Stakeholders at the non-partisan Town Hall Meeting in Abia state have called on governments at all levels to carry the youths along in their policies and programmes irrespective of party affiliations as a panacea to curbing Youth restivessness.
Speaking at the Special Town Hall meeting convened by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in collaboration with the Federal Government, the stakeholders appealed to the End SARS Protesting youths to sheath their swords in the interest of peace and the socio- economic growth and development of the state and Igbo nation at large.
They condemned the wanton destruction of public and private properties and advocated for dialogue as a means of resolving grievances.
Declaring the town hall meeting open, at Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu regretted that the hitertho peaceful protest was hijacked by criminal elements to destroy public and private property, hence the meeting which was geared towards deepening government’s commitment to the demands of the youths.
Ikpeazu said the meeting was convened to bring stakeholders up to speed with happenings in the state and to foster peace.
He noted that the protests in the state to agitate for the end of police brutality was hijacked by enemies of the state to unleash mayhem across different parts of the state with the looting of four banks, burning down of Onions Market in Aba as well as Police Stations and 18 brand new trucks belonging to an Igbo businessman among others.
“What we faced in Abia was not End SARS protest. It was a plan and well orchestrated attempt to reign mayhem and bring about chaos”, Ikpeazu said.
The Governor called on all stakeholders to deploy everything within their powers to appeal to the youths to desist from destroying public and private properties saying that government has noted their grievances with a view to tackling them.
While stressing that the Igbos contribute about 80% of Gross Domestic Product in Lagos alone and do various businesses in the North and other parts of the country, the Governor expressed worry that the nefarious actions across the state and beyond frighten the fragile unity of the nation.
Governor Ikpeazu higlighted the efforts of the present administration in ensuring the inclusion of youths in the governance of the State and disclosed that his administration has put in place measures to engage the youths positively as a panacea to curbing youth restiveness since assumption of office with 60% of his cabinet drawn from youths.
He noted that his administration is ensuring the conduct of the Local Government elections are held to include youths in leadership pointing out that the institution of Homeland Security with 300 security guards trained, employement of 500 persons in TIMASS, establishment of E4E with 3,400 youths on the data base and linking up of youths to federal government empowerment programs among others were done to engage the youths and create employment opportunities.
Also Speaking, the Minister of State for Mines & Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah stressed the need for all to embrace peace and unity adding that unity in diversity is of essence to Igbo nation who are always at the receiving end in cases of upheavals in the country.
Ogah commended Governor Ikpeazu for partnering the Federal government to convene the meeting aimed at informing the stakeholders on the negative implications of fanning the embers of violence and war.
He said, “although the youths have the right to ask for good governance,voilence is not the way to go”, and called on the youths to engage the government in dialogue and refrain from destruction of public and private properties.
Ogah therefore called for all hands to be on deck to build the economic base of Ndi Igbo.
In his contribution, the Member representing, Bende Federal constituency at the National Assembly, Barr. Benjamin Kalu while calling for a regular interface between government and the youths,challenged the stakeholders to take the message of peace home and assist government to maintain peace and tranquility in their various domains.
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According to him, the youths need to be part of governance and called on them to stop the protest as their grievances are heard.
He appreciated the avenues created by Governor Ikpeazu to employ more youths, arguing that if more youths are engaged in various employment it would curb youth restiveness.
In his speech, the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Chinedum Orji regretted that the hitherto peaceful protest was hijacked by rioters and called for calm.
Orji, requested the National Assembly to enact a friendly law on job creation assuring that Abia State House of Assembly would domesticate it and urgedoliticians to empower the youths so that the youths would assist in the fight against criminals.
The interactive section featured various speeches by the Chairman, Abia Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Nwabekee, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Apostle Emmanuel Agomoh, Chairman, Northern community Alhaji Sariki Yaro Danladi, Chairman National Youth Council, Engr. Smith Sylvanus,NANS representative, Comrade Frank Eme Orji, representative of SUG Presidents, John Nwakanma, Saint Moses Ogbonna, Hon. John Godson among others.
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