Youths of Bonny Kingdom’s ancestral homeland, Orupiri, have been charged to expect a paradigm shift in the way they have been engaged and opportunities coming their way just as they were assured of an inclusive administration that accommodates their critical input in moving the community forward.

The newly elected Leader of the Orupiri Youth Association (OYA), Nengi Apiafi Jumbo gave this charge during the inauguration of the new executive by the Electoral Committee led by Ipirinye Fenibo on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in Bonny. Jumbo, incidentally, is the first elected youth leader of the community.

“I humbly accept the appointment as the first Youth Leader to be voted for in this great community, Orupiri. I wish to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to all the leaders and people of the community for their strong support.”

“I follow in a line of remarkable leaders. They have also faced this moment, each at a critical juncture in the organization’s history. Like myself today, they must have pondered what the years ahead would hold at the helm of this dynamic institution. Each made important and lasting contributions to our common enterprise in upholding humanity’s deepest values and highest aspirations.”

Declaring that this was the dawn of a new era, Jumbo enjoined his kith and kin to leave the past behind and consolidate on their unity, reiterating that with God on their side, their aspirations would be actualized.

“We should forget the past and put it behind us. Together we are stronger and we need to strive for what the future holds for us and our dear community, especially, with God on our side. I want to assure you that development, skill acquisition trainings, jobs, and so many more will come as we start a new chapter. 

“This is the dawn of a new era when we should be able to connect to the world and how it currently works. We will engage authorities, institutions and personalities in our stride to reinvent our community. We will work with our elders, brothers and sisters and other stakeholders to move this community forward and expand the scope of opportunities available to our youths.”

Aside the Leader, the newly inaugurated executive includes Deputy Leader, David Jumbo, Secretary, Dienye Sotonye Jumbo, Treasurer, Gloria Boma Abbey, Public Relations Officer, Edward Dagogo Abbey, Welfare Officer, Gift Abbey, and Provost, Precious Jumbo.

The Orupiri Youth Leader used the opportunity to thank the youths for their support evidenced in voting for his executive, expressing his appreciation to elders of the community for their guidance and direction, assuring them of their constant consultation to steer the community youths in the right direction.

“I stand before you, deeply touched and inspired by your generous words of congratulations and encouragement. With boundless gratitude for the confidence placed in me by the members and with an unswerving resolve to honor that trust.”

“Distinguished delegates, by completing the appointment of the next Youth leader with such alacrity, you have opened an unprecedented opportunity. As the incoming Youth Leader, I will use these weeks to consult widely on how best to proceed with our common agenda of reform and revitalization.  I will listen attentively to your concerns, expectations and admonitions.”

“In particular, I remain indebted to our uncles, Adonye Jumbo and Godswill Jumbo, who have astutely guided our organization into the dynamics of the 21st century. You have defined an ambitious agenda that has made the community truly indispensable to peace, prosperity and human dignity around the kingdom. Our debt to your courage and vision is immeasurable.  I resolve to build upon your legacy.”

“Let me also thank the Chairman of the Eleco, our elder brother, Ipirinye Fenibo for all the efforts of your committee to ensure a smooth transition from one leadership to the other. Your efforts will not be forgotten, Sir.”  

Orupiri Community, one of the aboriginal communities in Nigeria’s Delta region, was where the ancestors of what later became Bonny Kingdom settled before the discovery of Bonny Town.

The four ancestors, Okpara Ndoli, Opuamakuba, Alagbariya, and Asimini, arrived Orupiri in the 16^th century and settled there until Alagbariya, popularly known as Amakoromabo (founder of Bonny) discovered Bonny mainland in one of his fishing expeditions and led to their migration to what is now known as Bonny Town.  

The community until today still holds the totems that define its ancestral heritage.

Earlier, the outgoing Youth Leader, Nengi James Jumbo had expressed his gratitude to the youths and elders of the community for the opportunity granted him and his executive to serve, promising to be at the beck and call of the new leadership any time they come to consult with him.

On his part, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Ipirinye Fenibo, thanked the youths for their support to his committee which, according to him, ensured a smooth transition between the outgoing and incoming leadership, noting that his committee put in their best to ensure the transition process went seamlessly in the understanding that the outcome of such process was key to the development of the youths of the community.