‘ You are examplary ‘, Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing tells Okeke-Ogene

Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

Anambra State President of the Apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo,Youth wing, Hon Comrade Chukwuma Okpalaezukwu yesterday described the leadership of the Anambra state President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene as quintessential and examplary.

Okpalaezukwu made the observation at the end of a capacity building forum organized for the youth wing in Awka by the Anambra state chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

He described Chief Okeke-Ogene a man with true Igbo spirit, appreciating the love and care from him and his executive for the youth wing . He reassured that they would use all they have learnt under him for the advantage of the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing.

The President of Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing Anambra state insisted that Chief Okeke-Ogene is a father and mentor to the youths whose footsteps they would follow to enable them uphold his legacies as responsible youth leaders.

Earlier, the Anambra State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Chief Damian Okeke Ogene challenged Igbo Youths particularly the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing to strive to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to equip themselves adequately for future leadership roles and responsibilities.

Chief Okeke-Ogene made it clear that he has no intention of seeking reelection at the end of his tenure by December and urged the youths to remain focused to give selfless service and remain worthy ambassadors of Ndigbo.

The Forum attracted the leadership of Youth wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo from the twenty one local government areas of Anambra state.

Chief Okeke-Ogene expressed satisfaction that Ohaneze Ndigbo Anambra State under his tenure distinguished itself in accountability and transparency as well as carrying everybody along in the drive to achieve the Igbo agenda.

He noted that the Organization equally established enviable standard of working relationship with other stakeholders including the government of the day without compromising the status of Ohaneze Ndigbo in any form.

Chief Okeke-Ogene explained that leadership requires self discipline and commitment to collective welfare of others without seeking for reward and explained that Ohaneze Ndigbo is a united family with clear vision and aspirations to actualize the set goals.

He urged the youths to imbibe virtues of humility, tolerance , honesty and perseverance as well as shun social vices, crime and other acts capable of smearing their personalities and endangering their lives.

Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene as he is fondly called admonished the members of the youth wing of the association to shun acts capable of portraying the organization in a bad light, exhorting them to be worthy ambassadors

Ohanaeze President warned against unbridled quest for materialism, avarice and sycophancy. He thanked them for all they had done so far, urging them to sustain the tempo.

His words: ‘I am here to advice you people. I want to teach you people important lessons of life. We are grooming you people for the task ahead. Be a good ambassador. I am always open to you people. Come to me anytime you like. Emulate Zik and others and do sometime with your youthful lives. Some of you are old enough to replace us. All you need is to work on yourselves, actions and deeds,’ he said.

Ogene said that the present executive was rated the best in the country in terms of accountability, unity, love, and achievements by Chief Nnia Nwodo led Ohanaeze Ndigbo, noting that they were the only chapter that were up to date in filing returns at the end of every year, adding that their achievements were there for all to see.

‘As we are about leaving office, we expect you all to sit up. Study us and pick all the positives. Make use of all you have learnt from us. Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth wing is totally different from other youth organizations. You have to be mindful of your activities. We have placed the chapter to an enviable height.

‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth are known for decency, self worth, humility and respect. We don’t expect you people behave like touts or thugs. Ensure you’re decorous. Work in unison. Cooperate with one another. Be transparent, accommodating and loving.

‘We will take delight in seeing you people prosper and do exploits. We are getting old, we are here to give a chance, guide and direction. It is our collective wishes to see all of you do better than us. Myself, the Secretary, Chief Mike Nnakwuzie, the administrative secretary, Chief Luke Onyekaonwu and all other executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Anambra State chapter will be happy to see all of you succeed,’ Okeke-Ogene prayed.