Hon Akudo Ojiego
By David Onwuchekwa
The Anambra South Director of the City Boy Movement, Hon Akudo Ojiego (Ukpaka Osumenyi), has declared that the group will continue its grassroots outreach across the senatorial district despite the disruption that marred the group’s empowerment rally in Owerri, Imo State.
The rally, organised for the five South-East states, witnessed chaos on Saturday when palliatives meant for distribution were looted at the venue.
Several empowerment items had been assembled for beneficiaries, including food items, mobile phones, sewing and grinding machines.
However, shortly before the commencement of the distribution exercise, the crowd surged forward in a rush to obtain the items, resulting in a stampede as some individuals carted away the materials meant for beneficiaries.
The group leader in the South East, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, suggested that the individuals who looted the items may have come from outside the venue, describing the incident as a possible attempt to disrupt the event.
Speaking in an interview, Hon. Ojiego on his part described the disruption as unfortunate but insisted it would not derail the programme’s objectives.
According to him, the initiative was designed to support and empower young people, market traders and other vulnerable groups across the South-East.
“The Renewed Hope National Tour and the City Boy Movement South-East Youth Tour and Empowerment Programme, which officially kicked off on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Heroes Square in Owerri, Imo State, was on progress before the incident occurred,” he said.
Ojiego explained that the palliatives prepared for beneficiaries from Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu States included shuttle buses, sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, barbing kits, wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, smartphones for content creators, generator sets, laptops, cash grants, farming kits and fertilisers, hair salon equipment, among others.
He said trouble started when some unidentified individuals suddenly stormed the venue and began carting away the items meant for the empowerment programme.
“This unexpected disruption created panic within the crowd and unfortunately resulted in a stampede,” he added.
Ojiego expressed appreciation to the patron of the movement, Seyi Bola Tinubu, the South-East leader of the group, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana), and the Anambra State Director of the movement, Hon. Nonso Ozoemena, for their untiring efforts in advancing the activities of the organisation despite the setback.
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to continuing its sensitization outreach programmes to the grassroots.
