Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Prince Ejike Itodo, on Wednesday announced the creation of a special office for security and youth matters.
“This special office is to ensure lasting peace and tranquility in the council area,” Itodo announcedt during the local government prayer/security summit held at the council headquarters in Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike.
He said that such a special office would take care of youth matters and security issues in a confidential manner and take far-reaching effects towards addressing the challenges of security breaches and youth restiveness in the area.
The chairman decried various losses in both economic, manpower and social resources that the council area suffered in the past owing to the security skirmishes and unwarranted actions of some criminal elements in the area.
Itodo admonished all to embrace the mantra of “forgiving the past and forging ahead to a united and prosperous Igbo-Eze North.”
He reiterated the fact that no meaningful development and progress can thrive in an atmosphere of strife, insecurity and killings.
According to him, youths in the council area should embrace a positive turn around for good where they can be engaged in various productive ventures.
He thanked Governor Peter Mbah for his massive support to the council area on security matters and his determination to jump-start another era of development in the state through various initiatives in the last 100 days of his administration.
He said, “Our amiable governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah, has always been responsive on any security issue in Igbo-Eze North.
“We do not have enough resources to support the security operatives in Igbo-Eze North but because the governor has been there for us, we have been able to achieve a lot.
“We came here in one mind and accord to put a stamp to our resolution for lasting peace and security in Igbo-Eze North.
“Everyone knows the essence of peaceful coexistence anywhere in the community, talk more of a local government where brothers and sisters reside.
“It is the bedrock of development and we thank God that a new dawn is here with us.”
Earlier, the Summit Facilitator, Chief Richard Ekeh, who appreciated various stakeholders cutting across all sectors of the society who attended the programme, said “the summit marks a day of covenant for peace and return to normalcy” in Igbo-Eze North.
Ekeh said the behind the scene consultations done prior to the summit recorded tremendous success and addressed some salient issues that led to security breaches in the area before now.
The summit was attended by political office holders, traditional rulers, youth bodies, market union leaders, town union leaders, security chiefs and women groups among others.