Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The Apex Socio-cultural Igbo Organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, Ebonyi State Chapter has embarked on aggressive awareness campaign on revival of core- Igbo culture in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.
Ohaneze also launched campaign against youth restiveness, peace building and protection of government facilities in various communities in the state.
The State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Peter Mbam who stated this at the Palace of the traditional ruler of Nkaleke Echara Ndiebor-lshieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area, Eze Pius Akam-Alo, said the campaign became necessary due to the declining nature of core Igbo culture, values and norms and the rising rate of abominable crimes in the society.
Dr. Mbam regretted that the Igbo culture of respect for elders, truthfulness and hardworking have gradually eroded especially amongst Igbo youths and called on Igbo people to go back to their culture to avoid going into extinction.
The National Vice President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Okeagu Ogada explained that Igbo people are entrepreneurs and very enterprising and attributed most crimes in the society to the declining nature of Igbo culture.
Other members of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Michael Okechi, Prince Fidelis Nwokeocha, Mrs. Elizabeth Oshianu and Mr. Ogbu Agina stressed the need for peace in all villages and communities in the state and adequate security and protection of government facilities, condemning vandalising of transformers and electric cables by some people.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Uchenna Igwe represented by Prince Benjamin Igboke called on Ndigbo especially youths to respect their traditional rulers and advised traditional rulers to ensure peace in their various communities.
Prince Chinedu Uburu Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Council, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Kelechi Ofoke called for more youth empowerment programmes and employment to reduce crimes in the state and beyond.
Uburu commended the State Governor, Hon. Francis Nwifuru for his numerous empowerment programmes for the youths and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious us of the gesture.
The traditional ruler of Nkaleke Echara Ndiebor Ishieke, Eze Pius Akam Alo, Mrs. Marcellina Uburu, Mr. Lawrence Mbam and Mrs. Agnes Ovudu cautioned youths against quick money making syndrome, called for improved security and advised youths against selling or taking hard drugs like mkpurumiri and praised Ohaneze Ndigbo for the awareness campaign on the revival of Igbo culture.