INYF: Addressing Ebonyi Youths Needs Through Scholarships Awards, Skill Acquisition, Other Interventions

By Alex Odeh, Pan Afric Reporters

The Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum (INYF ), has continued to be a standout youth organisation, following her unparalleled and unmatched contributions and influence in shaping the psyche of Ebonyi youths, particularly the youths from Izzi extraction, one of the prominent clans in Ebonyi State.

As an outstanding and apex Izzi youth forum, which has the incumbent Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru Ogbonna, as a prominent member, has over the years withered leadership challenges and carved an enviable niche for itself through commitment to programmes and interventions tailored towards achieving enduring unity, love and peace among the Izzi extraction.

The Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum (INYF ) has been headed by prominent sons from the Izzi clan. Each of them made exceptional marks and left legacies as springboard that has defined the accelerated growth evidently witnessed under the incumbent President, Comrade Dr. Elom Chibueze Andrew, who has stirred the ship of the Forum for an eventful two years.

Two years ago, the incumbent President of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum (INYF ), Comrade Dr. Elom Chibueze Andrew took over the reigns of leadership with the assurance to redouble the achievements of his predecessors, and since then, the President has shown unwavering and consistent determination to address the dire needs of Izzi youths, with special attention to promoting education through award of scholarships and the facilitation of skill acquisition in various areas of human endeavours, targeted at making the youths self-reliant and employers of labour.

Speaking during the 2nd anniversary ceremony of his administration held on Tuesday 30th at INYF Secretariat, No. 109 Afikpo Road by Old Timber Shade, Abakaliki, Comrade Dr Elom Chibueze Andrew said the current leadership of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum (INYF ), has made notable achievements in the following areas which include, but not limited to the mobilisation and unity among youths across all Izzi communities, provided a platform for skills acquisition and empowerment of young men and women.

According to him, his leadership has also provided intervention in community peace and security matters, contributing to the peace currently prevailing Ebonyi State.

On the award of scholarship, the Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum (INYF), as part of the highpoints to mark her 2nd anniversary also doled out a whooping amount of six million naira (#6,000,000), two hundred thousand naira (#200,000) each to thirty students studying in various tertiary institutions across the country to assist them in their educational pursuit of different profession.

Meanwhile, the Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum( INYF ) popularly known for her support for good governance as a socio-cultural organization, but non-partisan after due consideration of the achievements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, declared unanimous support for all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State.

The Forum further considered the numerous achievements and support of Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru , the Governor of Ebonyi State describing him as the pillar and backbone of INYF, while re-affirming her earlier support for his re-election come 2027.

The Forum, in addition, endorsed and adopted all candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Izzi Clan, which include Sen. Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi for Senate Ebonyi North Zone, Hon. Emmanuel Uguru for House of Representatives ,Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Hon Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze House of For Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency and Hon. Aloy Nwodo, Hon. Goodluck Obinna Mbam, Hon. Victor Nwoke, Hon. Godwin Abiri, Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga and Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele for house of assembly representing different constituencies in Izzi clan for the forthcoming elections.

In addition as part of her commitment in support of good governance and empowerment of youths in position of trust by the Governor Francis Ogbonna , INYF, further threw her weight behind the incoming local government chairmen for Abakaliki, Ebonyi and Izzi Local Government Areas.

In order to ensure a landslide victory of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming elections, INYF called on the youths both at home and in the diaspora to mobilize massively at the grassroots level. Comrade Dr Elom Chibueze Andrew urged INYF to undertake door-to-door campaigns, voter sensitization to ensure massive turnout in order to give an overwhelming support and victory for all APC candidates in 2027 elections.

Earlier, the Eucharistic celebration was officiated by Rev. Fr. James Nwofoke at the INYF Secretariat, No. 109 Afikpo Road by Old Tember Shade, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The event recorded a large turnout of youths, elders, women, and stakeholders from across Izzi land.

Meanwhile, in his homily, Rev. Fr. James Nwofoke admonished the executive to remain steadfast, united, and God-fearing in service. He described the 2-year milestone as “a testimony of God’s faithfulness” and urged the Forum to keep prioritizing peace, youth empowerment, youth mentorship, and the development of Izzi land above personal interests.

He dedicated the anniversary to God and pledged that the Forum will do more in the remaining period of their tenure.