Members of the Coalition of Imo State Youths, an umbrella of youth organisations operating in the state and drawn from different backgrounds, have reiterated their unalloyed support to the government of Governor Hope Uzodimma, noting that the Governor requires a peaceful atmosphere to fully unleash his plans for the people.

Members of the group are concerned that the economic life of the people is daily being destroyed through incessant sit-at-home orders by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). They disassociated themselves from IPOB’s directive to sit at home yesterday, Monday, August 9, 2021, hence they came out in their numbers from the 27 local government areas of imo state to Owerri, the headquarters, to say that they are not in support of the IPOB weekly lockdown.

Addressing the youths and other guests drawn from different social standing at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), Owerri, Monday the Spokesman, Dr. Pope Ekwegh, said: “The youths came to Owerri to show that they are not in support of the sit-at-home order by IPOB and to inform the world that their decision is as a result of the friendly relationship they have enjoyed under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State.”

Ekwegh said they came in solidarity with Governor Uzodimma and to respect his directives asking Imo people and other residents in the state to go about their legitimate duties with a “promise of adequate security which they have observed to be true and honest.”

He said as youths they ought not to violet the Governor’s directive, the reason they trouped out en masse from the 27 councils in Imo State to show the world that Imo is peaceful.

Ekwegh thanked the youths of Imo State for coming out to show solidarity to His Excellency “because the Governor first showed them love by making Imo safe for every citizen to go about their normal business.”

He noted that “asking Imo people to stay at home for a day, especially on a Monday goes a long way in crippling business activities thereby retarding investments by both foreign and local investors.”

Ekwegh observed that by the assessment of Imo youths, Governor Uzodimma is doing very well, noting that “if not the youths could not have come out in their numbers to show support and solidarity to him.”

This, according to Ekwegh, is exemplified in the youth empowerment programme and job creation, provision of road infrastructure and efforts in redesigning urban roundabouts which have eased traffic in Owerri, the state capital.

He thanked Imolites for believing in the Governor and urged them to continue to support his administration.

To the youths, Ekwegh urged them to continue to appreciate the Governor and to support him in everything he does which is aimed at making the life of Imo people better.

The leader of the coalition flayed the IPOB for the incessant orders without weighing the implications. “The demand by the IPOB should be a voluntary thing and not mandatory because when it is forcefully followed it will affect the economic and social life of the Igbos who are basically businessmen and women.” He said.

Ekwegh therefore urged the IPOB and all those agitating for Biafra to be circumspect so as not to damage the businesses of the Igboman, especially in the South East, and the good governance processes of the Governors, especially that of Imo State whose governor he said “is doing a good job”.

The rally was peaceful and was graced by market men and women, among other members of the public.

•PHOTO: Some members of the Imo Youth Prayer Summit led by Commissioner for youth and Sports, Hon Dan Ogu (2nd left) in a Peaceful Rally along major Streets in Owerri in Solidarity to the Administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma

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