Ohanaeze Youth Council Inaugurates Ebonyi Leadership, Tasks Members on Accountability, Community Development

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has inaugurated its new leadership for the Ebonyi State chapter with a strong charge on youth accountability, value-driven leadership, and active participation in community development.

Speaking during the inauguration in Abakaliki ,the Ebonyi State capital, the National President of OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, described the Council as a watchdog of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and a defender of Igbo interest. He emphasized that the Council would continue to hold Igbo leaders accountable, commend good leadership where necessary, and challenge any form of oppression against the Igbo people. Igboayaka expressed concern over what he described as longstanding leadership anomalies, stressing that the Council is determined to groom a new generation of Igbo leaders with integrity and selflessness.

According to him, selfishness among past leaders contributed significantly to developmental setbacks in various communities. He lamented the deplorable state of public facilities across Igbo land, particularly schools and health centres, which he compared to poultry farms. He urged the newly inaugurated leaders to embark on needs assessments in their communities and channel their findings to state governments, patrons, and relevant authorities for intervention.

The OYC President further encouraged freedom of ideas within the Council, noting that constructive contributions remain vital to strengthening the organisation’s mission and achieving sustainable development.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Acting Chairman of the OYC, Ebonyi State Council, Hon. Sabastine Obiya, commended the national leadership for finding him worthy of the role. He pledged total commitment to advancing the core vision of the Council in the state. Obiya lauded Igboayaka’s unwavering passion for defending Igbo interests and criticised the increasing partisanship among some traditional rulers, saying such behaviour undermines their neutrality and distorts justice delivery at the community level. He urged the national leadership to engage traditional rulers more deeply to ensure they maintain neutrality in political affairs.

He assured that his administration would foster unity among Ebonyi youths and build a formidable, responsible youth force whose voice will contribute meaningfully to good governance. According to him, the new leadership will work toward strengthening the Council’s presence and impact across the state. Obiya reaffirmed his commitment to promoting positive advocacy that would enhance development and uphold Igbo values, adding that the Council under his watch would remain a beacon of accountability, youth empowerment, and community progress. The event brought together stakeholders, traditional leaders, and youth representatives committed to strengthening the Igbo cause.