By Michael Ovat -Awka
It was a great and historic outing on Saturday, 31st October, 2026, as the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP), District 9142, Rotary International, in collaboration with the Office of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC) Youth Mayor, Anambra East Local Government Area, organized a One-Day Youth Summit for Youth Leaders in the Omambala Region of the State.
The summit, which held at the Tiger Bar in Awka, over the weekend, brought together the 11 Community Youth Leaders in the area; Umuoba Anam, Enugwu Aguleri, Aguleri, Umuleri, Nsugbe, Ikem Ivite, Nando, Igbariam, Eziagulu-Otu, Enugu-Otu, and Mkpunando
The event aimed at building the capacity of youth leaders for effective leadership, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and dispute resolution in their various communities.
“The summit featured two impactful presentations.
“The first keynote address was delivered by a Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Dennis Chukwukelu Ekemezie, FNIPR, on the theme: *“Effective Youth Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Peace Building, Conflict Prevention and Dispute Resolution in the Communities.
In his presentation, Dr. Ekemezie charged the youth leaders to see themselves as the firewall and frontline ambassadors of peace, noting that if youths have the strength to fight conflict, they have double the power to enforce peace. He identified land disputes, fake news/rumors, and youth unemployment/manipulation as major triggers of communal clashes, and called for communication over combat and economic collaboration among communities.
The second presentation was delivered by the ASTUC Youth Liaison Officer, Anambra North and the District 9142 RAGFP Chairman, PAG Obiudu Chidi M. PHF, on the topic: *“The Role of the Youths in Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention.
“The speakers emphasized that peace is not a gift from government or elders, but a product of deliberate youth action, and urged the youth leaders to establish a permanent mechanism for dialogue and early warning.
Highpoint of the event was a press briefing and the adoption of a historic *Communiqué and Peace Accord.
In the communiqué, the 11 Youth Leaders resolved to:
“Order immediate cessation of all forms of violence and media warfare across Anambra East.
“Establish a permanent Inter-Community Youth Peace Council (ICYPC) to meet monthly on rotational basis.
“Combat rumors and misinformation through direct cross-community verification.
“Submit all land and boundary disputes to traditional, town union and legal channels.
“Protect lives, farmlands and shared infrastructure; and
“Initiate joint economic and sports programs to build mutual trust.
The Peace Accord was thereafter signed by all the 11 Community Youth Leaders, witnessed by the Rotary Action Group for Peace and the ASATU/ASTUC Youth leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the youth leaders, the ASTUC Youth Mayor thanked Rotary Action Group for Peace, District 9142, Dr. Dennis Ekemezie and all stakeholders for investing in youth leadership and peace in Omambala region, pledging that Anambra East youths will henceforth be known for peace and not clashes.
The summit ended on a high note with renewed commitment that the story of Anambra East will no longer be defined by communal clashes, but by unity, economic prosperity and purposeful youth leadership.
