By Kenneth Udeh
Ekwunife Commends Soludo On Security And Youth Empowerment
Senator Uche Ekwunife representing Anambra Central , on Saturday outlined her numerous empowerment initiatives recorded under tenure at 9th Senate aimed at harnessing the talent and vocational skills of youths in her constituency and the State at large.
While praising the state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo on his administration’s efforts to exploit the potentials of the youths in order to contribute to the development of the local economy , the Anambra Central Senator appreciated the Governor’s efforts of securing the lives and property in the state.
Ekwunife who doubles as the Senate Committee Chairman on Science and Technology who was among the panelists, described the youths as the backbone of every nation and stressing that the direction of a country is directly proportional to the productivity of the young population.
Speaking to thousands of youths who converged at the Stanel Dome, Awka Ekwunife urged the youth to look beyond certificates and arm themselves with skills which will make them problem solvers in the society. She stated that skills acquisition would reduce youth restiveness and unemployment to the barest minimum.
In her capacity as Legislator, Ekwunife listed various youth skill development programmes which she has facilitated to her constituents via the National Zonal Intervention and Constituency programme by the Federal Government. Amongst which include; New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) which organised skills acquisition programme for youths and women in Anambra State where hundreds were tutored to make hats, beads, slippers, cakes, bags, shoes and hand fans, among others; through the Nigerian Building & Road Research Institute (NBRRI) Ekwunife trained youths on the use of NBRRI Finished Products in Building through Modern Masonry, Carpentry And Painting For Skilled Technicians to name a few.
Sharing her thoughts at the event organised by the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism, Ekwunife said; “the government has a leading role to play in youth empowerment, and can show this leadership by providing education and training for young people.
“Provision of skill, business, moral and financial support are avenues through which the government can also assist young people achieve their full potential.
“In my capacity as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have prioritised youth development and empowerment programmes. Over 7000 constituents have benefitted from the various tranches of our skill acquisition and development programmes for women and youths.
“Youth empowerment should be a priority of any responsible government as only an empowered youth can be creative or seek to venture into entrepreneurship. Our chances of developing and sustaining a creative economy lie in empowering our youths with relevant skills.
Commenting on the girl child, advised young girls to always stay focused on their dreams and not be distracted by mere blackmail from society. She stated that both the girl child and male child should be properly trained without any iota of discrimination for the betterment of the society.
While noting that the federal government has numerous programmes for the Nigerian youth through the office of Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Chairman Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation reassured her commitment towards using the instrumentality of legislation to attract youth empowerment programmes to the young people in her constituency.
Other discussants at the event were the deputy governor of Anambra state, HE Dr Onyeka Ibezim, Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Uche Okafor and the 2023 PDP candidate of Awka South and North, Hon. Emeka Igwe.
