In commemoration of the International Day of Families, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ibadan NorthWest Local Government of Oyo State chapter in conjunction with The Light Foundation, hosted a virtual talk themed “Building Strong Families, Building a Better Nation” on Friday, May 16, 2025.
The event, tagged the Family Bonding and Youth Mentorship Program, brought together young minds and community leaders to discuss the vital role of strong family structures in national development. The keynote address was delivered by Miss Testimony Eniola Adeniyi, a respected dedicated marriage and family life counselor.
The guest speaker Miss Testimony Adeniyi who is also the founder of The Light Foundation highlighted the critical role of family bonding in personal and societal well-being. She emphasized that families, whether nuclear, extended, blended, or chosen, are the foundation of love, support, and shared responsibility.
Miss Adeniyi outlined key ways to strengthen family bonds, including regular meals together, engaging in activities, open communication, celebrating achievements, and praying together.
She noted that strong family ties promote emotional security, improve communication, instill values, support mental health, and build resilience.
On a broader scale, she pointed out that bonded families help reduce crime, raise stable citizens, reduce social welfare dependency, enhance educational outcomes, and foster a healthier society overall.
The program, held virtually at 7:00 PM, featured engaging discussions on parenting, intergenerational communication, and the role of mentorship in youth empowerment. Attendees included local youths, parents, and NYCN members, all committed to fostering a more united and value-driven community, and were all awarded certification of participation.
The Coordinator of NYCN Ibadan NorthWest, Olusegun C. A. Taiwo OCAT, who also organized the event, highlighted the significance of recognizing families as the cornerstone of any thriving society. “This initiative is part of our broader goal to empower youths through guidance and to promote family cohesion as a driver of peace and development,” he said.
The event concluded with a renewed call to action for young people to embrace mentorship and actively contribute to strengthening their families and communities.
