Far away, from his comfort zone in the United States of America, USA, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Uke’s heart and spirit sought and connected with the deprivations, the challenges and unease of youths in his Fatherland. Courtesy of  rapidly sprouting Information Technology, he kept in touch with his Ikwuano roots, especially the youths on almost hourly basis. His interactions with them via the social media during the 2023 General Elections was sometimes heated and explosive. Some expressed their views in extreme and volcanic outbursts, but a democrat in soul and spirit, Dr Uke found a meeting point with the extremists, the liberals and the moderates. He embraced all in love and brotherhood, but like Paul the Apostle, he also sought for an exchange of warmth and affection beyond what technology could offer.

Eze Ben Oriaku addressing the youths

His heart’s desire became a reality on May 30, 2023 at the Council Hall, Isiala, headquarters of Ikwuano LG. Arriving Nigeria earlier, he scheduled a meeting and finally met one on one with many he had only interacted with via the social media The meeting tagged an interactive session between him and the youths featured conversations on how to ‘Appraise the role of Ikwuano Youths in Politics and Governance; Discussions on  how to deepen Peace and Unity in Ikwuano and how to fashion out ‘Modalities for Youths Empowerment/Entreprenurship Training’

Like all great ideas, Dr Uke’s vision quickly attracted other notable Ikwuano progressives including former member of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chukwuemeka Osoagbaka; The Constitutional lawyer and civil rights activist, Dr Monday Ubani; HRH Eze Ben Oriaku, Dikeukwu of Umudikeukwu, the Nwaka brothers, (Chief Osinachi Nwaka and Pastor Mike Nwaka) and several others too numerous to mention

The various community youth leaders also bought into the vision and thus on the D-Day, the Council Hall Isiala was filled to capacity. The gathering cut across political party lines.

After the opening prayers,  Dr Monday Ubani  declared the session open  by observing that the new dawn in Abia State portends great things for Ikwuano as henceforth, the LG will take its rightful position in Ikwuano and will no longer be subjected to playing a second fiddle.

According to him, since Ikwuano was in the forefront for change in Abia and played significant roles in the victory of Dr Alex Otti and the Labour Party, they will get what is rightfully theirs in new political dispensation.  He pointed out that  Ikwuano has produced high networth personalities in the commanding heights of the economy and polity both at home and in the Diaspora and are in good stead to pool both resources and goodwill for the socio-economic development of Ikwuano, for instance he said the current CEO of Access Bank plc, Mr Rooselvet Ogbonna is from Ikwuano, and could always be accessed to  contribute to the upliftment of Ikwuano.

He also eulogised the youths for being in the forefront for a new dawn in Abia, and described them as the backbone of any community. To make progress, he emphasised that Ndi Ikwuano must be united and be their brothers keeper, and strive to walk in love and goodconscience. Thereafter, he applauded Dr Ifeanyichukwu Uke for the vision in convening the interactive session with the youths for the sole purpose of charting a new course for the development, oneness and progress of Ikwuano youths in particular and the entire Ikwuano LG in general.

Dr Ubani who earlier led the audience in praise worship prayed fervently for the youths and commanded God’s blessings on them.

Next to make remarks at the session was HRH Eze Ben Oriaku, the Dikeukwu of Umudikeukwu The Royal Father was in his elements as the Father of the occassion as he offered fatherly counsel and instructions to the effect that Ikwuano youths must shape up if they wish to remain relevant in the fast changing world. Eze Ben empathised with the youths, noting that youths undergo several trials and challenges. To ease their burden, he urged them to seek mentorship and guidance from those they see as role models so that they could be tutored and equiped for a better tomorrow.

The Royal Father dished out several take away to the youths; Amongst others he urged them to ‘package’ themselves. “You are addressed as you dressed”, he declared, stressing that proper grooming and sensible dress code is a must for any youth who aspires to reach the top and mix with the shakers and movers of society.

“Avoid the cocky attitude of ‘I have arrived’, the Royal Father added explaining that change is a permanent feature of life

Waxing spiritual, the Royal Father emphatically declared that any youth who excludes the ‘God factor’ in his/her life would certainly miss the best of life. “Embrace God and give Him the central place in your life”, he urged  the youths and concluded by praying God’s blessings and guidance upon their life.

Next to speak at the occasion was Sam Ogbonna, the Coordinator of The Ifeanyi Uke Foundation which he described as the vehicle Dr Ifeanyichukwu Uke had been using since 2018 to empower Ndi Ikwuano and offer them a quality lifestyle. “The Ifeanyi Uke Foundation has quietly touched several lives in Ikwuano. The Foundation has paid and continues to pay school fees of indigent students. Many have been registered for WASC and JAMB by the Foundation.  Artisans and small-scale business persons and traders have been given start-up capitals to jump-start their businesses.

Mr Ogbonna revealed that the Foundation is fully registered with the CAC and are willing to partner with any Ikwuano son or daughter, but he advised those seeking assistance from The Foundation to have a definite idea of what business they want to start; To have a feasibility of such business and be conversant with the business as applicants are thoroughly screened to weed out  unserious persons.

The moderator for the main business of the day, Mr Wilson Onwubali, President, Ikwuano Graduates Forum, IGF,  next introduced the agenda for the interactive session namely: ‘Appraising the role of Ikwuano Youths in Politics and Governance; Peace and Unity in Ikwuano and Modalities for Youths Empowerment/Entreprenurship Training’  Thereafter, he invited all present to proffer their views on the two broad topics.

First to speak was Comrade Cookey Nwachukwu, the immediate past Vice-Chairman of Ikwuano LG. According to him some youths have come to regard ‘Economic Empowerment’ as a dash from politicians and therefore, even if substantially empowered do not often fully utilize such empowerment package. He suggested that Economic Empowerment must be treated as a serious business where prospective beneficiaries should be thoroughly screened, given adequate orientation and training and if possible be made to commit own capital to intended business.

Mr Ogaranya Ifemeje who spoke on politics and governancer lamented that our past leaders failed to set good example for the upcoming youths and should therefore be discarded as role models

In his contribution, Mr Anthony Mpama proffered that the way forward for economic empowerment of youths is the establishment of ‘Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training Centre in Ikwuano’

Taking to the floor, Mr Paulo Nwagbara urged Ndi Ikwuano to adopt the Nnewi app I’mrenticeship model which has been used to make Nnewi one of the most prosperous community in Nigeria. He explained that the Nnewi Apprenticeship Model thrives on skill acquisition and provision of start-up capital to anyone who undergoes skill acquisition training successfully and  certified proficient in a trade or vocation. Such a person is thereafter provided with start-up capital to start chosen business.

Another contributor, Mr Osondu Chinasaokwu ‘Kuti’ fully amplified the necessity for youths to either chose to be fully educated or to learn a vocation or entrepreneurship skill. “There is no middle way, either get educated and acquire certificates or degrees or go and learn a trade or vocation. He nonetheless empahised that basic education is a must for any visionary youth.

Finally, Dr Uke took to the floor. First, he appreciated all in attendance for honouring his invitation, saying he was overjoyed to see the massive turnout.

Secondly, he decried lack of unity among Ndi Ikwuano. He preached for all to embrace onennesss and brotherliness, stressing that without unity no tangible progress or development can be achieved. “Let us discard clannishness and embrace each other in love and friendship”, he urged.

Thirdly, Dr Uke said he had gained insight from the contributions of the speakers. He promised that his take away from the gathering is the need to have a ‘Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training Centre in Ikwuano’, promising it woul d a reality in the nearest future .

Chief  Nwaka keyed in to offer more props to the youths how to position themselves in life. According to him, three currencies: Time, Ideas and Relationship determine the difference between success and failure.   He threw several posers to the youths: How do you use your time? Do you have ideas that could add value to the life of others? How do you relate to others? Finding the right answers to the questions would make all the difference in their life he said.

Finally,  as the day was far spent, curtains was drawn on the session with a closing prayer by Dr Ubani and closing remarks by Comrade Enyinnaya Chiedozie, Transition Committee Vice-chairman at Ikwuano LGA

Present at the event include the Members-elect for Ikwuano State Constituency in the House of Assembly,  Hon Boniface Isienyi; the President Ikwuano Youths Leaders Forum, Comrade Santiago Agomuo who is also the President, Youths Forum of Ikwuano Development Union Federated, IDU-F;  Comrade Martin Omeruo, Chairman of NULGE, Ikwuano chapter,  and chairman, Ohanaeze Youths Council, Ikwuano chapter plus several others.