Itsekiri youths elect zonal leaders
Zonal leaders have emerged for Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth (UIY), an umbrella body for Itsekiri youths worldwide, after an election held at Ode-Itsekiri in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta
Zonal leaders have emerged for Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth (UIY), an umbrella body for Itsekiri youths worldwide, after an election held at Ode-Itsekiri in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The election, which witnessed an impressive turnout of youths, produced executives for Warri North, Warri South, Warri South-West and Edo/Delta Central zones in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots coordination of youth activities across Itsekiri communities.
In Warri South zone, Moses Amanoritsewor emerged chairman with 70 votes, while David Ekengbuda and Michael Eboma were elected vice chairman and secretary with 65 and 71 votes.
Richard Ejueyitsi was elected chairman of Warri South-West zone with 91 votes. Toritseju Bemigho won the vice chairmanship with 90 votes, while Eyitemi Etchie secured the secretary position with 100 votes.For Warri North zone, Gift Tonukarin emerged chairman with 77 votes, alongside Henry Temiyaghan and Seyisan Eyikimi, who won the vice chairman and secretary positions with 65 and 61 votes. In Edo/Delta Central zone, Endurance Esogie was elected chairman, while Harrison Abugewa emerged secretary. Both were unopposed.
Chairman of UIY Zonal Electoral Committee, Joshua Ghereje, described the election as keenly contested and lauded the large turnout of youths.
“This is the inaugural election for the zonal executives of the Ugbarajo Itsekiri Youth. Only recently, the Olu of Warri dissolved the Itsekiri National Youth Council and inaugurated the UIY, which is the umbrella body of all Itsekiri youths,” he said.
He noted that the zonal polls followed the election of the national executives in 2025.
“To this end, the national executive election was done in 2025, now we are doing for the zones. They include Warri North, Warri South, Warri South-West and Edo/Delta Central zones. All aspirants converged on Ode-Itsekiri for this election. It is a delegate-based election, three persons from each community — a youth chairman, secretary and a woman leader,” Ghereje said.
He said the process began with accreditation of community delegates before voting commenced.
He says while the tenure of office is four years, it is also subject to an age limit of 40.
Ghereje said the turnout reflected the interest of youths in shaping leadership in their communities.
“The turnout is massive, the youth have shown interest that they want to decide who should lead them and that is a good thing. So what we need to do is give them the opportunity to choose who will lead,” he said.
Delegates drawn from communities spanning Ajatiton in Edo State to Ugborodo in Delta State participated in the delegate-based election. Electoral officials said the newly elected zonal executives would coordinate youth affairs across their areas under the UIY national leadership.
