The National Youth Council (Edo State Chapter)conferred on Prince OdiOkojie (the husband of the popular Nollywood actress- Mercy Johnson Okojie) the title of a patron and a friend of the youth over the week, in recognition of his personal efforts atempowering the youths for self-subsistence and for identifying with the youths of the state.

Received by a teaming crowd of youths led by the deputy chairman of the National Youth Council at the state secretariat, The Prince (as he is popularly known) was conducted round the facilities at the secretariat which includes: a media training center, computer training center, catering training center, etc. He was then led into the office of the state chairman, Comrade Innocent Ajayi who was waiting for him with members of his exco.
In his welcoming address, Comrade Innocent Ajayi thanked Prince Odi Okojie for championing the course of the youth and for becoming the face of the youth. He noted that the lack of a vibrant figure for the youth had led in the past to men in their late 40s and 50s been made to represent the youth. He emphasized that he had told all who care to listen that the youth will no longer take the back stage in the affairs of this state.
On his part, Prince OdiOkojie in his acceptance speech reminded his host that the task of building a bettertomorrowthat fulfills the aspirations of the youth begins today. The youths he said must stop looking for somebody else to solve their problem because as the saying goes, “dey no dey eat Panando for another man headache”. He thanked the National Youth Council for their effort in building a better Edo state and advised them to be ready to build a synergy with other youth organizations in Edo because only through synergy will their vision for the state be realized.
He ended with a personal promise to channel his numerous youth empowerment programs and that of his wife through the National Youth Council umbrella body. And made humble contribution for the expansion of the facilities at the secretariat so that more youths can be trained in skills acquisition.