The administrative organ of the Gbaramatu Youth Development Association, also known as the Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) Worldwide, under the leadership of Hon. Shadrach Ebikeme, has been given a tenure extension of 18 months to continue to preside over the affairs of the umbrella body of youths in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The decision was reached by stakeholders of the youth body after an emergency meeting that held at Casa De Pedro Annex along Refinery Road in Warri, on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Speaking to PENGlobal Community after the meeting, the General Secretary, Comr. Ebikefe Asoh, revealed that one of the conditions that led to the tenure elongation is the achievements recorded by the leadership of the youth body.

He said,"The general assembly, after much deliberation, agreed to the one year six months extension, of which three months into its expiration, an ELECO will be set up to conduct elections to bring in a new set of executives.

"Secondly, the house gave us the one year six months with a demand to deliver more as we have been doing over the years. They made it clear that it's not yet time for us to sit down and clap our hands, but it's time to put our hands to work and bring back positive results to the youths of Gbaramatu in general, and Gbaramatu as a Kingdom.

"The parliament gave a go-ahead to that regard that they've given their approval. They told us to continue working, thanked us for the job done so far, and tasked us to do more. And then a lot of other issues were discussed," he added.

Among the other issues discussed is one that was centered on the argument that the tenure elongation should not be seen as compulsory for every executive of the council, but that it is restrained to the unanimous decision of the general assembly based strictly on performance.

“One significant issue that was discussed was the fact that, someone raised a very strong issue, that moving forward, no exco after this current exco, should think that because Mr. A was given extension during his tenure, they too must be given," said Comr. Asoh.

“That it should be inscribed in the Constitution that it should be based on your capacity, work done, or how well you've served, that will determine whether you will be given extension or not. It's not going to be business as usual that anybody that comes in must get an extension.”

Barring any last minute change, with the current decision reached by stakeholders of the youth body after months of deliberations, the Hon. Ebikeme-led exco whose three-year tenure ended May 29, 2023, will now preside over the executive organ of the GYC till November 2024.

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