From SUNNY A. DAVID, in Awka:
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on Sunday, charged youths to support the battle to reclaim the State from gunmen and other criminals terrorizing the State, our correspondent reports.
The charge is coming on the heels of several lives and property lost following activities of kidnappers and other criminals in the five months of Soludo’s administration in Anambra State.
This is as the Governor disclosed that the administration has mapped out N2.5 billion for youth employment, aside employment, skills acquisition and other opportunities reserved for youth.
Speaking during the celebration of the International Youth Day in Awka, with the theme: Solution for Digital Transformation, Soludo said the government would only succeed in decimating the hoodlums when the youth refrain from societal vices, develop their skills and talents.
Mr. Governor tasked them on revealing identities of the hoodlums to the security and government appropriately.
“Light has nothing in common with darkness. If you see something, say something. The future belonged to you, today is yours. We invite you because things have changed. It is time for everyone to contribute towards changing our society.
“You must take charge of your future. The hoodlums are organised to ruin your future. The youth must be organised to take back their future.
“Anambra State is a brand. Our brand is entrepreneurship. The core value of Igbo, Anambra state in particular, is that you must work before you eat.
“The society died the day we stopped asking people how they made their wealth. We must go back to our core values. Stop celebrating those you don’t know how they made their wealth,” he noted.”
Similarly, a former Commissioner for Basic Education in the State, Professor Kate Omenugha, advocated for human capital development including education on history and philosophy of Igbo Nation, and proverbs.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha-Mba, explained that the ministry has positioned itself to drive the policies and agenda of the incumbent administration, including pursuing the vision of a live-able and prosperous State through community based approach.