presentation of appointment letters to the newly inducted state coordinators and executives, marking the beginning of coordinated youth-driven engagement across the North Central region.
The inauguration comes at a time when insecurity remains a major concern, with recent kidnappings of students, communal tensions, and school closures across parts of Nigeria heightening calls for stronger community participation, youth leadership, and regional cooperation. 
