UMUCHU – The youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Wednesday said that it would commence a campaign tagged “Think Home” among the Igbo living outside their area.
The group said the campaign was part of their efforts to ensure the development of the South East geo-political zone.
The interim President of the group, Mr Tony Ezekwelu, announced the plan in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra during a visit to a business man, Chief Godwin Ezeemo.
Ezekwelu said the visit was to announce Ezeemo’s appointment as the state mentor/patron as well as solicit his sponsorship for a proposed construction of Ohaneze Youth Centre in Awka.
“We have resolved to begin a campaign to encourage our kit and kin outside to think home and for us to reclaim our rightful position in the socio-political affairs of the country.
“We also want to propagate Igbo culture at the grassroots and fashion out programmes that will provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths,” he said.
Ezekwelu commended Ezeemo for citing his businesses in his home town, saying that the idea had helped to provide jobs for youths in the community and also brought about development.
While urging other Igbo leaders to emulate Ezeemo, Ezekwelu appealed to well-meaning people of the state to support the organisation’s proposed Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu sports tournament.
The president said the tournament was aimed at instilling discipline in youths and curbing crime.
Responding, Ezeemo thanked the members of the organisation for thinking him worthy to be their mentor, saying that Igbo leaders were not sincere in pursuing the agenda of the zone.
He regretted that the youths who were supposed to bring the desired change were being used by elders to foment trouble in the society.
“The Igbo have the intelligence and resources to be a nation but we are using them negatively against ourselves. The elders deceive the youth, using them to destroy their opponents.
“Our fortunes will change tremendously the moment we start recognising the poor and down trodden in the society.
“If I am going to be your role model, then we have to take the same stand. We have to say no to deceit, we have to fight to secure a good future for our children,” Ezeemo said.
He said his foundation was financing a voter awareness exercise in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA) and urged them to help ensure that votes count in the 2015 election. (NAN)
