YAND to Uzodimma: Partner with Tinubu’s SSA on Citizenship & Leadership to drive Renewed Hope Agenda

The Youth Alliance for Northern Development (YAND) has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as the Renewed Hope Ambassador, describing the move as both strategic and forward-looking.

In a statement issued Tuesday and signed by the group’s Convener, Seyi Olorunsola, YAND said the decision underscores the President’s resolve to strengthen national reorientation, political stabilisation and grassroots mobilisation under his administration.

The organisation urged Governor Uzodimma to work closely with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, led by Hon. Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji, to maximise the impact of the new role.

“While we celebrate this well-deserved appointment, YAND wishes to emphasise a critical point that we believe will determine the true success and national impact of this new ambassadorial role: the immediate and deliberate collaboration between Governor Uzodinma’s office and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, currently held by Hon. Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji.

“As an organisation committed to strengthening governance and promoting national development through youth-led civic engagement, YAND has closely followed the activities of Hon. Nasir Bala Aminu Ja’oji since his appointment as SSA to the President on Citizenship & Leadership. His office has already demonstrated remarkable initiative in championing a renewed culture of citizenship, strengthening civic values among young Nigerians, and deepening the understanding of governance across diverse communities.

“In recent months, Hon. Aminu Ja’oji has taken bold, practical, and innovative steps to reposition the youth for leadership. His engagements with youth groups, community leaders, and civil society— including hosting the leadership of YAND during our recent courtesy visit — reflect a hands-on commitment to national rebirth, unity, and civic responsibility. His office is currently laying the foundational framework for nationwide programmes aimed at cultivating new mindsets, strengthening patriotism, and bridging the communication gap between leaders and the led.

“It is for this reason that YAND believes that any effort aimed at advancing the Renewed Hope vision must not run separately from the work of the SSA on Citizenship & Leadership. Instead, both offices must operate as partners and co-architects of the same national agenda,” the group said.

YAND noted that the governor’s mandate as Renewed Hope Ambassador, focused on mobilisation, political awareness and community engagement, aligns seamlessly with the work of the SSA’s office in promoting civic values and strengthening public understanding of government policies.

The group stressed that coordinated action between both offices would “Ensure message coherence so that the Renewed Hope agenda is communicated clearly, consistently, and effectively across all states and communities would not only amplify the already ongoing nationwide citizenship and leadership reorientation work of the SSA’s office but will also build a unified mobilisation framework that blends political engagement with civic education.

It maintained that such synergy would also minimise fragmented efforts, create a central strategy for youth and citizen-focused initiatives and boost public confidence through unified messaging.

“YAND therefore calls for the immediate establishment of a joint working platform between Governor Uzodinma’s office and the SSA’s office — one that aligns their programmes, outreach efforts, communications strategy, and community-based engagements,” it said.

The alliance further commended President Tinubu for making the appointment at a critical moment in the national political transition.

“This decision shows a commitment to sustaining political stability, deepening democratic participation, and ensuring that the administration’s reform message gains more clarity and reach. The appointment also sends a strong message that governance must be closer to the people, anchored in trust, and driven by effective communication.

“On behalf of the Youth Alliance for Northern Development, I congratulate Governor Uzodinma once again and renew our call for strategic partnership with the Office of the SSA to the President on Citizenship & Leadership. Together, these two offices hold the potential to embed the Renewed Hope agenda deeply in the hearts of Nigerians,” it added.