High Chief Ejiogu & Others Set Agenda To Move Okigwe Forward At Youth Digestive Forum Summit 

From the stirring words of the Convener,  Barr. Onwubuariri Chijioke, to the thought-provoking paper delivered by Prof. Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri (Owelle Okigwe), the air was thick with an urgency that demanded unity, peace , purpose, and progress. The president, addressing an audience that included representatives of the Imo State Governor, past and present senators, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, commissioners, local government chairmen, captains of industry, and traditional rulers, reminded all that the time to heal and rebuild has come.

This summit, he said, was birthed to break cycles of envy, disunity, mockery, and passive leadership that had slowed Okigwe’s rise. It was time, he insisted, for the zone to embrace forgiveness, harmony, and the hard work of progress. He highlighted practical goals: six Toyota Sienna buses for youth mobility across all six LGAs, vocational training initiatives in ICT and craftsmanship, educational materials, micro road projects, and a N100 million development fund. The youth forum was no longer just an idea — it was now a mission.

But the moment that turned heads, sparked minds, and ignited hearts came when the Traditional Prime Minister of Anara Ancient Kingdom and Chairman of Citygate Homes—  High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu— Billionaire real estate mogul —whose leadership impact, industry expertise and mentorship in the Nigeria’s real estate sector echoes from Lagos to Abuja and into the soul of Imo, stepped forward to deliver his goodwill message and mentorship lecture titled Youth Entrepreneurship for Okigwe Zone.

Calm yet commanding, humble yet charged with truth, Chief Ejiogu did not tell stories to entertain — he opened wounds, and with them, poured in healing. He shared not a tale of glory, but of grace. Born into hardship, entrusted to a guardian before age 10, he learned early the values of responsibility, sacrifice, and vision. Today, he stands not just as a business guru but also as a beacon  of hope, whose ventures have redefined real estate, logistics, and community development across Nigeria.

But he wasn’t on that podium to recount his past. He came bearing a blueprint — one he described as “tested, trusted, tangible”. He declared his mission to birth a world-class technical institute in Okigwe. Not just a name on a signboard, but a fully equipped, legally certified institution that will train youths in general furniture design, POP installation, aluminum fabrication, vehicle spare part repairs, building and civil works, and more. A hub of innovation that will be built by Okigwe hands, for Okigwe future and collective destiny.

And he wasn’t just dreaming. He laid out a sustainable funding model, calling on community stakeholders to donate tools for graduates, empowering them to start their own ventures and reduce unemployment and crime. He said it plainly — the time is now. No more waiting, no more wishing. The revolution of capacity must begin today.

Then came the thunderbolt: Chief Ejiogu called on the forum’s leadership to convene him and other leading minds of Okigwe zone to a roundtable discussion, where action could replace applause. And if they do? He pledged to provide 50% of the proposed fund to set the institute in motion. That singular promise turned whispers into hope and gave the summit a new anthem: Okigwe is not abandoned; Okigwe is arising.

It was a speech that didn’t just inform — it transformed.

The keynote lecture that preceded this, delivered by Prof. Obiaraeri, a Professor of Law and the emerging first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN in-view ) from  Okigwe zone, was itself a masterclass. Titled Okigwe Zone: “Otu Mba Di, Owuha  Mere Onweha”. But a New Normal Is Possible, the Professor began by challenging the very choice of venue: Why Owerri? Why not Okigwe? But his intention wasn’t to criticize — it was to remind. Remind the youth that reclaiming their land begins by honouring it.

In a paper rich in political, cultural, and socio-economic insight, he called out the internal sabotage that had plagued the zone — the jealousy, political division, and culture of undercutting one another. He emphasized the need to rediscover common destiny, to build strategic alliances, and to raise a generation that doesn’t just vote but thinks, questions, creates, and leads. The Professor’s words didn’t just hit minds — they haunted hearts. They were raw. They were real. And they were right on time.

The summit, coordinated with a high level of excellence and clarity of vision, was graced by notable presence such as Engr. Innocent Nwokorie, Engr. Sunday Ike, Chief Ethel Nwachukwu, PS Ijeoma, and the Executive Chairman of Isiala Mbano. It was also covered and reported with integrity and precision by Njoku MacDonald Obinna, an international journalist known for capturing the soul of events that shape society. His presence underscored the importance and credibility of this gathering — Okigwe was not just talking to itself, the world was now listening.

The curtain may have fallen on the event, but the vision is only unfolding. For Chief Mike Ejiogu and the other leaders present, this was not a gathering of photo ops — it was the drafting table of destiny. If Okigwe must rise, it must first remember. If it must thrive, it must first unite. And if it must lead, it must first build — with hands that are ready, hearts that are healed, and minds that are renewed.

The crown of a zone is not worn on the head — it is built in the heart. And on this day, in this summit, the heart of Okigwe began to beat again while curious and discerning youths question the conspicuous absence of notable Okigwe leaders, who were also spotted at the various functions in Owerri—the Imo State capital.