OKIGWE ZONE APC YOUTH LEADERS SHOWER PRAISES ON IMO SPEAKER OVER DONATION OF SALARY
………… Pledges To Continue To Support Governor Hope Uzodinma
It was a harvest of gratitude when Six LGA All Progressive Congress, APC, Youth leaders in Okigwe Zone paid a courtesy visit on the number 3 Citizen of the State and Speaker Of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh today (21/04/2022).
It would be recalled that exactly four months ago (21/12/2021), Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh, in company of the Deputy Speaker (Rt Honourable Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu), Chief Whip ( Hon Chigozie Nwaneri), and Commissioner for Youth and Sports (Mr Dan Ogu) visited the State Party Secretariat and donated his 100% salary to the Six Youth Leaders of APC from Okigwe Zone. The Speaker then had stressed that the donation of his salary for every month to the Youth Leaders was in keeping with the commitment and dedication to supporting the Party in Okigwe Zone and the State.
Four months Iater, the six APC Youth leaders visited the Speaker in his Office, to thank him for keeping to his pledge. Speaking on behalf of the youth leaders, the Isiala Mbano APC Youth leader, Mr Chukwuemeka Chikere expressed gratitude to the Speaker for being an “Ekwueme” (A leader who keeps to his words). He described Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh as the first Political Leader in Okigwe Zone to achieve the feat of donating his salary to youth leaders and ensuring it was Implemented to the letter monthly, not mere words, hence they have visited to express their gratitude and urge him not to relent in extending other dividends of democracy to Okigwe Zone.
Responding, Imo Speaker welcomed the APC Youth leaders to the Assembly, expressing delight they found time to visit him at the office. According to the Speaker, “We have to strengthen the party, by encouraging the youths. Other Youth-friendly programs and packages are on the way”. He assured the Youth Leaders that he would do his best for them, pointing out that the donation of his salary to them was in keeping with his honest and sincere desire to uplift the party in the zone and to encourage them in their membership drive for more party faithfuls. While admonishing them to shun criminal and violent activities, Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh enjoined them to use his donated monthly salary to boost their respective economic activities, so as to be more useful to the society, apart from participating in party politics. He reminded them that as a leader he is constantly thinking about development and emancipation of the present and future generation of Okigwe youths, in line with James Freeman Clarke’s popular statement “Politicians think about the Next Election, but Statesmen think about the Next Generation” Furthermore, Rt Honourable Kennedy Ibeh informed them that their job and position required mentoring, so as to enable them go far in life. “We will assist you go very far”, Mr Speaker assured.
On the forthcoming 2023 election, the Speaker further advised the Youth leaders to see it as something that would shape their destinies for good, when responsible people are elected, urging them to deliver the party, since they have been so appointed. “It is one thing to be anointed or appointed or elected, it is another thing to deliver. Embark now on massive membership drive, since majority of youths are loyal to you”.
In his Vote of thanks, the Party Youth leader in Okigwe LGA, Mr Mereni Emeka expressed satisfaction with Imo speaker’s warm reception of them, maintaining “this is the first Speaker that has remembered Youth leaders, since the inception of imo state House Of Assembly”. He therefore pledged “we will not fail you”. Mr Mereni further expressed gratitude to His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma for discovering them, in the first place and made them Youth leaders in their respective local government in Okigwe Zone. He therefore pledged to continue to support the governor, who is being complimented by the Speaker.
Other APC LGA Youth leaders in the delegation were,
1. Comrade Nathaniel Igwe (Youth leader of Ehime Mbano LGA).
2. Mr Raphael Iwuagwu ( Youth leader of Ihitte- Uboma LGA).
3. Hon Michael Iheanyichukwu (Youth leader of Onuimo LGA).
4. Mr Okechukwu Okafor (Youth leader of Obowo LGA)
