The Youth Leader of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Comrad Ken Okoli says the wing have taking one role from the five key agenda of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo which is ‘governance and value system.
The Youth leader who spoke to ANN in his office on Tuesday revealed that ASATU will ask the house of assembly to legislate on value system and that the association will sponsor a bill on state orientation
He maintained that the wing will be playing policy role that will have influence in the governance of youth winds in Anambra communities.
Comrade Okolie who was elected on the 6th of January 2023 stated that ASATU will soon commence a programe called ‘Youth Watch’ a platform that will stand for youths, where issues concerning young mind and the challenges they face will be discussed once in a week.
“I met an association that was seen to champion the interest of youths. I have introduced a constitution through a committee i set-up and it has brought in a paradigm shift.
“ASATU is no longer for the intreast of the youth leaders. It is a platform that stands for all the youths from Anambra state all over the world and also the youths who are living in Anambra both indigen and non- indigen
“ASATU youth is meant to stand for the young people and make sure that whatever the state government is doing for the people, the youths will have their fair share and also be responsible by contributing to the development of the state.
” ASATU youth is no longer a system of during election, candidates will start looking for us and think of paying us pie nuts. No. We have defined the role we are going to play.
“When you look at the population of Anambra, youths constitute the largest in number. There is no community in Anambra that do not have the youth wing and town union organ existing.
” The membership of ASATU youth is changing from one platform to five. It is not just asking what is for us, but also, what are we contributing.
“Our constitution has passed the second reading and will be red for the third time soon. In the new constitution, we have decided that the age bracket of any youth leader in our communities will not be above 45 years.
“This is because the state policy on youth defines a youth as someone who is between 18 – 45 years and we have to make sure that the policy is implemented.
“We will give a time frame to all communities to have a constitution. The constutution we are bringing is going to introduce something new in the country. It will contain certain platforms that will engage young people.
” A youth leader will no longer be concerned about himself and execitives alone. There are certain structures that will be created in the community that will give room for young minds to be engaged.
“Being a youth is a stage in life that speaks about the persons destiny and if it is wasted, it is gone. 18 – 45 years is the peak of one’s life.
“One of the needs of youths is having a sense of belonging, inclusiveness and job. But they need to be catigorized soo that their needs will be met.
“Government will not drive our value, we the citizens will do that and we have compile it in a book titled “I believe in Anambra’ which is becoming a term plate of new value system of governance and orientation.
“The book is free and will be distributed to government imstitutions, community leaders, heads of educational institutions, teachers, religious leaders and house of assembly members.
“The slogan of Anambra is “light of the nation” and we have to define our value system which has been defined in the book.
“Anambra should not be left for just the governor. We are stakeholders and we must raise as stakeholders and do our own duty through engaging young people and hearing their complains.
” ASATU will be an associate that is adding strategic values in governance of Anambra state. Making governance less stressful for anyone who is coming to govern a state. That is the strategic role ASATU is trying to play and in doing that, this youth leaders are to be paid monthly. It requires money to have all this structures within a community.
” Earning a living is important but it has to be legitimate. If we want to really achieve a prosperous state, we have to bring our youths to take back the state. We want to take back the system and put it in the hands of the youths.
” On the 12th of August which is the international youth day, the book “I believe in Anambra”will be presented for the first time’. Okoli revealed.
