The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has celebrated former House of Representatives member, Hon. Shina Peller, as a steadfast partner in youth development and a promoter of peace, marking the fourth anniversary of his conferment as the Ayedero of Yorubaland.
The congratulatory message, signed by NYCN President Comrade Solomon Adodo and made available to journalists on Friday, highlighted Peller’s contributions to both national cohesion and youth empowerment since his chieftaincy title was conferred by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adéyẹmí III, in August 2021.
Adodo described the Ayedero title as “more than a decoration, it was a call to responsibility—to guard the peace, nurture harmony, and give hope in times of uncertainty.” He praised Peller for broadening the meaning of the title through tangible actions over the past four years.
“Four years on, you have not only carried that burden with courage but have broadened its meaning for a generation watching closely,” the statement read.
A cornerstone of Peller’s service has been the Ayedero Peace Tour, which took him to states affected by insecurity, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Niger. During the tour, he engaged traditional rulers, security agencies, and youth leaders, emphasizing dialogue and constructive intervention as tools for promoting peace.
“Your Ayedero Peace Tour remains a bold testimony. You chose not the comfort of celebration but the hard road of intervention—walking into states battered by insecurity. You listened to the grieving, engaged traditional rulers and security agencies, and stood as a reminder that silence in the face of violence is not an option. That is leadership with courage,” the NYCN president said.
In addition to peacebuilding, Peller has invested significantly in youth development through the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), equipping thousands of young Nigerians with training in leadership, governance, active citizenship, and strategic communication. Adodo emphasized that Peller’s approach is not about creating followers but fostering a new generation of responsible leaders.
“By equipping thousands with knowledge of leadership, governance, active citizenship, and communication, you are building not just followers but a new class of leaders—youth who can think, act, and take responsibility. That is not politics; it is nation-building,” the statement noted.
Peller’s engagement with the youth has earned him several recognitions. In 2022, NYCN pronounced him as its Life Patron, and in 2023, he was named Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth (GCNY) by NYCN in collaboration with other youth organizations.
“For us in NYCN, you are not merely a title holder. You are a partner in the youth struggle, a motivator when the path seems unclear, and a living reassurance that public life can still be anchored on service,” Adodo said.
The NYCN further wished Peller continued success in his public service initiatives, noting that his example offers hope and inspiration for a generation determined to see Nigeria rise.
