Youth Development: Stakeholders underscore importance of reorientation

Stakeholders in Nigeria have identified value reorientation and entrepreneurship as critical ingredients needed to develop and lift young people out of poverty, negative indulgences and hopelessness.

They made this known during a one-day youth capacity building seminar which was organized by the Ministry of Youth Development at the Government House Conference Hall in Awka, Anambra State’s capital.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, said the key objective of the event was to encourage youths to adopt the right values as change agents to enable the government to actualize its vision for the state.

“The Youths must be made to understand the concept of a Smart Mega City, whereby all activities are digitalized for efficiency. It is important that they see this vision as achievable.“

While describing the theme of the Seminar “Setting The Right Values For A Liveable And Prosperous Anambra State,” as apt, he urged them to utilize knowledge garnered for self-discovery and economic sustainability.

In a Keynote address on “Understanding the New Vision for Anambra”, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters, Collins Nwabunwanne, called on youths to imbibe a positive mindset and leverage trending opportunities to move to the next level.

He noted that youths must prepare themselves to be solution providers rather than agitators, be creative and research strategically to succeed in life.

The Managing Director, Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA), Dr Clem Chukwuka, who spoke on “Relevant Skills for Transformational Leadership” explained that the agency had concluded an operational framework with the Ministry to exterminate youth unemployment via entrepreneurship activities.

According to him, the synergy will promote youth engagement in Ford automobile repairs, GSM repairs as well as agro-allied ventures yearning for harnessing.

He said the agency had recorded success stories in shoe and leather manufacturing sub-sector of the state won lots of national laurels and recognition, adding that youths should key into the emerging entrepreneurship revolution to earn decent living.

Speaking on “Bedrock for Building Effective Partnership Towards Youth Unemployment” the State Chairman,  Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr Chinemeren Oguegbe, explored ways youth could access technical and other support services through the association to grow their businesses.

A Representative of the National Orientation Agency(NOA)Mr Tony Obiora,  stressed the need for youths to inculcate essential values as change agents to evolve a better society.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Anambra State Youth Data Bank by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Louisa Ezeanya as well as a resolution by the coalition of youth Organizations passing a vote of confidence on the Commissioner.

The event attracted leaders of various organizations including ASATU Youth Wing, NYCN and Ohaneze Youth Wing among others.

PIAK