By Ifeyinwa Ogwo:
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo has charged the youths of Anambra to be productive, shun vices and utilize every opportunity they have in acquiring worthwhile skills.
Gov. Soludo said this at the Anambra Youth Symposium and Unveiling of Policy Documents and Youth Employment Training Programme in celebration of Youth Earnestly Seek Solution (YESS) at 3 in Awka.
He noted that the youths are leaders of today and have the power to change the narrative of the country through their commitment and participation in every sector of the country.
“We have youths in my government now and we have raised the budget for youth empowerment from 500 million to 2.5 billion to ensure our youths are employers of labour.
“We are going to replace entitlement culture with productivity and what will drive us to make an appointment in this government will be based on the value of productiveness,” he said.
Gov. Soludo tasked the youths to report any criminal activities going on around their localities noting that Anambra will not be a home of criminals.
“If you see something or hear something, say it because we want to take back our state; nowhere will be safe for criminals in Anambra and we will not use what is happening in the country as an excuse to allow crime and evil to strive.’’
He lauded the leaders of the group and its members for organizing the event noting that it is rare to see a support group that is not transactional.
He, then, promised to give enablement to those currently undergoing and participating in various trainings midwifed by the government after their sessions, noting that Anambra has the largest entrepreneur in the country which must be maintained.
Earlier, the keynote speaker, former Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) boss, Chief Osita Chidoka encouraged the youths to develop their skills and learn new ones, noting that the new Nigeria will be determined by the youths.
“Nigeria is a youthful nation and the current movement of the youths for better governance shows that the youths are out to change the narrative of this country.
“Use your youthful energy to achieve a lot and utilize every opportunity thrust towards you judiciously and effectively.”
He advised them to make themselves available at all times for work, apply the concept of knowledge, not insult or oppress others and above all have the fear of God.
In an interview, the Commissioner for Entertainment, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji noted that the administration of Gov. Soludo has a special slot in his government for the physically challenge persons as he does for the youths in the state.
He noted that in the current teacher’s recruitment, some physically challenged were part of the programme because of their intelligence and capacity.
“As far as this government is concerned, no physically challenged person who participated in the teacher’s recruitment written exams, interviews and passed was excluded.”
He noted that the tourism and the entertainment sector are for everyone and any physically challenged person who can sing, act, perform or do anything in the entertainment industry will be protected.
He enjoined Ndi Anambra to join hands with Gov. Soludo to make the state liveable, lovable, and a prosperous smart mega city.
The event featured a discussion session with different young entrepreneurs and the unveiling of the policy document for the group. (MOI)
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