From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The newly elected Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Barrister Chinedu Augustine Uburu, Tuesday inaugurated the Executives of the Ishieke Youth Assembly (IYA) and called for healthy affection, serenity and harmony among the citizens of the ancient Ishieke Mgbomeze Kingdom.
Barr Uburu made the call on the occasion of the 2022 Ishieke Youth Conference held at the Odomoke Ishieke Community Primary School in Ebonyi LGA.
He described the conference as an important one, as it gave the people, the opportunity to exchange pleasantries and brainstorm ways to move Ishieke as a clan forward.
He appreciated the organisers of the event, the Ishieke stakeholders and their neighbourhoods for their contributions to the unity and progress of the ancient Ishieke Kingdom, promising that he would not allow the dream to die when sworn in.
He commended Governor David Umahi's led administration for the construction of the Late Eze Nwiboko Obodo road with a solid concrete-based pavement, the appointment of the illustrious sons and daughters of the Ishieke clan as his cabinet members and other quality projects built in the area.
Earlier, the former Nigeria Minister, Chief Godwin Ogbaga commended the youth, urging them to pilot their affairs with a spectacular perception of love, peace, unity and a progressive agenda.
Also speaking, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Matthias Adum said the youth conference showed that the hope of the Ishieke people has not been lost, considering the present battered nature of the country.
He expressed optimism that with the inauguration of the youth assembly leadership, and sensitization held during the event, the members would put in a proper perspective to change the ugly narratives of the ancient Ishieke Mgbomeze Kingdom.
He pointed out that Ishieke right from old Anambra and the Enugu State respectively has been the largest community, and even in Ebonyi State today.
He charged the Ishieke youth not to relent in their efforts to return the past bequeathed glories of the clan while assuring them of the stakeholders' assistance to position the community, Izhi nation and Ebonyi State better.
The Chairman of the Occasion, HRH Eze Augustine Nwego, the Ezeoha 1 of Ikorodo Lagos, described the packaging of the event as a fantastic one.
He commended the orderliness of the youth during the program and urged them to sustain the tempo.
"I advise them to continue to run an inclusive government, let them create more awareness among other youth from different communities.
"They can extend it to other communities, and the other local government areas.
"Let them emulate what they are doing in their localities, and by so doing, youth who were seen as jobless people can create jobs," Eze Nwego advised.
He urged them to shun politics of bitterness, thuggery, and social vices but to acquire skills and other momentous businesses.
Chief Augustine Epete, a Lagos-based businessman commended the youth for coming together to celebrate as brothers and sisters without minding the multiplication of the ancient Ishieke Kingdom into six different autonomous communities nowadays.
Barrister Benjamin Ikeagwu, a Legal Practitioner Based in Onitsha, Anambra State, described the occasion as a crucial get-together by Ishieke Youth Assembly, "which implies that we are one and our people will continue to be one."
He said the occasion was a call for solidarity and unity, to return the lost glories of the Ishieke people and commended the organisers, saying "the Ishieke Youth Assembly is a child of circumstances because the clan had been torn apart by clannish rivalries, politically and otherwise."
Comrade Vincent Nwogbodo, the representative of the Coordinator of Ebonyi Development Centre, Hon Victor Nwobasi, commended the inauguration and the flag off of Ishieke Youth Assembly while expressing confidence that the damming glory of the clan would be brought back to limelight.
Other speakers during the event including the President of the Ishieke Youth Assembly, Evangelist Clement Ugochukwu Iteshi, the Chairman Organising Committee and the Vice President of the Ishieke Youth Assembly, Comrade Moses Nwodom (aka Zion), among others expressed joy over the success records of the event, saying that their dream later came to pass since 2018 they began nurturing about the Ishieke Youth Conference and August mass return.
The occasion attracted the PDP Candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Victor Aleke, the PDP Candidate for Ebonyi North-West State Constituency - Prince Barrister Obinna Iteshi, APC Candidate for Ebonyi North-West State Constituency - Barrister Aloysius Nwodo, other revered personalities from Ishieke land, Izhi Nation including the President of the Oha Izhi Nnodo, HRH Eze Sunday Nkwegu Oketa, the Chairman of the Izhi Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Fidelis Nwonumara, and other traditional rulers of the land, politicians, business dealers, academicians, etc.
