The National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has stated that youths will take over leadership positions in Igboland, asserting that the current crop of leaders in the region has failed the people.
He made the declaration in Umuahia on Saturday during the inauguration of the new leadership of the Abia State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC.
Igboayaka, who lamented the poor state of public infrastructure such as schools, medical facilities, and other amenities across Igboland, alleged that successive leaders had allowed public property to decay while establishing their own private enterprises.
He charged the newly elected Abia chairman of OYC, Eugene Okonta, and other executive members to ensure that individuals with questionable records are no longer elected into leadership positions in the region.
Igboayaka, who emphasised the need for unity among Igbo youths, said his organisation was championing a paradigm shift aimed at transferring leadership responsibilities to the youth across Igbo land.
In his welcome address, the newly elected chairman of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Abia State, Eugene Okonta, pledged to give his utmost to the realisation of the collective aspirations of Igbo youths and the wider Igbo nation. He affirmed that OYC in Abia State would take its rightful place under his leadership.
Okonta stated that his administration would engage with the government, security agencies, private institutions, religious youth bodies, and others to help reduce crime and other social vices among young people in Alaigbo.
He also called on federal and state lawmakers from Igboland to enact laws aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the region.
“I must call upon my fellow youths to keep away from crimes and drugs, which is injurious to health. The current downturn and economic hardship, in the country, are not enough reasons to engage in sharp practices, like kidnapping, cybercrime and other sorts of criminality,” Okonta said.
