Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that his administration will continue to take deliberate steps aimed at preparing Abia Youths for the challenges of leadership.
The Governor was speaking when he received a delegation of the South East leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria at Government House Umuahia.
He said that his administration has invested heavily in the youths of the State in various ways including availing them opportunities to hold top positions in government.
While noting that the State government’s investments in the development of youths is key to capacity building, the governor said that his conviction is to imbibe in youths the possibility of excelling even in difficult situations.
Describing the NYCN as a veritable platform that can motivate the youths, Governor Ikpeazu enjoined the Council to avail the youths of business prospects through education and mentorship adding that he would want to see Abia youths excel and add to the economy of the nation.
He urged the youths to look inwards as everything they need to survive is available within their immediate environment and stressed the need for them to sustain their resilience and hardwork they are known for.
The Governor aprroved the request of the State Council of the NYCN to incorporate the Abia Youth House into the planned remodeling of the Nsulu Games Village.
Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Emeka Ikwuagwu who described Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as a youth friendly Governor, highlighted many of his achievements geared towards youth development, including Education for Employment programme (E4E), establishment of Abia State Homeland Ministry, TMASS among others, all of which he said have employed thousands of youths in the State.
The Commissioner assured that the Ministry wiil continue to prioritize youth matters in the State to aid youths to achieve their potentials.
In his Speech, the State Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, Comrade Sylvanus Smith who said that the South East leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria was in Abia State for its stakeholders meeting thanked the Governor for changing the narrative of youth empowerment to youth development.
He appealled to the Governor to sustain the financial support being given to the State Ministry of Youth & Sports as well as encourage the social State investment Office to reach more youths among other requests.
Highlights of the visit was the decoration of the Governor as the Grand Patron of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter and presentation of an award as “The Most Youth Development Support Governor in South East” by the National Executive Council of the NYCN.
