Security concerns took the front burner as the people of Ahuwa-Oboro ancient kingdom in Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State celebrated the Ahuwa Oboro Day. Speakers at the function decried the security challenges in the area.

Youth restiveness and boundary dispute were identified as twin sources of the security challenges facing the area.

Ahuwa-Oboro Day is a day set aside by the community to take stock of events of the outgoing year, with a view to raising a plan for the next year. While presenting his welcome address during the occasion, the President-General of Ahuwa-Oboro ancient kingdom, Engr. James Obadiah Uchegbuo, used the opportunity to draw attention of the world to insecurity in the area.

"Our community has been having series of security challenges arising from youth restiveness which include cultism and other criminal vices," he said.

Uchegbuo decried the boundary dispute between Ahuwa-Oboro and her Ngwa neighbour which, he noted, has created headaches for the community.

The President-General narrated how the people of Umuode Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA in their expansionist bid, encroached on Ahuwa-Oboro land and instituted a court case against the community, claiming N500,000 as damages.

“We pray to every Oboro son and daughter to help, to enable us protect Oboro territorial land, stretching from Ahuwa-Oboro axis, from being ceded to Umuode in Isiala Ngwa North," he appealed.

He enjoined Ahuwa Oboro people to use the occasion for deeper reflection, reappraisal and perfection of strategies to check the security challenges facing the community.

Chairman of the occasion which was also used to launch the 2017 Almanac of the community, Mr. Chijindu Awazie, appealed to the people to always strive to put the interest of the community first, reminding them that they must contribute their quota for the community to make progress.

Awazie counseled the youths to shun various anti-social behaviours and imbibe good virtues that would profit them in life as well as their families and the community. He also appealed to parents to properly train their children and inculcate in them, the right attitude to life so that they would be useful to the community in future.

Awazie, who is noted for his philanthropy in the community and beyond, urged support for the President-General to enable him to succeed, and commended him for the giant strides his administration has recorded so far.

The immediate past Transition Committee Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Major Emmanuel A. Awa (rtd), Mr. Henry Ekpe, among other personalities from the community, graced the occasion.