The Abia State Chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing has reaffirmed the critical importance of Community Youth Leaders in promoting peace, unity, grassroots development and meaningful youth participation across communities in the state.
The position was made known by the State Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Abia State Chapter, Comrade Ihunweze Ifeanyi, popularly known as TechNaija, during the August Town Hall Summit hosted for Community Youth Leaders in Abia State.
Addressing participants at the well-attended gathering, Comrade Ihunweze warmly welcomed youth leaders from different communities and described the summit as an important platform for discussing issues affecting Igbo youths and strengthening cooperation between young people and elders.
The Ohanaeze youth leader stressed that Community Youth Leaders remain indispensable to the activities and objectives of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing because they represent the voices, needs and aspirations of young people at the grassroots level.
According to him, communities and villages remain the foundation of society and governance, making Community Youth Leaders important partners in ensuring that the concerns of young people are properly communicated and addressed at the state, national and wider Ohanaeze levels.
He maintained that Igbo youths are as important to the future of the society as elders are to its stability and guidance, noting that both generations must work together to protect the collective interests of Ndi Igbo.
A major focus of the Town Hall Summit was the need to strengthen mutual respect between elders and youths within communities.
Comrade Ihunweze emphasised that peace, respect and understanding must exist between the older and younger generations if communities are to experience sustainable development.
He noted that the absence of peace and respect could frustrate collective aspirations and weaken efforts aimed at improving communities.
According to him, elders possess experience, wisdom and historical knowledge, while young people bring energy, innovation and fresh ideas needed to confront modern challenges.
He therefore called for stronger collaboration between both groups, stressing that neither elders nor youths could achieve meaningful community development in isolation.
The State Youth Leader also acknowledged that some individuals sometimes frustrate good intentions and development initiatives within communities. However, he expressed confidence that responsible, disciplined and development-oriented youths could help overcome such challenges.
He urged Community Youth Leaders to promote unity, good conscience and responsible participation in village meetings, community affairs and other decision-making processes.
The summit also focused on strengthening the capacity of Community Youth Leaders to guide, inspire and positively influence young people.
Participants were reminded of their core responsibilities as grassroots leaders and encouraged to become agents of positive social change in their respective communities.
The high-level engagement featured discussions involving Igbo elders, scholars and youth leaders, with participants examining ways of bringing fresh ideas and creative solutions to local challenges.
The discussions also explored strategies for bridging the gap between older and younger generations while building stronger relationships based on collaboration and mutual respect.
Issues relating to Igbo cultural values and norms, social justice, youth empowerment and community development were also brought to the forefront during the event.
Participants engaged in constructive dialogue on how youth councils, town unions and community organisations could work together to address social and economic challenges affecting communities across Igboland.
Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Comrade Ihunweze said the event provided an important opportunity for Community Youth Leaders to contribute their ideas and perspectives towards building more peaceful and progressive communities.
He reiterated that empowering young people was essential to building a stronger society, maintaining that youths must not be ignored in matters concerning the future of the Igbo nation.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Abia State Youth Leader also used the occasion to appeal to elders and stakeholders in Abia State to join efforts in advocating for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He described the matter as one requiring continued peaceful engagement and collective concern, calling on Abia elders to lend their voices to efforts seeking Kanu’s unconditional release by the Federal Government.
The event was held under the theme:
“Nsopuru Ndi Okenye na Mkpa Ndi Ntorobia N’ime Obodo Anyị”
(Respect for Elders and the Needs of Youths in Our Communities).
The theme formed the foundation for discussions centred on the importance of respecting elders while ensuring that the needs, concerns and aspirations of young people are not neglected.
The summit further provided Community Youth Leaders with an avenue to interact, share experiences and contribute ideas that could strengthen peace, unity and development at the grassroots.
Comrade Ihunweze said the renewed focus of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing was to ensure greater youth inclusion and participation while strengthening the relationship between young people and the traditional leadership structure across Igboland.
He also expressed optimism that the ideas and resolutions from the Town Hall Summit would help Community Youth Leaders return to their respective communities with a renewed commitment to responsible leadership, peace-building and youth development.
The gathering ended with a strong call for greater investment in young people and their future.
Participants were reminded that the development of any society is closely connected to how well its youths are guided, empowered and included in decision-making.
Finally, the State Youth Leader restated the importance of youth empowerment with the words:
“Build the youths, build the nation. Ignore the youths, ignore the nation. Empower the youths, empower the nation.”
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The event ended on a note of unity and renewed commitment by Community Youth Leaders to work with elders, scholars and other stakeholders in promoting peace, cultural values, responsible leadership and sustainable development across communities in Abia State and Igboland.
