Ikpoba Hill Youth Forum Chairman Pledges Safer Community, Investment-Friendly Environment

By Chris Akhabue, Benin City

The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Ikpoba Hill Youths Forum, Comrade Kingsley Osemwingie, has pledged to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, government institutions and other stakeholders to make Ikpoba Hill, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, a safer and more investment-friendly community.

Osemwingie made the commitment shortly after he was inaugurated for a second term as chairman of the youth organisation, having emerged unopposed in the election.

Speaking at the inauguration, Osemwingie expressed appreciation to members of the forum for renewing their confidence in his leadership, saying the decision to return him to office was a responsibility he could not reject.

He said although he had initially looked forward to handing over leadership to another member after the expiration of his first tenure, the absence of another candidate and the persistent calls from members compelled him to accept the responsibility of continuing in office.

According to him, the achievements recorded during his first tenure were made possible by the unity, discipline and cooperation of members of the forum.

He noted that the organisation had succeeded in creating greater unity among youths in the community, which, he said, contributed significantly to peaceful coexistence and the ability of the group to engage government constructively on issues affecting residents.

One of the major achievements of the forum, he said, was its advocacy over the deplorable condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway and other roads within Ikpoba Hill.

Osemwingie recalled that in 2023, the forum embarked on a peaceful protest to draw attention to the hardship caused by the deteriorating condition of the road.

He said he personally spent several days on the streets as part of the protest until the then Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, responded with palliative intervention on the road.

He described the development as a major victory for the community, stressing that the forum would continue to use constructive engagement and advocacy to attract government attention to issues affecting residents.

Beyond infrastructure advocacy, Osemwingie said the forum had also undertaken several social and community-oriented initiatives during his first tenure.

He listed visits to orphanages where food items, financial assistance and other necessities were donated to the less privileged, describing the gesture as part of the organisation's commitment to giving back to society.

He also disclosed that the forum embarked on an advocacy campaign in secondary schools across Ikpoba Hill to educate students on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and other social vices.

According to him, the organisation also collaborated with the Edo State Ministry of Environment on environmental sanitation exercises, including the cleaning of drainage channels in markets and sensitisation of traders on the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

Osemwingie said the forum would build on these initiatives during his second tenure, promising a more robust engagement with government and security agencies.

"As a new cabinet is inaugurated today, I am going to collaborate with the executive and members of the forum to work assiduously to achieve more, with a view to surpassing our previous engagements," he said.

"We are going to make sure that Ikpoba Hill is a safe place for investment. We are also going to speak with one audible voice that will engender development."

He urged members of the forum to remain committed to peace, unity and responsible citizenship, stressing that sustainable development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.

The youth leader also called on youths across Edo State to support Governor Monday Okpebholo's efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry, cultism and other forms of criminality.

He commended the governor for what he described as his administration's zero tolerance for criminal activities, urging youths to shun crime and embrace legitimate and productive means of livelihood.

Speaking with journalists at the event, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, CSP Richard Balogun (rtd.), represented by Prince Amos Nekpenekpen, commended Osemwingie for what he described as his selfless service to the people of Ikpoba Hill.

He particularly praised the youth forum's advocacy on the deplorable condition of roads in the community and its efforts to promote peace and responsible youth engagement.

Nekpenekpen assured the forum of the security corps' continued collaboration in the collective effort to maintain a crime-free environment in Ikpoba Hill and the state at large.

He also commended Governor Okpebholo's administration for its efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, cultism and other social vices.

The Chief Executive Officer of HAPPY STAR HOTEL , Ambassador Enofe Happy, also praised Osemwingie's leadership, describing him as a consistent and committed youth leader.

Happy said Osemwingie's ability to promote unity and harmonious coexistence among youths had contributed substantially to the peace being enjoyed in the community.

"Aside from helping to draw the government's attention to the worsening road situation in the area, one fundamentally important and commendable achievement of Kingsley Osemwingie is his ability to ensure sustained peace among the youths," he said.

An indigene of the community, Vincent Osaretin, applauded Osemwingie's dedication to the development of Ikpoba Hill, attributing his return to office to his character, maturity and ability to relate effectively with members of the community.

He said Osemwingie's emergence unopposed demonstrated the confidence members of the forum had in his leadership.

"When you have a leader who is responsible, mature and knows how to relate amicably with everyone in a group, such a leader usually goes far in achieving set goals," Osaretin said.

He expressed optimism that the chairman's second tenure would consolidate the achievements of the previous administration.

Also speaking, Barrister Happy Omoruyi JP congratulated Osemwingie, describing him as a man of integrity, honour and dependable leadership.

Omoruyi said the chairman had consistently placed the welfare and interests of the organisation and its members above personal considerations.

"We are grateful to God for giving us a leader like Comrade Kingsley Osemwingie, a leader who puts the interest of others above self," he said.

He prayed for divine wisdom and strength for Osemwingie as he begins another tenure, expressing confidence that the new administration would be impactful and further reposition the Ikpoba Hill Youths Forum for greater achievements.

Also sworn in was the General Secretary, Comrade Sunny Ohangbon  who was as well elected unopposed.