In a landmark move to demonstrate firm support for Governor Soludo’s transformation Initiative on security and measures to curb the menace of crimes and drug abuse in the state, the Anambra State Association Of Town Union (ASATU Youth Wing) has organized a maiden youth summit aimed at promoting youth sensitivity on the urgency for effective positive representation and responsible leadership qualities in various communities.
The historic event with a theme, “The roles of youths in the fight against crimes, criminalities and drug abuses in our communities had youth leaders from the 179 communities across the state in attendance took place at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka, Anambra State.
Declaring the summit open, the chairman of the occasion, Ichie Sir Ezechukwu Nwabueze stated that is the major reason for the rise in drug abuses and criminality at the grassroots as the youths are expected to be the nearest the next in line to leadership and other forms of administration after elderstatemen.
He noted that the role of Anambra youths in building the future livable and prosperous homeland can not be over emphasized, underscoring the urgency for reorienting the youth to remain steadfast and committed to their core values which promotes hard working and dedication to their respective goals and dreams in life.
He urged the youth to continue to eschew incessant quest for illicit wealth, drug abuse and other social vices that will jeopardize their future and put Anambra State in a bad light.
In a lecture, the MD/CEO OGMAGS Technology Ltd, Mr. Godwin Ugochukwu Okoye who also spoke on behalf of the Anambra State Commissioner of Police stressed on the need for youth leaders to support the efforts of the Governor in making Anambra a livable prosperous and smart mega homeland.
According to him, special attention must be given to the use of modern technology which includes CCTV cameras, spy cameras and close range communication gadgets in the fight against insecurity and other forms of criminalities in the state, noting that the need to create a database of youths, residents communities, wards and villages will go a long way in checking the activities of criminal elements.
He urge the union to maintain a strong synergy between their organisation, the Anambra State Vigilante Services and the State Police Command in order to ensure adequate security necessary for rapid growth and development of the state.
Also, in another keynote presentation, the NDLEA Commander, Anambra State Command, Mr. Daniel Onyishi who also gave a presentation on drug abuses, it effects and solutions, explained that drug abuse is the intake of anabolic steroids, synthetic drugs, hallucinogens, alcohol, stimulants, cannabis, depressants, and narcotics which are presumably very harmful to the human body.
While listing the effects of drug abuse as anxiety, depression, memory loss, little or no decision-making if one persists in its intake, Mr Onyishi stressed the need for early sensitization on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking in every community noting that drug trafficking attracts a jail term of 30 years.
He warned that the NDLEA is uncompromising in investigating suspected peddlers as well as consummers of illicit drugs, even as he noted the adverse effects of drugs to humans and the society at large. He urge the participants to partner with the NDLEA in their sensitization and awareness campaign at all levels to restore sanity and tranquility to the society.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mbah affirmed his satisfaction with the event and stated that this ministry intends to form an active information mechanism that will create massive awareness for the youth empowerment programs organized by the youth ministry meant to reduce insecurity and take out youths from the street both residents and indegenes alike.
Mr. Agha Mba, pointed out the need for youths to have two or more skills in order to meet up with the economic situation of the country adding that the state government is committed to ensuring that every Anambra youth must have two or more skills to become employer of Labour.
This according to him will divert the attention of the youth from engaging in drug abuses and other form of criminalities as he went further state the ministry plan to expand and link up with every necessary and critical player that will help to drive the state to become a livable and prosperous city where everyone will be proud of, pointing out that the will for youth participation
Mr. Agha Mba while recalling that over 5’000 youths have benefited from the pilot phase of the program noted that 10,000 youths are expected to benefit in the 2nd batch of the youth acquisition program in the subsequent year.
In his separate remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for finance and also National Leader Solution Youth Movement of Nigeria (SYMON), Hon. Izuchukwu Moses Okafor while commending the youth leader and his team for the epoch program stated that the platform provides a perfect opportunity for Anambra Youths to serve as vital copilots in the ongoing move to ensure a livable and prosperous homeland as enshrined by the Anambra State Governor. He further encouraged the youths to become agents of dynamic positive change in their respective communities by implementing solutions to various issues affecting other youths in the state.
On his part, the ASATU National President, Hon. Barr. Titus Akpudo commended the youth leader for his brilliant Initiative, noting that the summit will help reposition the mind of Anambra youth positively.
He urged well meaning individuals in the State and diaspora to continue supporting Gov Soludo led administration through facilitating programs and projects geared towards Human Capital Development, this according to him will bring about the much anticipated positive transformation by enhancing the quality of life and fostering economic growth amongst the youths and the entire Anambra.
Earlier, in a welcome address, The President General of Anambra State Association of Town Union Youth Wing (Asatu Youth ) Comrade Ken Okoli while expressing his joy and satisfaction with the turnout of the event, stated that he was inspired by the need to ensure security, law and order in the state which is the first in five key plillars of the APGA manifesto of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo led administration.
He noted that the community has a critical role to play in ensuring peace and security of the state and appreciated the youth for showing commitment and resolve to support the government.
Comrade Okoli went further to commend Governor Soludo for being a youth friendly governor which according to him was evidently demonstrated in his cabinet selection. He urge the youth leaders to cascade the program down to grassroot to enable other youth members benefits from the lessons of the summit.
In attendance are the Chairman Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, Arc Okechukwu Innocent Ezeobi, Transition Committee Chairman Dunukofia Local Government Area, Hon. Onyemaobi Augustine Nonyelum, MD/CEO Awka Capital Territory Development Authoriy (ACTDA), Hon. Ossy Onuko, represented by Chief Kenneth Nwachukwu, Acting National Youth Leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Comrade Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Anambra State Youth Leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Comrade Eweh Chidozie Onyedika, Anambra State NYCN Chairman, Surv Emeka Obi State Chairman NYCN, Anambra State APGA Youth Leader, Dr. Tochukwu Obiadi and the Pioneer ASATU Youth President General Hon.Osita Ozalagba and Awka South APGA Chieftain, Ozor Amb. Igwedimma Samuel Nwofor amongst others.
Investiture of Patrons, award presentation and special musical performance and presentation by the popular Ojazzi and Igwe Credo climaxed the event.
