Eze Iweka Urges Youths to Shun Illicit Drugs, Cultism, Touting, Criminal Activities

By Uzo Ugwunze

Chairman Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Eze Iweka III has advised youths against indulging in Drug abuse, Cultism, Crimes and all forms of Criminality which are capable of ruining their bright future.

Speaking at his palace, Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State during the Obiora/Iwaji Youth Carnival 2025, Eze Iweka III reminded them that as future leaders they should desire to attain prominence like Former Secretary to Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku among some other illustrious sons and daughters of Obosi Community.

“Firstly, Obiora Obosi which some refer to as Ofalla is not just a time for New Yam harvest and Festival but a time of peace and unity. It is time to love your neighbor as yourself and share your yarn with the less privileged.Our ancestors saw peace as vital to human existence because without peace you can not achieve prominence. They made a law that anyone caught fighting or bickering during Obiora festival should be fined.

“Secondly,we added youth carnival in recent years to create an avenue to bring our Youths together. Today, you could see over 600 youths coming together with their resplendent costumes to show case our rich cultures. These young people meet each other to share ideas and innovations especially in this era of internet and AI.

“I advise young people that as the future leaders, Doctors, Lawyers and professionals they must abstain from certain lifestyles like of hard drugs, criminality, prostitution, Cultism. For instance, Cultism is a One way street, you can’t come out, even if you renounce, you will be mowed down during cult clashes.

“I tell youths everywhere to abstain from such vices to enable them achieve prominence like Emeka Anyaoku (Adazie Obosi) and others.

Moreover, the Chairman Obiora/Iwaji 2025 Committee, Nze Kenneth Ifeatu Obi (Omelora Obosi) noted that this year’s Youth Carnival was split into two. Tuesday was to instil the cultural and traditional values of Obosi in the young ones and on Thursday would be a day of marathon lectures from NDLEA, Anti Cult and other resource groups to instill discipline and knowledge that will help them make the right choices in life.

“Today, you can see our Mock Igwe, Lolo, Ndichie, Iyom etc and you can see how they were reverenced as they displayed before guests and our Igwe and Ndichie.They have been practicing for long before today and they have learnt our history and ways of life.

“Thursday lectures from different organizations will help them know things about life, that hardwork, dignity of Labor pays better than touting, land grabbing and illegal land sales, drug peddling and easy money which can cut their lives short.

“Prominent Obosi illustrious sons and daughters who grew up here would be given awards to serve as role models for the young people. Someone like me I had my secondary education at Community Secondary School Obosi, and my primary education was at Umuota primary school, Obosi which I eventually rebuilt in 2014. After the award presentation comes the Gala night that will feature celebrity artists from across Nigeria,” said Obi.

Moreso, the Chief of Staff to the palace, Chief Shadrach Okenwa who was among those who organized the carnival parade across major streets of Obosi Community thanked God for a successful carnival saying that next year’s youth carnival would be bigger and better. He called on more individuals and organizations to sponsor the annual Obosi Youth Carnival which is now becoming a global event.

Highlights of the Youth Carnival include procession cum parade of the Youths clad in different costumes, representing different villages, societies, and cultures, homage to the king at the palace of Eze Iweka III, cultural dances and displays before the king.