The two-day 8th General Conference of Zeliang Officers’ Association Nagaland (ZOAN) which commenced on 4th April, 2025 concluded at DC’s Conference Hall, District HQ, Peren on 5th April, 2025 with Dp. Chief Minister and Minister incharge of Planning & Transformation and National Highways, TR Zeliang as the special guest.
In his address, TR Zeliang said “while we must live in the present and plan for the future, we must also pause to honour our past- a past illuminated by trailblazers who sets benchmarks for generations to come. It is also important to retrospect and reflect on how and where our people have been and where we are today, and make a comparative study”.
Stressing on the preservation of culture, Zeliang said, it is an inevitable fact that along with the world, the Zeliang people are also in the modernization era. However, balancing modernity with preservation of rich traditions, language and heritage is of utmost importance and at the end of the day, it is our culture and identity that defines us. And if we lose it, we lose ourselves, Zeliang added.
In this regard, he urged the officers to lead the way and also earnestly called upon each one of them to preserve and help the Zeliang culture from being diluted with inaccurate narration or addition, and omission of the age old practices.
On youth empowerment, he also stated that, youths are our greatest asset, yet many wander without direction. Therefore, we must ensure that our younger generation has access to equality education, skill development and employment opportunities. In this regard, he mentioned that, the Polytechnic Institute and the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) established in the extended District HQ. is non-functional due to zero enrollments of students as the resources available at the doorstep are not being taken advantage of.
He requested the Deputy Commissioner to take initiative in collaboration with ZOAN and work out a strategy to create awareness among the youths so that they can be trained and made employable either in Government or Private Sector.
Zeliang also said, it has already been a decade since DC Office and other offices had been shifted to this Extended District HQ, but human settlement is still very low. He lamented that the infrastructures are unattended and deteriorating due to non-occupation of structures. Therefore, he reiterated that the Deputy Commissioner to prioritize allotment of plot to local officers and staff in order to ensure that they build their house and settle so that the Extended District HQ can be transformed into a thriving model township.
Stating that the young generation look up to the officers for direction and guidance, he appealed for them to mentor the youth in the best possible way. He also appealed them to guide and inspire the next generation to take up leadership roles.
In his speech, he also said if we can learn and work together, we can be more productive and take our people forward in a better direction. Therefore, he called upon the gathering for better coordination between the Elected Members of the District and Officers serving in various departments.
In conclusion, he encouraged the officers to strengthen the community bonds and work together, transcending differences for a brighter future, leading the way with a clear vision, strongly bounded by principles of integrity and selflessness, so that “we will see that we are second to none and our bonds as brothers and sisters and as community will become stronger”.
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In the business session, after the presentation of reports by the respective secretaries, discussion on agendas and adoption of resolutions was held. Meanwhile, installation prayer for the new Executives of ZOAN for the tenure 2025-2027 was offered by Executive Secretary, LBA, Rev. Wichampau Nchang.
The new team will be headed by Keyirangding Hegui, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Peren as the President and Peihau Nsarangbe, Assistant Director, Art & Culture Department as the General Secretary. Other Officials include: Vice-President – Er. Kewizun Zeliang, Superintendent of Police, NPTO; Joint Secretary – Samuel Newmai, Section Officer, Finance Department; Finance Secretary – Kuheirang, Planning Officer, Planning & Transformation; Treasurer – Namdigwang Kuame, Assistant Superintendent, Directorate of Agriculture; Executive Member, Peren – Samzaiyile Hega, Assistant Professor, Peren Government College; Executive Member, Tening – Er. Vollie Renta, Junior Engineer, PHED, Tening and Executive Member, Jalukie – Namrenbe, Vice Principal, GHSS Jalukie.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Raithu Newmai, General Secretary ZOAN, and began with a presidential address and greetings delivered by Dr. Hiabe Zeliang, President, ZOAN and Zandi Domta, President, NZPO respectively. A solidarity speech was delivered by K. Haralu, Director (Retd.), Founding President, ZOAN.
At the event, certificates of appreciation were also given to five (5) officers in recognition of their hardwork and yeoman service in settling the land issue between Veterinary Department and Jalukie Village Phumling. It concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Rezulule, Joint Secretary, ZOAN.
Additionally on 4th April, 2025, a symposium with Village Councils and Civil Society Organizations was held successfully with DC Peren, Hiazu Meru and ADC Peren, Keyirangding Hegui as the resource persons.
