Int’l Youth Week: Ebonyi Sports Commissioner, Over 500 Others Defy Downpour on Endurance Road Walk

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Richard Idike, alongside over 500 youths from the state’s 13 local government areas, on Monday defied a heavy downpour to participate in an endurance trek ahead of the grand finale of the International Youth Day celebration. The road walk, which commenced at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, featured a sensitization tour through Water Works, Ogoja Road, International Market, and Sperea In Deo, before climaxing back at the stadium.

Addressing journalists shortly after, Hon. Idike represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hilary Obiesie commended the participants for their resilience and determination to rewrite the story of youth in the state. He described young people as a strong pillar of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration and urged them to sustain the voter card sensitization campaign while shunning drug abuse.

Ebonyi State NYCN Council Chairman, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, lauded the massive turnout, noting that the walk was one of many activities marking the annual youth celebration. He said the voter card sensitization was crucial to achieving the council’s “Five Million Votes” target for Ebonyi, aimed at mobilizing citizens to participate in the next general elections and to demonstrate support for President Bola Tinubu. "Our youth have begun to embrace greater ideals aligned with Governor Nwifuru’s manifesto, which has contributed to a reduction in crime across the state,” Ochishi stated. “We encourage everyone to come out tomorrow for the grand finale with the same enthusiasm they showed today despite the rain.”

State NYCN Secretary and Chairman of the 2025 International Youth Week Planning Committee, Comrade Nwakpu Onuoha Omenyi, stressed that the current administration has integrated youth into leadership positions, from cabinet members to ward councillors. He said the “Not Too Young To Run” mantra is being put into practice in Ebonyi and urged youths to take advantage of the grand finale to acquire skills that will empower them beyond politics.

The road walk drew participation from NYCN members across all 13 LGAs, the Izzi Nnodo Youth Council led by Dr. Chibueze Elom, Ikwo Nnoyo Youth Consultative Forum led by Dr. Onyinyechi Nwankwo, Ebonyi SWAN led by Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha, Ivo Youth Leader, among others. The grand finale of the International Youth Week celebration is scheduled for Tuesday at Re-Meritona Hotel and Suites, Abakaliki.