The Executive Chairman, Ohafia Local Government Council, Dr Okoroafor Ukaiwe has disclosed that aside meeting the mandate of ensuring security of lives and properties, Human Capital Development remains the main focus of his administration.
This he said is aimed at tackling unemployment and providing vocational skills for youths of the area.
Speaking during an interaction with Newsmen at the Council’s Headquarters in Ebem, the Chairman noted that non acquisition of Skills among youths is the major factor that has increased unemployment among them thereby making them vulnerable and willing tools in perpetrating crimes within the society.
He further disclosed that apart from training youths in vocation, the Council is equally securing micro credits for businesses that are doing well.
According to Dr Ukiwe, about 600 youths are currently in training adding that the local government council adopted the traditional system of apprenticeship where the youths learn a trade for a certain period of time before being settled when they would have been adjudged to have mastered the trade or skills.
The Council boss recalled that the invasion of the area by “unknown gunmen” prompted a breach of security in the area which lasted for weeks; a situation that temporary locked down the Council area, “But we have been able to resolve that problem without further destruction of property, loss of economic capacities, and currently, Ohafia is peaceful and people are going about their normal businesses”.
“Part of the problem during that crisis was that, we discovered that the younger people as being used as Canon Folders, our able young men are not gainfully employed, alot of them do not have legitimate source of living to feed themselves and their families making them readily available for people to use.
“So in realising that was the major problem, we approached the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and had meaningful discussions with him and he approved a Youth Skills Acquisition Project for the young people of Ohafia and we have concluded the first phase of that project which was the flag off where we have been able to register young people on different areas of vacation so that they will be able to acquire skills and earn a living for themselves.
“We are in partnership with some government agencies and they have come recently to distribute conditional relief grants to the people”.
Describing the Youths as the life engine of every Society, Dr Ukiwe said they need to be encouraged, motivated and empowered.
The Council boss who also used the opportunity to reel out the achievements of his administration in the past eight months, said his administration has achieved alot in meeting the health care needs of the people among others adding this commitment is to ensure that the people of the Council Area are Healthy.
He advised youths of the area to be law abiding and shun all forms of crimes and criminalities.
The Deputy Chairman, Hon.Samuel Kalu was present during the session.
