Ebonyi State government says 1,500 youths will participate in its EndSARS Youth Summit to re-orientate them into government development agenda at all levels.
Commissioner for Business Development, Mr Stephen Odoh stated this while addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Odoh who is also the Chairman, Technical Sub-committee of the summit said participants had been drawn from 13 local government areas and other state-based organisations for the programme scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
According to him, the summit was in line with the National Executive Council (NEC) policy on integration of youths in nation building and promotion of human capital development.
“The mandate of the programme came from the NEC and every state has been directed to organise the summit.
This is a programme that will prepare youths and give them opportunities for economic development rather than depending on the government’’, Odoh said.
The commissioner said in line with the NEC directive, the summit had two components; the stakeholders talking to the youths and the youths talking to themselves.
“At the event, we will have Kanu Nwankwo in the area of sports, on entertainment; we have one of Nollywood actors, Mr Zack Orji and many other experts in various fields.
I believe this it will open an avenue for human development and move the economy and state forward’’, he said.
He said that the programme would be strictly on youth engagement as the aim was to ensure that youths do away with the mindset that only the government should empower them.
“Always look for what you can do and work towards developing such ideas’’, the commissioner added.
The commissioner thanked Ebonyi State Government for always being there for youths.
Nneka Ukachukwu
