Youth leaders from the South-East region of Nigeria have praised the Director General of the South-East Governors Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife, for organizing a successful Youth Leadership Development and Values Reorientation Programme. The event, which was held at Amadeo Event Center in Enugu State, brought together young people from various youth organizations across the five states in the region.
The participants, who were drawn from voluntary youth organizations, community-based organizations, statutory youth organizations, and apex youth bodies like the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), hailed the programme as a milestone achievement.
They commended Senator Ekwunife for her vision and leadership, saying that the programme was the first of its kind in the region. They also expressed gratitude to the South-East Governors for their support and commitment to youth empowerment and development.
The programme featured presentations from notable speakers, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Prof Udenta O. Udenta, Dr Sam Amadi, Amb Elijah Onyeagba, Prof Vincent Pius Okoye, Ezinne Nwazulu, and Dr Ike Neliaku. They emphasized the need for a change of mindset amongst Nigerian youths and the importance of government support for youth development.
Senator Ekwunife, in her welcome address, highlighted the challenges and prospects of youth development in the region and urged the participants to emulate the achievements of successful Igbo sons and daughters. She also emphasized the importance of perseverance and focus in the face of economic challenges.
The participants called for an annual convention of young people from the South-East zone, to be sponsored by the South-East Governors. They expressed their appreciation for Senator Ekwunife’s commitment to youth development and leadership, describing her initiative as “spectacular” and “a first of its kind” in the region.
The event ended with a resolution to sustain the momentum and efforts towards youth empowerment and development in the South-East region.
