By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Following the peaceful conduct of the just concluded National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Anambra State Chapter election, the newly elected Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Surveyor Emeka Obi Chukwudi, has showered encomiums on Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his love for youths as well as for providing the enabling environment for NYCN's activities in the state.
Speaking shortly after he was sworn-in as the number one youth in Anambra State, Surv. Chukwudi expressed gratitude to God for His mercies and grace, which he said, was his driving force and source of inspiration.
Names of other elected Executive members are as follows:
Anambra Central: Obi Emeka Chukwudi - State Chairman; Onyeoka Emmanuel -Vice Chairman Central; Ebuka Nkenke -Legal Adviser; Okwuchukwu Okonkwo - Assistant PRO, Emmanuella Onwudinjo -Asst. Secretary Central.
Anambra South: Nadi Kingsley- Vice Chairman South, Maduako King Nwabueze -Secretary General, Onwurah Remigus - Asst. Secretary South, Okeke Augustine - Internal Auditor; Azor Onyinyechi - Social secretary
Voluntary youth organisation(VYOs): Ifedigbo Ifeanyi -PRO
Alakwe Chinasa P -Treasurer; Maduagbunam John Ikedinachukwu - Programme officer; Obiadi Esther Oluchukwu -Deputy Secretary
Anambra North: Peter Nnekwe -Vice chairman; Onyia Fidelis Ozo - Financial Secretary; Osakwe Chiamaka-Asst. Secretary North, Okoye Emmanuel Nonye - Deputy Programme; Officer; Ike Onuorah - Deputy Chairman
He thanked everyone who played one role or the other for the success of the election, especially
the Eleco Chairman, Comr. Nnamdi Malive, National Legal Adviser Barr. Bashir Garba and the Returning Officer Comr Temple Chika Chinedu (Former State Chairman Enugu State).
'I am overwhelmed with great joy by the outcome of this process which would never have been possible without the following people who i cannot fail to acknowledge.
'Firstly, I want to seize this moment to show my immense gratitude to His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, who through the critical youth stakeholder the Deputy Governor, HE. Dr. Onyekachukwu G. Ibezim who worked tirelessly day and night to see to the success of this election after series of postponement.
'If not the help of Dr. Onyekachukwu G. Ibezim, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State who stood his ground that there should be no further postponement and that this election must hold today and concluded with, me and my excos and by extension the entire youths of Anambra State can not thank him enough. May God bless him and keep him.
'The Commissioner of the State Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba who ensurde that this process is free and fair. Without their contributions and efforts, we wouldn't be here to witness this great day.
'I wish to assure the Governor of the unalloyed support of the council towards achieving the set goals for the youths of Anambra State as outlined by the government.
'I am forever indebted to the national body led by Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo and his very capable executives here present, who through the admirable leadership of the Vice President South East, Amb. Sir. Smart Uwakwe KSJI sacrificed their time, resources and nights, just to put to bed, the process of electioneering in making sure that the 2022 Unity Congress of National Youth Council of Nigeria Anambra State becomes a reality.
'I want to thank the Eleco and CPC and her members for their tenacity, courage, passion and zeal in standing by the constitutional provisions in this year's Unity Congress.
'With utmost gratitude, I recognize the great roles played by my leaders, Amb. Innocent Nduanya, Deputy President National Youth Council of Nigeria a worthy son of Anambra State, who in his magnanimity galvanized the elders in the State, through continuous engagements and interactions to see that the election holds, regardless of all challenges.
'I cannot not forget to mention the persons of Hon Nwabufo Nwankwo and Comr Frank Maduka, my leaders from the Central zone who oversaw the galvanization process and ensured that equity is upheld and that the voice of the people is heard. I must thank also the immediate past chairman of the council in Anambra state, Comr. Samuel Egwuatu who's roles towards this success cannot be forgotten in a moment.
'My gratitude goes to the Coordinators of the local government chapters whose doggedness in their decision is pivotal to this transition and their various community reps, who were patient enough and contributed in one way or the other in unifying the Council and making sure that the overall interest of the people was protected as the election lingered, I congratulate you for your resilience.
'I promise to ensure an inclusive administration as this is the only way we can truly build the council and as well the youths if Anambra state.
'Special thanks goes to the VYOs, CBOs, FBOs and my family and organization, the Man O War. Without your nomination and your platform, my candidature wouldn't have emerge in the first place. You are my first family and I remain eternally grateful.
'I wish to unequivocally, register my immense gratitude to our leader and the pioneer Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria Anambra State, Comr. Obunikem Asuzu, whom among many other things, fought for the soul of the Council in Anambra State, when all hope was lost and the State Council in disarray.
'Through his elderly advice, was able to galvanize every wearing faction for the purpose of restoring peace and harmony in the State. I wish to apologize for every way this process might have been a stress to you or brought any insult to your person. In like manner, I thank our leaders from different zones in the State for their various roles and contributions towards the success of this congress.
'I must State, that for me, this is not a victory, as I deeply share in the pain of all who have duly contested for the various positions available within the youth structure. I have to State that the table is wide and we can all sit on it. This administration will reach out to everyone as you all are stakeholders in this administration.
'During the course of this process, I voiced my commitment to the youths of Anambra State on some pertinent issues which this administration will be providing solutions for, at the top of which is the Youth house.
'We will as a matter of urgency liaise with the appropriate bodies to help resolve the issue surrounding the youth house and also constitute a committee that will be charged with actualizing the project of having a permanent youth house through the help of the appropriate ministries.
'We will ensure the youth house remain accessible and open for everyone and anyone at all time. We will make sure that the various youth organizations are dully carried along and must form a very important part of what we intend to achieve within this four years of our tenure.
'Our administration will run a transparent government and shall account for every penny that comes into and through my office. We will at intervals provide updates and present quarterly reports on our stewardship every year, to bring us up to speed on what and how we've managed the resources of the Council. This will be replicated at the local government levels for transparency and accountability.
'I cannot fail to thank my loving wife and beautiful children who would always receive me with open arms, many times that I've been bartered and bruised by this process. Their love has surely sustained me till this moment. As well as all my friends, benefactors and supporters who have made a lot of input to this process.
'I thank you for your time, patience and support. We pray that God will continue to unite us and strengthen us as we begin a new phase in building a formidable youth structure in Anambra State,' he concluded.