by Ebele Ofodile
The Lilu Youth Development Forum has held its maiden annual conference in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, marking a formal step toward organised youth engagement and community development in Lilu.
The conference, which took place at the Ihiala Local Government Secretariat, was held under the theme Productive Youths, Peaceful Community and drew traditional leaders, political actors, business stakeholders and youths from the area.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of the forum, Mr Chinedu Ezeifedi, described the gathering as more than a ceremonial milestone, saying it represented unity, renewed hope and a shared commitment to the future of the community. He noted that the forum was convening at a critical moment defined by both challenges and opportunities, stressing the need for collective responsibility in shaping the direction of Lilu.
Ezeifedi said the conference was a call to traditional rulers, political leaders and business figures to support inclusive politics, genuine youth participation, partnerships and investments capable of unlocking the productive potential of young people in the town. He explained that the Lilu Youth Development Forum was established to provide a platform for positive youth engagement, leadership development, skills acquisition, peace advocacy and community-driven solutions.
According to him, the conference marked the beginning of a structured and sustained effort to reposition youths as partners in development rather than passive observers of governance. He added that a productive youth population remains the strongest foundation for a peaceful community, noting that empowered and inspired young people naturally become drivers of stability, innovation and growth.
Highlighting the forum’s achievements within seven months of its formation, Ezeifedi said the group had fostered unity among Lilu youths, organised training programmes and deployed twenty-five trained security volunteers to complement existing security efforts in the area. He explained that the volunteers, made up of young men from the community, were serving with discipline and a strong sense of duty.
He further disclosed that the initiative included a three-month intensive training camp conducted by a reputable security company, the procurement of a Toyota Tacoma patrol truck, five motorcycles dedicated to security operations, the provision of stipends to support the volunteers, as well as the acquisition of communication gadgets and other equipment.
In his remarks, Chief Felix C. Ojukwu of Umuzu Lilu urged residents to embrace peace and reject actions capable of undermining communal harmony. He called on community members to promote peaceful coexistence among neighbours, noting that internal conflicts only hinder growth and development.
The Lilu Youth Development Forum is a youth-focused organisation in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area, established to promote peace, security, leadership development and productive engagement of young people as active stakeholders in community development.
