The National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has declared that youths will assume leadership positions across Igboland, stating that the current generation of leaders has failed to meet the expectations of the people.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new leadership of the Abia State chapter of OYC in Umuahia on Saturday, Igboayaka expressed disappointment over the deteriorating state of public infrastructure in the Southeast region.
"The current crop of leaders in Igboland has failed the people," Igboayaka stated, lamenting the poor condition of schools, medical facilities, and other essential amenities across the region.
He alleged that successive leaders had allowed public property to deteriorate while establishing their own private enterprises, creating a significant gap in public service delivery.
Call for Accountability in Leadership
The OYC President charged the newly elected Abia chairman, Eugene Okonta, and other executive members to ensure that individuals with questionable records are no longer elected into leadership positions in the region.
Emphasizing the need for unity among Igbo youths, Igboayaka revealed that his organization is championing a paradigm shift aimed at transferring leadership responsibilities to the younger generation across Igboland.
New Leadership Pledges Commitment
In his welcome address, the newly elected chairman of the Ohanaeze Youth Council in Abia State, Eugene Okonta, pledged his commitment to realizing the collective aspirations of Igbo youths and the wider Igbo nation.
"Under my leadership, OYC in Abia State will take its rightful place," Okonta affirmed, outlining his administration's plans to engage with government, security agencies, private institutions, and religious youth bodies to help reduce crime and other social vices among young people in Alaigbo.
Okonta also called on federal and state lawmakers from Igboland to enact laws aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the region, which he identified as a critical issue requiring immediate attention.
"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 emphasized.
The leadership transition comes at a critical time for the Southeast region, as calls for greater youth inclusion in governance continue to gain momentum across Nigeria.
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