The Bayelsa East Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), HRH Israel Sunny-Goli, has advocated innovative and proactive youth leadership to sustain peace and security in Niger Delta communities.
Sunny-Goli, also known as Kemmer V, said youth leaders must be humble, responsive and willing to listen to their people to promote peace and development.
The traditional ruler and APC candidate stated this at the grand finale of the fourth International Youth Day Celebration organised by the Okpoama Kingdom Youth Movement.
The four-day event was held in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, and featured cultural displays, including performances by the Bright Future Cultural Group.
Sunny-Goli, who chaired the occasion, commended the President of the Okpoama Kingdom Youth Movement, Engr. Seiyefa Felix Ben-Basuo, for his leadership style and achievements.
He attributed the relative peace in the coastal community to the youth president’s innovative approach, peaceful disposition and humility.
“Every community must have a vibrant youth leadership to prepare its youths for the future,” Sunny-Goli said.
He described Okpoama Kingdom as fortunate to have a youth leader capable of providing the direction needed to promote peace and development.
“Since his assumption of office as youth president, the community has witnessed absolute peace. Peace is the only ingredient that can bring development in any society,” he said.
Sunny-Goli said without peace, meaningful development could not be achieved, stressing that youth leaders must exemplify peaceful conduct.
He added that the Okpoama Kingdom youth leadership had demonstrated its capacity to contribute positively to the development of the community.
The monarch said his decision to attend the event was informed by Ben-Basuo’s performance and the people-oriented initiatives and youth empowerment programmes implemented under his leadership.
Sunny-Goli pledged to support the youth president in his future endeavours, noting that youth leadership could serve as a platform for developing higher leadership capacities.
He urged young people across Niger Delta communities to embrace responsible leadership and initiatives capable of promoting peace, unity and sustainable development.