Leadership (Abuja)
20 November 2008
Governor Godswill Akpabio said the inauguration of the Nigerian Youth Parliament by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua somtimes ago, was a challenge to Nigerian youths and therefore, urged them to device positive programmes that would contribute to the development of the country.
Chief Akpabio stated this while declaring open, the first Nigerian Youth Parliament Town Hall Meeting which was held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
According to him, devising good programmes which may help to solve the nation's problems would help "to justify the confidence that this nation reposes in the youths". Represented by his deputy, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, the governor reiterated the resolve of his administration to "invest more in the Youth Development Sector in order to prepare them for responsible citizenship and good leadership."
Chief Akpabio emphasised 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.
According to the governor, more than 620 youths were undergoing training in agriculture at Nsit Atai Local Government Area. At the end of their training, "government will equip them with reasonable take-off capital for self sustenance." Chief Akpabio, who expressed delight that the Town Hall meeting 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 Noting that the youths had a stake in the Niger Delta region, he urged them to be committed to ensure stability of the area.
The State Chief Executive who congratulated the Speaker of the Youth Parliament, Mr. Onofiok Luke, encouraged participants at the meeting to expand their circle of friendship by making more friendship. This, he noted, would promote peace, unity and oneness of the nation. Addressing participants, the Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mr. Bulus Zoaka, saluted the speed, zeal, commitment and dedication of the Youth Parliament to make a positive impact.
Senator Akinlabi charged participants at the meeting to brainstorm on the development challenges like health, education and HIV/AIDS, facing the Nigerian youths, and come up with a collective resolution which would form the nucleus of Parliament Plenary Sessions, come December 2008. The Minister, who urged the youths to shun sentiments and concentrate on issues of nation building and development, pledged that, his Ministry, vested with the power to implement youth resolutions, would ensure that decisions reached by the Parliament were implemented to the letter.
On his part, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Enobong Umoetuk, observed that the government of Chief Godswill Akpabio had given youth development its deserved prominence, by giving opportunities for many youths to be appointed as Personal/Special Assistants at the local and state government levels. Noting that the future was not bleak for the youths, he said the interest of the state government in youth development could be summarized "as a faith directed towards effective changes that will bring the collective ideas and concepts embedded in our youths for greater and brighter Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
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