By Daniel Gumm

WARRI—IMMEDIATE past Delta State Commissioner in-charge of Youth Development and former President of Iwere Development Association, IDA, Mr Omolubi Newuwumi, has warned Itsekiri against flouting the order of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, regarding the 40 years age limit for any of his subjects holding youth executive position to vacate such office.

Omolubi, a former Vice President of prominent Itsekiri youth body, Warri Social Development Association, WASDA, told newsmen at the Olu of Warri Palace in Warri, that his warning was coming on the heels of increasing speculations that some Itsekiri community leaders had expressed reservation over the Olu’s directive on age limit for youth excos, oldest man in the community (Olare-Aja) and other community leadership positions to relinquish power at the expiration of their tenure.

According to him, the Warri monarch’s directive on age limit for active involvement in youth activities “is in conformity with the United Nation’s regulation of 15-24 years, Sub-Sahara Africa statutes of 15-35 years and even that of Nigeria as well as UNESCO, which define youth as anyone between the ages of 18 to 35 years of age.”

Admonishing youths against falsifying their ages in desperate bid to fall within the age limit directed by the Olu, Newuwumi said that there were authoritative and statistical records to check age cheats, “Who are determined to hold on to youth positions at both community and Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, levels because of their selfish ends.”

He stressed the need for all Itsekiri sons and daughters, no matter their status, to adhere strictly to the Olu of Warri’s order to vacate community elective positions at the expiration of their tenure and for all community heads (Olare-Aja) to reside in their community so as to ensure the much needed development in Itsekiri communities.