The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, will headline the maiden edition of Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026, scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 10, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu.
Omidiran, popularly known as Ayo Omidiran, will deliver the keynote address at the youth-focused gathering, which is expected to bring together young people from across Enugu State for discussions on access to opportunities, inclusion, representation and youth development.
The programme, themed “Beyond Quotas: Unlocking Opportunities for Enugu Youths Through the Federal Character Commission,” is being convened by Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State on the FCC and Chairman of the Commission’s Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation.
Eze, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and inaugurated on January 22, 2026, said the initiative was conceived to bridge the information gap that often prevents qualified young Nigerians from identifying and accessing legitimate opportunities.
“Our objective is to help young people understand where legitimate opportunities exist, how to identify them, how to apply, what is required, and how to position themselves for success,” Eze said.
Peter Eze
He said many young Nigerians possess the qualifications, talent and determination to succeed but are disadvantaged by a lack of timely and accurate information about available opportunities.
According to him, Peter Eze Youth Connect is designed to move beyond conventional youth empowerment programmes by connecting young people directly with information, practical guidance and institutions that can help them pursue opportunities at national and international levels.
The programme is expected to attract graduates, students, entrepreneurs, job seekers, professionals and other young people from the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.
Areas expected to feature include jobs, scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships, government programmes, private-sector opportunities, digital opportunities, entrepreneurship, career development and leadership.
Omidiran’s participation is expected to provide an institutional perspective on the role of the Federal Character Commission in promoting equitable representation and ensuring fair access to opportunities within the public sector and other areas of national development.
The FCC chairman is expected to speak to participants on how young people can better understand and take advantage of opportunities available through government institutions, while addressing broader issues surrounding inclusion and representation.
The event will also feature a session on “Connecting Youths in Enugu State to the European Union Market for Apiculture Products,” aimed at exposing young people to opportunities in honey production, beekeeping and access to the European Union market.
Eze urged Enugu youths to take advantage of the programme, stressing that access to the right information, combined with preparation and determination, could significantly improve their chances of success.
He also challenged young people to move beyond passively waiting for opportunities and develop the capacity to identify, pursue and position themselves for available opportunities.
With the event scheduled for Thursday, organisers say Peter Eze Youth Connect 2026 is intended to begin a broader conversation about youth development in Enugu, with emphasis on moving from promises to access, information to action and waiting for opportunities to actively pursuing them.