The Anambra State Chapter of Ohaneze Ndigbo has called on Igbo youths to embrace peace and development while steering clear of social vices such as cultism, thuggery, and kidnapping. This appeal was made during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting and public lecture organized to address the declining interest in the Igbo Apprenticeship System, locally known as “Igbo Boi.”
Once celebrated as a sustainable wealth-creation model, the Igbo Apprenticeship System has suffered setbacks due to poverty, the get-rich-quick mentality, and breaches of trust between mentors (“Oga”) and apprentices (“Boi”).
Speaking at the event, the member representing Anaocha II Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Ejike Okechukwu, attributed the decline to the erosion of mutual agreements within the system. He expressed optimism that the *Igba Boi* Bill, which he sponsored, would regulate and standardize the apprenticeship framework once passed into law, thereby restoring confidence in the system.
The State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emeka Udodeme, emphasized the need for youths to return to values of unity and hard work while rejecting activities that harm Igbo land.
The event also served as an End-of-Year gathering for the apex Igbo socio-cultural group and was graced by prominent figures, including traditional rulers, government officials, and community leaders. Awards were presented to Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Governor; Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; and Chief John Metchie, President General of Umueri Community, for their contributions to Igbo development.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to revitalizing the Igbo Apprenticeship System to attract and empower the younger generation.
