A good number of Akalites has applauded the leadership of UmuakaEbeiri Youths which last week resolved to intensify the fight against illicit drug use in the community while disclosing plans for a major carnival aimed at promoting unity, youth development and positive social values.\u00a0 The resolutions were reached during a general youth meeting held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Akah City Hotel, where 228 members representing the ten autonomous communities of UmuakaEbeiri were in attendance.<\/p>\n
The meeting, which commenced at 10:30 a.m. and ended at 2:55 p.m., was presided over by the president-general, Engineer Onyi Nnogwarim. The ten communities represented were UbaUmuaka, IsioziAkah, AcharajiAkah, AmiyiAkah, UgbeleAkah, IbeleAkah, UmueleAmazano, Ubeakpu, Amakor and Obinwanne. One of the major issues discussed was the executive’s resolution banning the use of hard drugs in Umuaka especially by youths. Nnogwarim informed the gathering that notices concerning the ban had already been circulated to villages and autonomous communities and said the meeting was convened to develop practical measures for enforcing the resolution.<\/p>\n
After extensive deliberations, the youths resolved that anyone caught using hard drugs would be required to disclose where and how the substance was obtained, with the appropriate authorities expected to take action against both users and suppliers where applicable. The meeting also approved an awareness campaign to educate residents about the dangers of illicit drugs and the new community position. The campaign is expected to cover medicine shops, hotels and traditional root and herbal medicine sellers, with banners and handbills to be deployed. The youths further resolved that the ban would apply to everyone, irrespective of social or economic status.<\/p>\n
The meeting also considered plans by the executive to organize a carnival during the forthcoming festival period. Hon. JohnkennedyOkpoko explained the proposed carnival and called on members to contribute ideas towards making it successful. Contributing to the discussion, Hon. Obinna Orgazi (Brain Box) proposed several initiatives, many of which were adopted by the meeting.<\/p>\n
Among the proposals were that the carnival should be separate from any empowerment program and should remain a strictly Umuaka community event free from political influence. The proposed program would include beauty contests for Mr. and Mrs. Umuaka, a talk show featuring motivational speakers addressing social challenges such as drug abuse and prostitution, and recognition of individuals who have excelled in different fields.<\/p>\n
Other proposed attractions include customized T-shirts representing the various communities, a craft exhibition, vendor stands and efforts to secure corporate and private sponsorship.\u00a0 To enforce the new rules and move the community forward, the meeting also witnessed the presentation of members of the newly constituted taskforce committee. Each of the ten autonomous communities nominated four members to work alongside their respective youth presidents. The committee members are expected to be formally inaugurated within the week by the chairman of the Council of NdiEzeUmuakaEbeiri and the presidents-general of UmuakaEbeiri.<\/p>\n
Hon. Obinna Orgazi subsequently advised the leadership to properly screen the nominated taskforce members to ensure that people actively involved in drug use were not appointed to enforce the anti-drug resolution. He also cautioned members of the taskforce against using their positions to victimize innocent residents.<\/p>\n
The meeting also featured discussions on youth discipline, community relations and the need to prevent disputes from escalating into violence. ChinemeremOnwushe, an assistant youth leader of Umuezealaoma Village in AcharajiAkah, reported an alleged incident in which a disciplined youth member was said to have mobilized some young men to attack those who carried out the disciplinary action.<\/p>\n
The matter generated discussion, with Hon. JohnkennedyOkpoko disputing the claim that the alleged attackers were from Obinwanne, saying the community had not identified any of the individuals as Obinwanne youths when requested to do so.<\/p>\n
Okpoko cautioned communities against releasing suspects who claim to come from Obinwanne without proper identification by representatives of the community. He also warned against what he described as false social media publications linking suspects to Obinwanne, citing a recent incident in Ugbele. Meanwhile, Ambassador ChidiebereNwankemadu of UbaUmuaka commended the leadership qualities of AkahEbeiri youths and urged young people across Umuaka to contribute to peace and development while shunning social vices, particularly drug abuse. Similarly, Ambassador John O. called on youths to unite behind the leadership of UmuakaEbeiri Youths in the interest of community development.<\/p>\n
Another issue brought before the meeting concerned town planning activities. Uzoma Alamezie of AcharajiAkah alleged that he had encountered Ifeanyi Nmbereke, whom he claimed took people to his site and removed bags of cement and other working materials under the guise of town planning activities. He appealed to the youth leadership to intervene.<\/p>\n
Responding, the secretary-general, IjezieAnozie, disclosed that the leadership had already written to the Executive Chairman seeking a meeting to discuss town planning and establish an acceptable procedure for the operations of town planning authorities. The youth meeting also passed a resolution urging news outlets, particularly social media-based platforms, to exercise responsibility in reporting events concerning Umuaka. According to the resolution, media practitioners and social media publishers should report factual information while avoiding publications capable of unnecessarily portraying Umuaka in a negative light.<\/p>\n
The youths also resolved that masquerades should remain within their respective communities and should not move into another community without proper authorization from those in charge. They further resolved that masquerades must not block highways, with the Taskforce mandated to enforce the resolution and address violations.<\/p>\n
The meeting received financial support from some individuals, including Hon. Obinna Orgazi (Brain Box), who contributed \u20a630,000; Hon. JohnkennedyOkpoko, \u20a610,000; and Amb. John O., \u20a610,000. The organizers expressed appreciation to the supporters while appealing to other individuals to contribute towards clearing debts incurred in hosting the meeting. The recorded expenses included \u20a625,000 for kola nut and \u20a6204,800 for drinks, bringing the total expenditure to \u20a6229,800.<\/p>\n
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A good number of Akalites has applauded the leadership of UmuakaEbeiri Youths which last week…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[1229],"yoast_head":"\n