The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos East Senatorial District, recently concluded a high-impact Executive Leadership Retreat in the historic Igboye community. The multi-day event, designed to sharpen the administrative and leadership skills of youth executives, blended rigorous intellectual training with physical fitness, cultural engagement, and grassroots advocacy.

Day One: A Grand Opening and Fitness Advocacy
The retreat kicked off with an energetic Morning Fitness Walk that saw youth leaders marching through the major streets of Igboye. The walk served a dual purpose: promoting physical well-being among the leadership and sensitizing the local community to the council’s presence and commitment to grassroots development.

Following the exercise, the Opening Ceremony officially set the tone for the retreat. Speakers emphasized the need for “purpose-driven leadership” to meet the evolving challenges facing the youth in the Lagos East district.

Capacity Building: Partnering for Excellence

A core highlight of the retreat was the intensive Retreat Training Session, anchored by the renowned Mayor Deen Sanwoola. The training was a collaborative effort with the Lagos Youth Development Institute (LYDI), featuring a lineup of top-tier facilitators.

The sessions focused on:
Strategic Governance: Streamlining administrative processes within the council.

Conflict Resolution: Navigating the complexities of youth interest groups.

Resource Management: Maximizing the impact of limited community resources.
Cultural Honor: Visit to the King of Igboye

In a show of respect for traditional institutions, the executive team paid a courtesy visit to the Orijeru of Igboye Kingdom. The Monarch commended the youth leaders for choosing Igboye as their retreat destination and urged them to remain catalysts for peace and progress in Lagos State.
The Pitch: Ikorodu/Kosofe Triumphs in Novelty Match

The retreat wasn’t all business. Spirits ran high during a thrilling Novelty Football Match between a combined Ikorodu/Kosofe team and the Epe Division team.

In a back-and-forth encounter that kept spectators on their feet, Ikorodu/Kosofe secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory. Beyond the scoreline, the match served as a powerful tool for fostering brotherhood and unity across the different divisions of the senatorial district.

A Call to Action: The Sungbo Eredo Vision
The final leg of the retreat included a significant visit to the ancient Sungbo Eredo monument. Deeply moved by the historical magnitude of the site, the executive leadership held a Management Meeting on-site to discuss the preservation of Yoruba heritage.

“Sungbo Eredo is a sleeping giant of African history,” the council noted during the meeting.

The NYCN Lagos East leadership issued a formal call to the Lagos State Government and private investors to develop Sungbo Eredo into a world-class tourist attraction. The council argued that with proper infrastructure and global branding, the site could become a major revenue generator and a point of pride for the entire Epe Division and Lagos State at large.
The retreat concluded with a renewed sense of urgency, as leaders returned to their respective local branches equipped with new skills and a clear vision for the future of Lagos East.