By Tony Edike
TO ensure adequate participation of its indigenes in the ongoing voters registration, the  Federated Neke Autonomous Communities in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State has ordered that any of its son or daughter who failed to obtain the  voters card  for 2011 general election would no longer be regarded as an indigene of the area.

The community said the identification of indigenes of the town would be based on presentation of voters’ card by those who have attained the age of 18 years and above.

It also declared that parents must produce their voters’ cards before their wards would be registered into primary and secondary schools in the area.

Besides, traditional rulers of Neke community said they will punish any son or daughter of theirs who was up to 18 years but failed to obtain the voters’ card.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 2010 annual general assembly held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Neke, and signed by FENAC President, Elder John Agbo, and Evangelist Joseph Agbo, the community urged its indigenes to avail themselves of the opportunity of the voters’ registration to perform their civic obligations and register as good citizens of the country.

“FENAC resolved that the voters’ card would be a ticket both for admission in primary and secondary schools, as well as for identification for anyone within the community,” the communique said.

The community, however, urged religious, political, traditional and economic leaders at different levels, to mobilise the people for mass participation in the voters’ registration which holds between 15th and 29th January 2011.”

It also charged all Neke people to participate actively in the 2011 political activities to enable them  elect leaders that would represent them effectively and give them dividends of democracy and sense of belonging.