Let’s Reorient The Youths For A Better Tomorrow, Comr. Smart Eferegbo Tells Elite
3 min read
by Pearl Harold
The Youth President of Ogbele community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Comr. Oriji Smart Eferegbo, has called on the elite and traditional leaders to reorient the youths to make them responsible members of society.
Eferegbo, who made the call in Ogbele community after the maiden congress of the youth body on Saturday, November 27th, added that allowing the youths to wallow in ignorance is like postponing the doom’s day.
He challenged the elite and traditional leaders to come up with a holistic programme that is aimed at pulling out the youths either from the forest or creeks and see the tremendous results they will get.
The community youth leader frowned at the exploitation of the youth by the elite and traditional leaders who use them for negative ventures.
On expectations by the people, Eferegbo said what is needed for him to achieve positive results is the co-operation and unity of purpose by his people.
“I am a ‘servant master’, my people’s co-operation is the key we as Exco need to bring about the desired change.
“I Am not going to run the government contrary to what they want. But I will assure everyone that whatever decisions agreed upon will be meticulously executed to the letter”, he promised.
He lampooned the oil and gas companies operating in his area on their many years of neglect, which he noted, had affected the people adversely instead of improving their lives.
The youth leader reiterated his readiness to partner and work with any company or group that will affect his people positively, warning that the days of shortchanging his people is gone for good.
In his words; “Is quite unfortunate that the oil and gas companies, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources PLC and Power Gas operating in my community have brought more misery and hardship to my people than the desired human capital and infrastructural development.
“This Exco believe in dialogue and mutual understanding. Confrontation does more harm than good, so it is not an option.
“We are ready to partner and work with whosoever, be it corporate or individual, that is sincere to attract or bring in the needed developmental change in our community.
“I warn those whose stock in trade is to shortchange my community to desist forthwith”.
It would be recalled that the community youths against natural and artificial odds elected Comr. Oriji Smart Eferegbo as their President, with Comr. Silas Chimela Banigo as General Secretary and Emmanuel Chizhim John, Treasurer.
Others are; Joshua O. Ogbogo – Vice President, Orisa Justice Ebenezer – Assistant General Secretary, Godwin Ake – Financial Secretary, Chisa Buduka Edward Odoi – Public Relations Officer, Bliss Iyeumabuaye Ezegwogwo – Welfare/Organizing Secretary and Professor Chisa Banigo – Provost l.
Earlier in the meeting, the Congress ratified the nominees for Environmental/ Sanitation, Health/Education, Task Force, Security and Social/Cultural committees, which were inaugurated by the Youth President.
