The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo has reiterated his commitment towards youth development.
The council boss who gave the assurance assured when received in audience the Commissioner for Youth in Rivers State, Dr Chisom Gbali, maintained that he would not disappoint the youths.
In his words: “My emergence as the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not make him forget his roots as a youth leader in the state.”
“I am still a part of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and the ministry of Youth Development by extension and will do my best for the growth of young people in the state.
“I am not only the chairman of Obio/Akpor local government area but the Chairman of the youth in Rivers state, so I will ensure that whatever it will take we will continue to support the ministry of Youth Development because I am a product of the apex youth body in the state, I will not disappear nor stop supporting and engaging in youth activities because I am now a council chairman, I cannot do that so be rest assured of my total support to your ministry.”
The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Amb. Ihunwo who also frowned at the decision by some traditional rulers to meddle into the affairs of youth bodies in the state, enjoined them to desist from doing so.
“Most of our traditional rulers, they are youth leaders, CDC chairmen, in short, they are everything and this has led to crisis in many communities but as a council we are working on modalities to address some of these abnormally”, he further stated.
Earlier in his remark, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Chisom Gbali said the visit was to seek ways on how his ministry can work together with the Obio Akpor Local Government council.
Dr. Gbali while congratulating Amb Ihunwo on his victory in the October 5th local government election said his emergence as the chairman of Obio/Akpor local government area was not a coincidence but a reward for hard work, commitment and resilience.
He said: “Mr chairman, let me say that you are more than qualified to occupy this office as the Executive chairman of Obio Akpor, you were one of the early birds that came out openly to support our boss, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara when enemies of the state attempted to impeach him more than a year ago for no just cause, you did this at the detriment of your life and family members, standing firm with the governor through thick and thin, I implore you to sustain this support no matter the challenges that you may encounter on the road.”
He requested for an area of collaboration to develop the council area.
The permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs Ruhuoma Chinedu Kejeh also graced the event.