In a bid to remind the Nigeria youths of their roles in Nation Building and their duties to their communities and the country at large, Ebonyi State Government has identified the Youths as agents of positive change in the society.
This was contained in the speech by the Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Youth Mobilisation, Eze Paul Ituma, during the celebration of International Youth Day in Abakaliki, the State Capital.
Mr. Ituma said gone are those days when youths were known for thuggery and touting.
“You must not be a tout for you to be a strong youth, this is the time for innovations among our Youths and we are going to achieve it”.
“At the United Nations Youth Forum in Lisbon Portugal in 1998, the 12th day of August every year was declared as the International Youth Day. Ever since then, the 12th of August of every year has become a very remarkable day dedicated to youths all around the world and Ebonyi is not exempted,” he explained.
Ituma added that Some of the objectives of the International Youth Day Celebration were;
To sensitize the individuals and corporate bodies in the society on the needs, rights and aspirations of the youths; To honor the youths as agents of change and to bring the positive achievements of young people to the forefront of society’s consciousness.
Read Also: 2023 IYD: Deputy Speaker Lauds Contributions of Nigerian Youths To Democracy
The SA said His Excellency the Governor of the State, Rt Honourable Francis Nwifuru is always ready to meaningfully engage the youth population in the State in Skills and lift them out of poverty.
“The Governor has constituted a committee to ensure that Ebonyi youths doing menial jobs across different States of the country are brought home to be trained in skills of their choice and empowered with startup funds.”
“Today, youths are reminded that they’re the life-wire of every society and in the case of Ebonyi state, youths are no longer the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today and efforts are on top gear to ensure there is no leadership disconnection.” Ituma emphasized.
The theme of this year’s International Youth Day celebration is titled “Green Skills for Youths: Towards a Sustainable World.”
The theme aligns with “Charter of the People’s Needs;” the leadership mantra of the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
In an interview with With Voice of Nigeria, one of the Youths Mr Jonah Ugo Nwite, on behalf of others thanked the Governor and the SA for their frantic efforts towards bringing the best out of Nigeria youths.