15/09/2021
HOPE IKIRIKO ATTRIBUTES PROBLEMS OF YOUTHS ELECTIONS TO THE YOUTH BODIES.
…Urges The Youth Bodies To Stop Creating More Problems By getting Revalidated and Profiled.
…Hon. Commissioner declares Illegal, The Election Of Ubio, Ogoda, Owube, Oshiobele, And Oyigba Community Youth Bodies. As he Commended Hope Ikiriko.
The Executive Chairman Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. (Evang.) Hope O. Ikiriko CNA., on Monday 13th September 2021, attributed problems of Youth’s elections to the youth bodies. He made these attributes during an Ahoada West Advocacy Youth Meeting with Youth Bodies, Security Agencies, Stakeholders and the Honorable Commissioner Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development held on Monday 13th September, 2021 at the Modern Town hall, Akinima, the Local Government Headquarters.
According to the Chairman, "This program is a very sensitive program. I am sure; it is because of the nature of the program that you committed yourself to be here. May I appreciate you all as I welcomed you here, to enlighten us on the few things that are related to youth development. This is the first of its kind and I must commend the initiatives of the Ministry of Youth Development River State ably led by the Commissioner, Hon. Prince Ohia. The reason is because; there are lots, of confusion in terms of how the youth body should be regulated, in terms of how you operate, in terms of who you can take your directives from regarding youths activities.
I am glad that, he may have seen you in this condition, which could degenerate to anarchy in the society, and he has come to nip it in the board. In addition, he has come to give direction on how you can operate, and effectively coexist amongst yourselves.
I must make bold to say that; the problems are set, by the youth bodies, who know where to take direction from the Government but decided to form a parallel Government headed by the Traditional Rulers. With all due respect to them, for Ahoada West in Particular, I work very closely with the traditional Rulers and they have tried on their part to limit themselves to their traditional functions, as stipulated by the state law but the youth bodies would not let them be. The youth bodies should stop creating more problems by running to the Traditional institution for issues unrelated the Traditional Institution.
You must obey the directives from the Government. Either directly from the State Government or through the Local Government, we are here to serve you. If you fail to do so, anywhere there is problem, breakdown of law and order or a breach of security, we will not fail to hold that traditional Ruler or the Community Chief responsible if their involvement in your activities will cause breach of peace.
They are here to advise you, educate you and to open your eyes. Some of you came to these positions without having your terms of reference as stipulated by your own constitution; some of you do not have constitution. Please, I beg of you, get registered with the Ministry of Youth Development and follow the guidelines for revalidation and profiling as directed by the Ministry. That way, you will not have problems in conducting your elections and in your activities as a youth body, instead of running to me every day for youth related matter. Going forward, any youth body that fail to be registered and follow the guidelines for Revalidation and profiling, will cease to exist in the Local Government and will not be part any Government activities".
In a stern warning to the youth, the Chairman cautioned that; "I will also set my tentacles on you, any youth leader who is found to be a cultist, the Local Government will go after him. This is because, anyone who is a cultist, is not ready to hold any Public office".
Permanent Secretary Dr. Roland Obed Whyte, who commended the Council Chairman for providing a platform for a strategic discussion while speaking on Government guidelines and revalidation of Youths bodies said:
“I'm happy and must Congratulate and applaud the Council Chairman for giving us this platform. I am happy with the presence of the security agencies and other youth organization the Chairman has mobilized. This is part of our strategic partnership arrangements. This is because if not for him, I doubt if we will legally handle this town hall meeting. We are here for an advocacy visit and town hall meeting, basically to give you information and sensitize you on relevant areas as it relates to our responsibilities with regards to Youths Organization development. This Ministry has mission and vision. And part of the vision, is to see how we can develop the youths of Rivers State to achieve their full potentials so as to be self reliance, self dependent and to the productive aspects of the State. These assignments are carried out with critical stakeholders like Ministries and Agencies from the Federal Government, State Government and Local Government.
This is one of the key reasons, we are here to highlight, on regional, ethnic and Community based Youths organization. It is important to let you understand why most of the voluntary youth organizations are affiliated, to the National Youths Council of Nigeria in Rivers State. The regulations, coordination, supervisions of Regional, Community and Ethnic based Youths organization is handled by National Youths Council of Nigeria Rivers State Chapter.
In course of explaining the Electoral Procedures for Youth Elections, the Permanent Secretary said: “To conduct any Youths election, the organization must apply to the Ministry of Youths development in 2 to 3 months interval before the election. Thus, the date, venue, list of electoral committee, candidates list with phone number will be Attached".
On the part of the commissioner while charging the youths, he reemphasized that; “The Meeting is to let know the essence of Registering and revalidating your Youth Bodies and the need for your organization to be profiled with the Security Agencies. The Governor in his magnanimity lifted the ban on Youths activities in the State with a condition of ensuring that cultist and other criminal minded people are not elected into Youth Offices.
The reason for the revalidation is to bridge the gap between the Local Government, Traditional Rulers, youth bodies and Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development and to be in symbolic relationship. The profiling of the Youth Bodies is to ensure that the Security Agencies that are vested with such power; profile, give adequate and proper information of the person running for any Youth Office. This is because, we have said no to cult related activities by the youth, you as a youth must also say no to cult related activities.He said, if you must operate as a Youth Bodies in Rivers State, you must respect the traditional Rulers and constituted authorities. Just as we will not allow the Traditional Rulers to wield an over bearing influence on the Youth Bodies.
The commissioner, while commending the Youth Friendly effort of the Council Chairman said: “While we are aware of your Youth Friendly administration, we advise to continue training, engaging and investment in Youth”. On the role of youth organization, he explained the roles and responsibilities of Youth in the Community Development to include Community Surveillance and security in liaison with the Security Agencies, been a pivotal in advancing the development of the community. The Executive Chairman has the power to dissolve any Youth Body for security reasons.
On the youths Election and in declaring some Youths body Elections Illegal the Hon. Commissioner, said: “Ubio, Ogoda, Owube, Oshiobele, and Oyigba Community Youth organizations, conducted an election without the recognition and approval from the Ministry of Youth development and Government of Rivers State. Therefore, It is on this note, I declare those Elections illegal and not recognized by the Government”.
In all, the Council Chairman, urged the Youths of Ahoada West, to ensure that they put in their best in terms of skill and educational development, and not depending on the parents and Government for sustainability.
An event that, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Chairman National Youths Council of Nigeria Rivers State Chapter, gave the vote of thanks, had also Heads of Security Agencies in Ahoada West Local Government, Mr. Loveday C. Agbom Director (NSM) Ministry of Youths development Rivers State, Revd. Christian Amadi (HOD) Youths Education, Lawrence Omunakwe; (HOD ADMIN), Samuel Miebaka D; (HOD YEBP), Godwin Raphael; Chief of staff Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr. Promise Jacob; SSA Admin and General Services, Mr Bright Ite; Ekeye Youth Congress (EYC) President and his Executives, Niger Delta Youth Parliament Representatives, Clan Youths Presidents and their Executives, Niger Delta Youth Movement, PYNM representatives, Community, Youths leaders across the Communities in the Ahoada West with their Executives, and other Youths organizations.
Madu Dab Madueke,
Chief Press Secretary (CPS)
To the Executive Chairman,
Ahoada West, Rivers State,
Wednesday 15th September 2021.
