20 November 2008
Governor Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerian youths to devise positive programmes that will contribute to the development of the country.
Akpabio who made the call while declaring open, the first Nigerian Youth Parliament Town Hall Meeting in Uyo, where he was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, said that the inauguration of the youth parliament by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was a challenge to the youths.
The governor said that designing good programmes which may help to solve the nation's problems would help "to justify the confidence that this nation reposes on the youths, "noting that the resolve of his government was to "invest more in the youth development sector to prepare them for responsible citizenship and good leadership."
Stressing that his administration "gives serious attention and commitment to youth programmes and activities, as evidenced in the establishment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports" coupled with the introduction of free education up to Senior Secondary School level and the training of youths for skill development and self reliance, the governor said that 620 youths were undergoing training in agriculture at Nsit Atai Local Government Area and that at the end of their training, "government will equip them with reasonable take-off capital for self sustenance."
Akpabio who expressed delight that the Town Hall was arranged soon after the inauguration of the Parliament, charged the youths to use the forum to speak against social vices such as cultism, violence and disrespect to parents and constituted authorities and urged them to find solutions to the problems.
Noting that the youths had a stake in the Niger Delta region, he urged them to be committed to ensuring stability of the area.
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