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by Walter Chike
Youths of Imo State, under the aegis of Imo Youth Congress (IYC) have endorsed the candidature of Chief Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Duru as the rightful candidate for appointment to represent the state in the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be reconstituted soon.
In a communiquรฉ issued at the end of a 3-day summit of the group, held in Oguta recently, signed by the National President, Robinson Nwokocha and Secretary, Charles Onuma, and made available to our Correspondent, the group argued that every calculation favours the candidature of Chief Duru, even as it appealed to the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to listen to the voice of the youths, in the interest of peace and development in the state.
According to IYC, Duru is a visionary technocrat, who has distinguished himself in every life endeavour, and therefore the most qualified candidate to ensure credible representation of the state in the NDDC board.
โImo Youths believe so much in competence, credibility and fairness.
We have scrutinized all the candidates jostling to be appointed to represent Imo State. That Ohaji Egbema has represented the state for two consecutive tenures and therefore completely ruled out. In Oguta Local Government Area, of all the oil producing communities, Izombe is the most marginalized. We have gone through history and discovered that Oguta town has dominated in all ramifications, ranging from political appointments to elective positions. That in realization of this fact, we have resolved that it is the turn of Izombe to produce the next NDDC Commissionerโ.
In Izombe, we have also assessed all the candidates and in search of credible and competent representation, endorsed Chief Emmnauel Ifeanyichukwu Duru as the candidate of all the youths of Imo State,โ the communiquรฉ reads.
When contacted, President of the group, comrade Robinson Nwokocha reiterated that the choice of Chief Duru is strictly based on merit and urged President Jonathan to appoint him Imo Representative in the NDDC Board.
โMy brother, we are tired of mediocrity. We need credible and effective representation. We are tired of sycophancy. We are tired of mediocrity. For how long shall we continue like this? Imo youths met for three days and said that enough is enoughโ.
โLeaders from the core oil producing communities were all represented and they were all involved in the exerciseโ.
โChief Emma Duru is highly educated. He is a lawyer and very successful technocrat. He is the first Federal Board member from the area. He is a philanthropist of the highest order. He knows the problems of our people and has solution to them. He has zero tolerance to corruption. He is youth friendly and most importantly, approachable. The youths assessed the personality and credentials of all others and decided to pitch our tent with him,โ he stressed.
Nwokocha also urged all stakeholders to support his candidature to ensure effective, efficient and qualitative representation, which he said, shall in-turn, bring about rapid development of the area.
