Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence, stressing that no political ambition is worth the blood or life of any young person.
Nwifuru gave the warning on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, while speaking at the grand finale of the 2026 International Youth Week Celebration organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State Chapter.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Chidi Onyia, described youths as the greatest asset of the state and urged them to prepare for leadership and other opportunities through education, skills acquisition, discipline, innovation, entrepreneurship and hard work.
He said the increasing tendency to exploit young people for political purposes could only be reversed when youths developed the confidence, competence and capacity required to take advantage of opportunities whenever they emerged.
According to him, “the youth are the greatest asset of our state.”
Nwifuru urged youths to reject the notion that they were incapable or unprepared to participate meaningfully in leadership, stressing that adequate preparation remained critical to determining whether they would successfully utilise opportunities that might come their way.
“My point is simple. How much are we prepared? Because I want you to be prepared so that when your opportunity comes, you are prepared,” Onyia said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter, Comrade Douglas Ochishi, said the 2026 International Youth Week provided an important platform for young people to reflect on their responsibilities in the development of Ebonyi State and the nation.
Ochishi, whose address centred on the theme “Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Future”, said the council deliberately moved the celebration beyond ceremonial activities by undertaking an independent tour of selected development projects executed by the state government.
He said the exercise enabled representatives of the youth community to physically inspect and assess government interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, human capital development and industrialisation.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, challenged youths to remain resilient, disciplined and prepared for opportunities, stressing that leadership and success were products of preparation, consistency, sacrifice and responsible conduct.
Other speakers at the event, including the Special Assistant to the Governor on Road Maintenance, Comrade Ben Nwovu; an awardee at the ceremony; the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Comrade Leo Ekene Oketa; the Ebonyi State Commander of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS), Commander Larry Igwe; and former Minister Godwin Ogbaga, among others, described youth development as a critical investment in the future of the state.
A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of awards to deserving citizens and stakeholders in recognition of their contributions to youth development and community advancement.
