The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the leading socio-cultural organization for Igbo youth, has addressed the recent misinformation spread by a TVC broadcast regarding the establishment of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the National Open University, Nsu Center in Ehime Mbano, Imo State. The broadcast claimed the center would house IDPs, sparking concerns across the Igbo community.
Following a comprehensive investigation into the matter, the OYC engaged in discussions with Senator Frank Ibezim, a former senator of Imo North and the key figure in the visit by the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons to the Nsu Center. Senator Ibezim clarified that the visit was misinterpreted, and the facilities are intended to host a skill acquisition training program for Igbo youths, not IDPs from Northern Nigeria, as suggested in the broadcast.
According to Senator Ibezim, the training initiative targets vulnerable Igbo youths in the South-East, particularly those struggling with unemployment and addiction. The program, focusing on agricultural skills, aims to empower these youths, reduce food scarcity, and enhance economic independence in the region. The visit by the federal officials was part of a broader effort to evaluate the suitability of the center for this program.
The OYC has long advocated for rehabilitation centers to address drug abuse among Igbo youth, and they view this project as a significant step toward achieving that goal. The council emphasized that the program is specifically designed for the Igbo community and does not involve housing or assisting displaced persons from other regions.
In response to the concerns raised by the misleading broadcast, the OYC announced the formation of a Monitoring and Surveillance Committee. This committee, comprising youth leaders and elders from Nsu and surrounding communities, will oversee the implementation of the skills training program to ensure it remains focused on benefiting Igbo youths. The committee will also monitor the recruitment process and supervise the activities of the center.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council reassured the public of their commitment to protecting the interests of the Igbo people and emphasized the importance of the training program in empowering the next generation of Igbo youth. They affirmed that this initiative is a crucial step toward fostering economic growth and reducing dependence on agricultural supplies from other parts of the country.
