Recently, the ancient play ground of Perekule Iwoama community, Bonny, in the Bonny local government area of Rivers State, was crowded as spectators gathered to witness the formal inauguration of Perekule Iwoama Youth Development Forum (PIYDF).
The occasion which attracted notable elites of Iwoama and Bonny at large, after conducting a credible election, produced twelve persons as the winners.
Those elected and sworn in are: Comrade Stanley F. B. Pepple, Leader, Temple Gbalo Deputy Leader, Lisa Bara-Hart Secretary, Dietamunoye Bara-Hart Director of Security, Abdulrahaman Isaac Provost, Mina Hart Financial Secretary.
Others are: Ibiteinbo T. Allison Treasurer, Blessing Kennedy Hart Assistant Secretary, Lyowuna F. Pepple Welfare, Edmund Banigo Public Relations Officer, Iyeimo Ibigoni and Grace Titus as Ex-officios.
In his address, the eleco chairman, Comrade Adolf Ransom Pepple, commended all members of PIYDF for coming together as a body during the election as to ease him conduct a credible election.
Pepple lauded all members of the eleco committee for their immense contribution of ideas. He, however thanked Perekule Iwoama youths for the opportunity giving them and others to serve in such capacity.
Pepple charged those elected and inaugurated to live up to the expectation of PIYDF.
According to him, “since 2002, I have been actively involved in conducting elections into the Executive Committee of PIYDF, but I must be sincere with you, that I had never been satisfied with what had been happening”.
In his speech, the occasion chairman, Warisenibo Dagogo Zac Benstowe lauded the youths for the peaceful conduct of election and subsequent inauguration.
Benstowe preached for oneness among them at all times. He noted that if unity and love is embraced, development will be taken into the community and Bonny Kingdom.
Benstowe called on the new exco to carry everybody along in the scheme of things. He charged members of PIYDF to shun rumours among them and the executive, but work as a team with the exco so as to enable them achieve the aims and objectives of the body.
Hon. Benstowe charged children in Iwoama community and Bonny at large to be serious in their education, saying that today, education is the bedrock of any developing nation.
In his remarks, Iwoama community chairman, Mr. Ishmael I. T. Hart charged the new Excos to be law-abiding in discharging their assignments, saying that their call to service was a test of future. He said he will frown against any unwelcome development in the community and promised to work with any group of persons who will bring peace into the community
The out-going PIYDF, Comrade Aje J. Jumbo highlighted his achievements during his tenure as the leader. He noted that 51 youths gained employment into different companies, adequate peace in the community, among other things.
Aje promised to work with the new Exco for effective development and handed over PIYDF documents to the new leader, Comrade Stanley F. B. Pepple on behalf of the Exco. The new leader assured that his administration will always strive for unity of all and charged members to join hand with the executive for the interest of the community.
Pepple promised to partner with government and NGOs in the area. He assured that employment and development will be his priority.
In his view, Hon. Adonye Wilcox, lauded Iwoama youths for their sense of belonging in conducting free and fair election in their community.
Wilcox noted that the election has come and gone and that all hands should be on deck for the interest of the kingdom. He pointed out that if election has come and gone the next is unity, saying Bonny election has no victor nor vanquish.
By Daniel Christopher Hart
