By Chinedu Onyejelem

A member of the new Irish community in South Dublin has been elected chair of Young Fine Gael in Trinity College.

Obi Ekoba, the outgoing treasurer of the youth wing and an award-winning third year law student in TCD, is also the party’s local election candidate for Ballyfermot—Drimnagh.

Speaking following his election, Ekoba said one of his main plans is to “get more members” as well as involve more women in the party.

He also promises to use the opportunity to work for the party “to continue in being the most political active society in [Trinity] College”.

The 20-year-old’s candidature was unopposed at the school branch of party’s recent AGM, and he has also been receiving attention following his selection as a local election candidate.

Ekoba’s canvassing material states that he grew up in Drimnagh, attending local primary and secondary schools, and is “seeking to make the area a cleaner, safer and happier environment for us all”.

Among his pledges, Ekoba said he will prioritise “to hire and have more gardaí present in the area. The gardaí are overstretched and cannot respond quickly or adequately to many of residents reports of anti-social behaviour.”

He promises to champion increasing the number of youth workers in Ballyfermot and Drimnagh: “There has been many gangs forming in the area and the introduction of more youth workers will help combat our young people from getting involved in gangs.”

Ekoba is also pledging to help “stop illegal dumping and littering” which are becoming a menace in the area, as well as “to breakup the formation of bike gangs” which he described as a new phenomenon.

“I aim to work with parents and gardaí to nip this problem in the bud before the problem grows worse,” he added.