Nigerian youths in the South East region have been urged to see
themselves as see themselves as critical elements for the unity and
survival of Igbo race.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APC), Chief
Johnbosco Onunkwo, stated this in Awka on Monday during the summit of
Ohanaeze Youth Wing Worldwide, themed “The Fate of Igbo Youths in
Present Nigeria”.
He urged the youths to optimise their potentials towards contributing to
national development.
Onunkwo who was installed as the Grand Patron of the body at the event,
said youths must eschew internal rancour and resist bribery capable of
smearing the image of the association.
He pledged to use his status as the Grand Patron of the body to
galvanise youths and the association to play the leading role in the
development of Igbo nation.
He said, “Our agenda is to bring together all Ohanaeze youths, reconcile
them and hold symposia on the importance of Ohanaeze youths in the
upliftment of Igbo nation.
“What we are doing is for the good of our people, every son and daughter
of Igbo must join Ohanaeze youth so we can bridge the gap in the Igbo
question.”
He further called on members of Ohanaeze to insulate the organisation
from partisan politics, just as he urged the youths to engage in active
politics especially at the national level.
“In Ohanaeze, we have people from different political shades and even
non partisans, our goal is to insulate Ohanaeze from partisan politics
while ensuring that our members participate actively in national
politics.
“The challenge of the youths could be resolved through constructive
engagements and warned those distabilising the organisation with
monetary inducement to desist from such acts,” he added.
Earlier, National Leader of Ohanaeze Youth Wing Worldwide, Chief Arthur
Obiora, said the summit was to appraise the condition of youths and
recognise those that contributed to the progress of the body.
He described the Igbo youth as hardworking and industrious who needed
fair environment to express their ingenuity, just as he pledged his
readiness to sacrifice his blood for the Igbo cause.
The summit attracted participants from Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra,
Enugu, Delta and Rivers states.