Posted by By Alloy Khenom on
A 21-member executive of the OgoniYouth Council (OYC) was on Thursday, August 17, 2005 sworn in at the Suanu Finimale Nwika Conference Hall, Bori, headquarters of Khana local government area in Rivers State.
A 21-member executive of the OgoniYouth Council (OYC) was on Thursday, August 17, 2005 sworn in at the Suanu Finimale Nwika Conference Hall, Bori, headquarters of Khana local government area in Rivers State.
The body is headed by a popular youth in the state, Mr. Marvin Yorbana as its president.
Other officers of the OYC include Hon. Johnson Nwogu (deputy president), while Messrs Lekia Nwiko Andrew, Amstel Gbarakpor, Hon Don. Mesua and Engr. James Bebe are 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th vice presidents respectively.
The rest are Messrs Matthew Dike (secretary), Laka Deekia Ollonaale (assist. sec), Geoffrey Gokana (treasurer), and Kpobari Nseghe (publicity secretary).
Four others namely Lekia Anya, Peter Zabbey, Hon. Uelor Bob II Nkue and Obari Ollormate Ollor were sworn in as auditors 1, 2, 3 and 4 in that order.
Mr. George Abam is financial secretary, while the bi-lingual Temple Amadi becomes the organizing secretary.
Another well-known youth, Mr. Solomon Ndigbara was sworn in as the provost, with Messrs Friday Baridor, Koteh Brown, Brownson Nkpene and Isaac Obe as Ex-officio members 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The list containing the names of the OYC executive was endorsed by the four chairmen of Ogoni LGAs, but only Dr. (Hon.) Jacobson Nbina of Tai attended the crowded ceremony and performed the swearing in.
He charged the OYC not to regard itself as a separate government, but partners in progress with the elected council chairmen, traditional rulers and all law-abiding people of Ogoni nationality.
Dr. Nbina assured them of the support and co-operation of the relevant authorities in the area as long as they operate within the context of the law and for the interest of the Ogonis.
The chairman of Gokana LGA, Chief (Hon.) Fred Kpakol, however, turned up minutes later and announced that his earlier absence was due to a brief but unscheduled visit to his council by the state governor, Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili to inspect progress of work on the Kira-Dere-Mogho road project.
Why the chairmen of Eleme, Ejor Ngowah Ejor and the expected host, Kingsley Leh were absent at the ceremony remained inexplicable and baffling to the attendants, even as sources said such attitude was fast becoming a culture with the two men. The council chairmen and other authorities in Ogoni warned against any unnecessary protests or opposition among the youths.
In his post inaugural speech, the president of Ogoni Youth Council, Mr. Marvin Yorbana described the event as an important landmark in the history of the Ogoni nationality.
The diminutive but well-connected Ogoni youth leader said the purpose for the formation of the body is to work in collaboration with relevant authorities to maintain peace and foster positive development in Ogoniland.
Mr. Yorbana said the OYC shall also undertake creative ventures that would assist Ogoni youths to become productive and independent, adding that seminars, symposia, workshops and conferences that would provide skills and information necessary for advancement of youths and the area in general shall also form a part of the OYC agenda.
According to him, the OYC also intend to provide assistance and security in communities affected by either natural or man-made disasters such as flood, fire and oil spill.
He thanked those who worked to ensure the formation of the body as well as the success of the inauguration, and cautioned youths of the area against indulging in social vices such as drug trafficking, consumption and cultism.
The OYC national president thanked Governor Odili for donating two 18-seater buses to the OYC and pledged the support and loyalty of the body to the state administration.
Speaking to journalists at the occasion, the Vice Chairman of Khana local government, Hon. Tambeke Gbarakoro called on the OYC officials to regard their election as a tool for peace and unity of purpose to justify the primary objective behind its formation.
Hon. Gbarakoro asked them to regard their swearing in as the end to any form of disunity that may have earlier existed in the area to enable them carry all the kingdoms along.
The council VeeCee reminded them that they would be needed in the day-to-day activities in Ogoniland, hence the need for them to live up to expectation and express the need for all Ogoni youths to identify with the Marvin-led exco.
He advised them to always report any noticeable problem to the traditional rulers and the chairmen of the LGAs with urgency to enable all stakeholders provide equal solution and move the place forward.
The present exco of the OYC shall remain in office for three years before new election is made.