Chinedum Elekwachi
Igbo youth leaders in Southeast have called on President Bola Tinubu to include more youths from the region in his appointments.
They made the appeal in Awka, Anambra State in a communique issued at a convention of the youth leaders and stakeholders from the seven Igbo-speaking states.
The leader, Igbo Youth leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Convention Chairman of the Assembly, Mazi Bismark Oji and Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Uzoh Ifeanyi signed the communique.
It reads, “We appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the constitution of the Boards of various regional development commissions.
“We respectfully request for the expansion of the various boards of the regional development commissions to ensure adequate representation of Igbo youths, whose talents, ideas, and entrepreneurial drive are vital to regional and national development.
“As patriotic Igbo Youths, we remain committed to a peaceful, united, and progressive Nigeria, where equity, justice, and mutual respect reign.
“We stand for justice, inclusion, and national transformation.”
Worsening insecurity condemned
The leaders further condemn worsening security situation in various parts of Igbo land.
They linked the development to lingering socio-political grievances, marginalization and certain government policies aggravating disenfranchisement of several Igbo youths.
The group called on all community youth leaders across Igboland to heighten vigilance by collaborating with local vigilante groups and security agencies to checkmate threat to security in towns, farmlands or forests across the zone.
They also urged Governors in the region to rise above political distractions, prioritize security with urgency or face collective rejection at the polls in 2027.
“We demand that the Security Chiefs issue immediate instructions to their field personnel to cease the harassment and intimidation of innocent Igbo youths.
“We advocate for a working alliance that fosters intelligence-sharing and coordinated response strategies to neutralize real threats and those truly bent on destabilizing Igboland.
They acknowledged the remarkable improvement in security in Anambra State, especially the governor’s success in tackling the menace of Okite which had misled so many of Igbo youths.
According to the communique, the convention adopted a proposal to evolve an Integrated Youth Development, with a 5-year strategic action plan.
It will capture the aspirations of young people in areas that affect their livelihood and production.
The communique conveys the sadness of the Convention by the lack of leadership succession plan in Igboland.
It urges the political elites and leaders to deliberately establish a leadership recruitment, mentorship and succession plan, which will be beneficial to all and sundry without status discrimination.
National Youth Confab commended
It further reads, “We commend the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for convening the upcoming National Youth Confab, a platform that has the potential to shape inclusive policies for the Nigerian Youth.
“The Convention has taken a unified stand and shall be presenting an articulated position document that reflects our aspirations, concerns, and solutions as a critical bloc in the Nigerian Youth demography.
“We urge the Honorable Minister of Youth Development to ensure that the modalities for participation in the confab reflect equity, transparency, and equal opportunity for all ethnic nationalities.
“The Convention resolves and adopted Igbo Youth Leaders/Stakeholders Assembly as name for the Igbo Youth Leadership platform, with Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu as the leader.
