By Debo Oladimeji
In fulfillment of his promise to gainfully engage the youths in governance and make them contribute to the economic growth of the state, Governor Hope Uzodimma has flagged off the disbursement of N4billion Naira to over 15,000 Imo youths who were trained in different vocations and skills.
Governor Hope Uzodimma further expressed the readiness of his administration dedicate last Saturday of every June as IMO YOUTH DAY. He added that the empowerment exercise would be sustained.
In his keynote address at the disbursement ceremony held at Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma stated that the empowerment exercise was to meaningfully engage the youths so as to prepare them for future challenges and equally discouraged them from engaging in various of crime.
“You have often heard it said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, keeping you busy will save you from temptation. Sociology experts believe that there is correlation between unemployment and crime. Our goal is to get you employed and keep you away from crime. Do not disappoint yourself and the Government,” Uzodimma said.
“My administration is not a promise and fail, I mean every word I say to you,” Uzodimma reiterated.
The All Progressives Congress, APC Imo State chapter has also commended Governor Uzodimma, for his unparalleled commitment in addressing the cancerous issue of youth unemployment and insecurity in the state, in line with the Shared Prosperity mantra of his administration.
According to the Director General of APC Media Centre in Imo State, Cajetan Duke the party considers the empowerment of over 15, 000 Imo youths drawn across the 27 local government areas of the state, who had earlier been trained by the ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in various skills and trades with a cash grant of 4 billion naira startup pack as a sustainable roadmap to enhancing small and medium scale sector of the economy, which remains a critical tool for mitigating unemployment rate in our society.
“Our party is particularly excited that inspite of various challenging political turbulence in the state, Uzodimma has remained focused and unwavering in providing leadership and direction. We are hopeful that the positive impact this brilliant initiative of the governor will create in the system through economic stimulation and improvement of the lives of the beneficiaries will be enormous.”
He continued: “This laudable programme aimed at enhancing the productive capacities of the beneficiaries, remains one of the numerous remarkable programmes and policies of the Uzodimma led APC administration designed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our youths.
“While we commend the governor for this unprecedented bold step, the party charged the beneficiaries to make good use of the fund given to them,” he said.
