Five frontline youth groups in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area have been brought under a single direction for its collective peace, security and development.
In a breakfast meeting which held at the instance of the Chairman, Board of Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang at his Ikot Ekpene residence, the group leaders numbering over fifty noted that such all inclusive converge of youths could not be achieved in the past. They promised to work in harmony for beneficial outcomes for the area.
The groups are Akwa Ibom State Youth Caucus, Akwa Ibom State Youth Council, Dakkada Youth Ambassadors, Village Youth Council and PDP Youth Wing (Ikot Ekpene chapters).
Addressing the group, the host, Engr. Inyang charged them to work towards resolving the insecurity situation in Ikot Ekpene. It is their responsibility as youth leaders, he said, to ensure that their followers are kept under control, away from criminality and violence. He challenged their capacity as leaders, saying their competence will be generally questioned if their locality constantly erupts in violence.
‘We are preaching politics of decency. We won’t arm any youth with weapon for any purpose but we will arm ourselves with a collective will to triumph and succeed in our collective goals. Go and rework your strategies, dissuade your fellow youths from taking to crime. We want peace to return to Ikot Ekpene,’ he charged them.
Reacting to the inauguration of Umoh Ibe and Comrade Etido Inyang (jnr) as chapter chairmen of Akwa Ibom State Youth Caucus and Akwa Ibom State Youth Council respectively, the Ibom Power Board Chair pleased with the youths to respect the decision of Governor Udom Emmanuel and support them to succeed so they would enjoy similar encouragement in their turn.
He mandated the Village Youth Council and chapter executives of the PDP to step up their advocacy for voters’ registration by ensuring that no eligible person is left out in the ongoing voters registration exercise as their votes is their power.
Advising the youths to shun idleness and get involved in trade and vocation where there is no available job at the moment, Inyang assured that Governor Emmanuel is repositioning the state for an era of economic boom which will lead to massive employment opportunities. He tasked them to be part of cooperatives, show genuine efforts as the present administration is ready to support such endeavours.
Highlighting the importance of the meeting, he described it as significant as the different youth families have finally agreed to come together to chart a common, greater goal for Ikot Ekpene. ‘This is proof that PDP is intact here irrespective of defection lies. We will continue to stay together in strength in pursuit of our 2019 objectives,’ he submitted. He particularly thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for the appointment of Leo Umana into the State Board of Internal Revenue, and commended Umana for his role in championing a noble cause for Ikot Ekpene youths.
Stating expressly that his efforts is not about Ikot Ekpene leadership, he reiterated his disinterest in the political leadership of the area.
‘I am only taking up responsibility to do what is right and fair. In summary, the outcome of today’s meeting is that the youths of Ikot Ekpene have come together to promote peace and unity, discourage criminality and violence, and work collectively for a one-way outcome in 2019.
Speaking earlier, Council Chairman of Ikot Ekpene, David Umana, expressed pleasure at the meeting. He commended the host for his playing politics of inclusion and pledged to support the groups always.
Leo Umana while speaking, saluted Engr. Etido Inyang’s courage and numerous sacrifices for area and tasked the groups on focus and loayalty.
In his remarks, Favour Otong, a foremost and influential youth leader in the area was full of commendations for Engr. Inyang who he acknowledged as a leader and politician without grudges or bitterness. He said the meeting has birthed a new dawn in the area and preached loyalty and steadfastness to the gathering.
Others who spoke were chapter secretary of PDP, John Cletus, Anietie Ekpeyong, Chair Nigerian Youth Chapter of Commerce (Akwa Ibom chapter), Erasmus Udoh, Lawrence Isang, PDP chapter youth leader. Isang advocated for a synergy in the activity and programmes of activities among the various groups and pleaded for more inclusion of youths in the scheme of things. He lauded the host for his good-heartedness and team spirit.
In their responses, the newly inaugurated chairmen, Umoh Ibe and Etido Inyang (jnr) thanked the host and promised to always consult widely before arriving at any decision.
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