Ikpeazu To Establish Youth Acquisition Centre, Vows To Increase Youth Representation In Governance

Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu says his administration is collaborating with the French Government to establish the Youth Acquisition Center at the Nsulu Games Village, in Isialangwa North local government area of the state.

The Governor further reiterated the commitment of his administration to foster inclusion of young people in governance as avenue that will avail them opportunities to aspire towards self actualization and become greater leaders of tommorow which is the essence of leadership.

Governor Ikpeazu disclosed this at his Aba lodge, Wednesday when members of the Maduforo Youths Movement paid him a courtesy visit, Chief press secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka said in a press statement.

According to the statement, the Governor explained that his administration recognizes the need to empower the youths on the rudiments of leadership to deepen democracy and moved ahead to conduct local government election two consecutive times where youths of the state were elected into various positions.

In addition to the proposed Youth Acquisition Center, the Governor noted that the planned Automated Garment factory at Umukalika, Obingwa will generate over 100 direct jobs for young people.

Governor Ikpeazu who challenged the youths to leverage on the establishment of Agro based Cottage Industries in the 17 LGAs, out of which five are ready ,disclosing that the State SME Bank will soon receive One Hundred Million Naira that will be directed at supporting mostly Women and Youths with bankable economic ideas, adding that his administration is interested in workable templates of empowerment ideas that will improve the economic status of its citizens.

The statement read in part, “The Governor who disclosed the audacious moves taken to embark on most roads project with grade one contractors despite the lean available resources, restated that the roads are of socio-economic importance and assured of his determination to realize the roads linking Ukwa East LGA through Obohia – Ohanku as the contractor handling Aba – Owerri road has been mobilized to site.

“He assured that work will resume Ekwereazu road noting that the State has remobilized the contractor because the road plays critical role towards boosting trade and Commerce of the State because it remains the only link between us and Akwa Ibom State.

“According to the Governor, work will soon commence on ABSUTH road with Cement Technology and the Osisioma Fly Over so as to bequeath to Abians long lasting project legacies.

“The Governor who encouraged the Youths to engage their Federal legislators on those projects related to the Federal Government, also assured that he will consider their requests for more specific inclusion in governance after taking all other issues into consideration. He announced the award of a Phd Scholarship to one of their members, Mr Anucha Wisdom and advised them to focus more on building integrity and learning the virtue of slow but steady growth in the political environment

“Presenting an address earlier, the President, Maduforo Youths Movement – Mr Nwazuo Stephen said that the non political group is aimed at enthroning good governance, Youths inclusion and Sustainable Empowerment and thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for conducting local government elections that produced many youths as elected officials. He also lauded his infrastructural, Health, Education and Security achievements which has helped to address Social unrest in the state.

“He appealed for empowerment of the youths in ICT and Agriculture which are the alternative ventures for economic survival through their established database with verifiable skilled members adding that more attention should be given to some roads in the State.

“The Governor was later pronounced the Grand Patron of the Association and formally decorated.

“Commissioner for Information Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Mr Ikechi Aaron, Chief Okey Ahiwe and other Aides of the Governor were present during the visit.”