CYMS, Islington mayor agree on youth exchange to boost leadership skills
By Ibironke Ariyo
The Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) and the Mayor of Islington, Councillor Jason Jackson, have agreed to partner on a youth exchange programme to strengthen international collaboration and leadership development.
A statement by the CYMS media officer, Hosea Parah, issued on Friday in Abuja, said the agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by the CYMS Director-General, Chief Obinna Nwaka, to the mayor’s office in London.
The CYMS DG said that the high-level engagement focused on creating opportunities for young people to gain exposure to global governance systems.
This, he said included public policy frameworks and leadership practices, in line with CYMS’s mandate of youth empowerment.
Nwaka said cross-cultural learning and global engagement were essential in shaping future leaders.
He noted that the initiative would equip Nigerian youths with the knowledge and skills needed for effective participation in governance and community leadership.
“The programme would help participants develop the right orientation, mindset and sense of responsibility required to contribute meaningfully to policy-making processes in Nigeria.
“The development is also expected to deepen collaboration between CYMS and local government institutions in the UK, with both parties expressing readiness to advance discussions and actualise the proposed youth exchange programme,” he said.
In his remarks, Jackson welcomed the initiative and emphasised the value of international partnerships in fostering youth development and mutual understanding across borders.
He expressed optimism about the impact of the proposed programme on young people in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The mayor also pledged his support for the initiative and his readiness to attend the 2026 CYMS National Conference on Local Government Autonomy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference would be organised in collaboration with the Presidency and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
As part of the visit, Nwaka presented a complementary package to Jackson in appreciation of his leadership and commitment to youth-focused partnerships.
The meeting coincided with the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
