Jubilation As Eric Uwakwe Inaugurates Imo Youth Stakeholders Council …Seek govt intervention over misappropriation of NDDC youth fund

…Pass Vote Of Confidence On Gov. Uzodimma

By Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa…

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Affairs and Mobilization Hon. Amb. Eric Uwakwe, has inaugurated Imo Youth Stakeholders Council as the statutory youth bodies passed vote of confidence on Governor Hope Uzodimma, and SA, amidst jubilation.

The meeting which held at the Imo youth center, Owerri, recently, witnessed the presence of all the heads of youth bodies in the state.

In his briefed speech, Hon. Eric Uwakwe thanked all the leaders of various youth wings across the state for their present at the stakeholders meeting, adding that it geared towards galvanizing the youths in various constituency.

He described the youths as major tools to development of every state, says youth have taking responsibility of their future stressed the need for them to come together as one.

Uwakwe, disclosed that the youths has the capacity and strength to move the state forward but required strategy to change the narrative charged the newly inaugurated leadership to reach out to their various constituency and work in synergy for better result, saying whom much is given much is expected.

He commended His Excellency, Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma for giving the youths opportunity to serve and urged all the statutory youth bodies in the state to continue to support Shared the Prosperity government who meant well for Ndi Imo.

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of Imo State Youth Stakeholders Council, Hon. Dr. Ekweghi Chijioke Pope, thanked the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Affairs Hon. Eric Uwakwe for the establishment and inauguration of “Imo youth Stakeholders Council”, as he described it as the first of it’s kind.

He promised that the leadership will change the narrative of Imo youths from negativity to positivity, pledging to support governor in security, empowerment, and in attracting international funding agencies commended the SA in his efforts to galvanized youths of the state.

Pope said, Imo youths having look at the performance of the government, in times of youth empowerment, infrastructural developmental strides and other projects witnessed across the state, have no option than to passed vote of confidence on Governor Hope Uzodimma as he has done credibly well.

The Chairman, noted that the Imo youths equally passed vote of confidence on Hon. Eric Uwakwe, noting that he has galvanized the youths of the state as well as doing his best even during the electioneering period, which metamorphosed into 27 over 27 as scored by Hope Uzodimma.

Pope, frowned and condemned the fraudulent activities of the NDDC Commissioner Hon. Kyrian Uchegbu whom he said allegedly misappropriate funds meant for the welfare of the Imo youths.

He revealed that three hundred and fifty million was released by the NDDC as Christmas package for the youths in Imo State, as he urged him to make funds available within 72 hours for onward disbursement to the statutory youth bodies duly registered.

Also speaking, Engr. Dr Ogechi Rabbi Ikpomo, thanked the Special Adviser Eric Uwakwe for finding him worthy to serve as the Secretary of Imo Youth Stakeholders Council, described the meeting involving stakeholders and all other youth bodies, heads of organization as wonderful, and will galvanize support to move the youths forward inline of positivity to ensure decorum and peace in the state which will forster development and progress.

In their separate speeches, Comr. Ugorji Emmanuel, State Chairman Niger Delta Youth Movement ( NDYM), said Uchegbu has no right to share something that belongs to the youth without the consent of the SA to the youth and other youth body who are registered and known for activities in the state.

He disclosed that Imo State is not the only Niger Delta states, adding nine states made up of Niger Delta, as he queried Uchegbu for using non existing association that can not be found in other Niger Delta states, describing the action as a way to syphon funds made for Imo youth.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Humphrey Osuji noted that NYCN are umbrella body of all the registered youth organization in Imo State, says those youth used by NDDC Chairman is not unknown to him and his office.

He advised him to redress his steps, noting that Imo youths are one and speak in one voice, adding that days are gone when you use money to divide the youth.

The Rt. Hon. Eze Ekewuba, the Speaker Imo Youth Parliament, said Imo youth have resolved and made their stand known within 72 hours, Uchegbu should return what belongs to them, revealed after 72 hours nothing happens they take their decision.

Comr. Chigozie Ori ( Elegam Face), called on the state government who appointed Hon. Kyrian Uchegbu as the NDDC Commissioner to call his attention to listen to youths of Imo State and do the needful. He said that governor will not gave an order against his people, revealing that Uchegbu have been parading himself tarnishing the image of the governor.

Meanwhile, the meeting also approved the election process of the NYCN, the convention of the Imo Youth Parliament, and the inauguration of the committee was also witnessed.