…as congress extends the tenure of NEC members by 2-years.
The President-General of Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana during OYF get-together congress held in Nyobe Bangha Community, Khana Local Government Area on the 31st December, 2022 donated dozens of goats and cash to youths from the four local government areas of Ogoniland comprising Eleme, Tai, Gokana and Khana LGAs whilst food items (goats, rice, tomatoes and onions was given to the people of Nyobe Bangha for Christmas and New year celebration. Local government Coordinators were also inaugurated and the tenure of the President-General and other members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of OYF was extended for addition two (2) by the Congress. The extension was due to good performance.
The historic event that was held in Nyobe-Bangha Community townsquare in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers state played host to over five thousand Ogoni youths drawn from the four local government areas.
The President-General of Ogoni OYF Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana who led Ogoni youths to the palace of the paramount ruler of Nyobe-Bangha, Chief Micah John upon arrival, said it will be abnormal that Ogoni youths are in his community without paying a royal visit to the custodian of the custom and tradition of the people. He applauded the efforts of the paramount ruler and his council of chiefs for the relative peace the community enjoys.
In response, the paramount ruler expressed heartfelt appreciation to the youth leader and Ogoni youths for the respect and honour done to him. He confessed that it was the first time in the history of the community and assured the youths of their safety and security. He made bold to say peace has retuned to Nyobe Bangha and Nyo Khana kingdom at large due to the efforts of the OYF President-General and other well-meaning stakeholders. He urged the youths to discountenance the rumor being peddled around that Khana is not safe.
Speaking at the event, the number one youth of Ogoni acknowledged the contribution of Ogoni youths in their various communities and the roles they played individually and collectively. He assured the youths that they have written their names in history and would be remembered as true heroes of our land. The youth boss bemoaned that one of the greatest challenges facing Ogoni people is to provide opportunities and meet the need of the young people, the vast majority of whom need to be empowered to enable them lead decent lives and contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of Ogoniland.
Comrade Yamaabana however, used the opportunity to call on; Barr. Ledum Mitee, Dr. Owens Wiwa, Prof. Ben Naanen, Chief Monday Abueh and other Ogoni elders not to be deterred in their quest to revive and restore the dignity of the Movement for the Survival Ogoni People (MOSOP), he assured that Ogoni Youths are fully behind the MOSOP Peace Committee and advised all dissolved factions to accept the olive branch extended by the elders in the interest of Ogoniland.
In addition, Barr. Harold Nwinee opined that the constitution of OYF stipulates four years tenure for the president-General and members of the NEC and that since there is also a proviso for extension of tenure, it’s pertinent to invoke Article 8 Section 1(3) of OYF constitution. He further moved a motion for extension of the tenure of the president-General and NEC members for another two years. Same was seconded by Comrade Felix Zorl-ol and the general Congress unanimously adopted.
Another important segment of the General Congress was the inauguration of local government coordinators. You will recall that OYF NEC at its 28th Executive meeting approved the dissolution of all local government coordinators:
- John Nbara B. (Jnr) – Tai LGA.
- Dowell Badom – Gokana LGA.
- Isaac Adoo – Khana LGA
- Samuel Junior Obari – Eleme LGA.
The President-General charged the local government coordinators to propagate the gospel of peace and unity and work in synergy with the authorities in the respective LGAs. He assured the coordinators that OYF would give them the needed support.
The Ogoni youth boss vide the youth president of Bori Youth Council, Comrade Dornubari Asogho presented a live goats, food items and cash to each local government coordinators to go home and celebrate new year with youths of their areas.
OYF couldn’t have visited his community and left without putting smiles on the faces of the people. To this end, the capacity youth leader who is also a son of the soil presented food items worth a Million Naira to widows and less privileged. presenting the items, he stated that the gesture was aimed at giving them a sense of belonging in Yuletide season and to cushion the present hardship experienced by the have-nots .
He promised to make the action a routine one by extending similar gesture to other kingdoms of ogoni going forward. According to him, the plight of the indigent ones among us remains a serious concern, hence the need for the support.
“This is part of our contribution to humanity. We cannot pretend that these set of people don’t exist in our society. We have carried out the gesture because the essenes of living is to be our brother’s keeper. So, these materials are our token gesture to support those in dire need to feel the attendant joy that comes with Christmas and new year”.
Receiving the materials on behalf of the community, the paramount ruler of Nyobe Bangha expressed gratitude to OYF and Ogoni youths. He further said no youth in Ogoni has done what OYF did#
Kingsley L. Lene, Esq
Publicity Secretary OYF worldwide
1st January, 2022
Bori Ogoni
