Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has described the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) as a veritable platform that can motivate the youths and enjoined the Council to avail the youths of business prospects through education and mentorship.
Governor Ikpeazu was speaking when he received at the Government House Umuahia, a delegation of the South East leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
He said that the State’s investments in the development of youths are key, adding that, “we must create leaders of tomorrow today”.
The Chief Executive Officer of Abia State, further said that his conviction is to try to imbibe in youths the possibility of excelling even in difficult situations.
The Abia Governor said he would want to see youths that can excel, pointing out that he sees in Abia youths the capacity to become great and add to the economy of the nation.
Ikpeazu urged young people to look inwards as everything they need to survive is available within their immediate environment and stressed the need for Abia youths to sustain their resilience and hardwork they are known for.
He reassured that his administration will continue to take deliberate steps aimed at preparing young people for the challenges of leadership.
According to him, his administration has invested heavily in the youths of the State in various ways including availing youths of opportunities to hold top positions in his government.
Governor Ikpeazu approved 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 have employed thousands of youths in the State.
The Commissioner assured that the Ministry will 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 and thanked the Governor for changing the narrative of youth empowerment to youth development.
He appealed to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu 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.