Gov Udom Reiterates Commitment to Youths Empowerment

BY ANIETIE ESU

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has reiterated the commitment of his administration to continually embark on development projects that will protect the future of every Akwa Ibom child and residents.

The Governor stated this at the State Gala Dinner in honour of the leadership and participants of course 27 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on Geo-strategic study tour of the State.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Governor Emmanuel said the commitment of his administration to industrialising the State and other developmental strides are geared towards getting young people off the street and give them jobs in order for them to develop and realise their potentials.

The State Chief Executive said the focus of his administration is to tap the potentials of young ones in the state and encourage them to put in their best for their own good, that of the state and the country at large.

Describing Akwa Ibom State as a shinning example on how to develop and tap the youth potentials, he informed the team that many young ones who were members of cult, militancy and kidnapping groups, among others had voluntarily surrendered their arms because of the Amnesty Programme offered by the State Government.

Governor Emmanuel who described the theme of the tour, "Management of the Youth and National Security :The Akwa Ibom State Experience", as very timely in view of the Amnesty programme of his administration to some youths, thanked the team for choosing Akwa Ibom for the study tour.

He commended the military for their sacrifices in keeping the corporate identity of Nigeria intact.

According to him, any nation and state that trivialises the contributions of its citizens, such state and nation is joking with an important factor of production.

He said that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a nation is the totality of the productivity of the citizens; hence the resolve of his administration in undertaking developmental plans that will protect the future of young ones.

The Governor attributed crimes in the society such as assassination, cultism, armed robbery, militancy, insurgency to  youths unemployment and restiveness.

Earlier, the Leader of Course 27 of the National Defence College, Abuja, Air Vice Marshal DL Sanda,commended Governor Emmanuel for his efforts in the management of the youth for enhanced National Security and assured that the briefs and materials received on several projects sites visited will go a long way in enriching the participants papers that will be presented on October 16, 2018 at the National Defence College main Auditorium, Abuja.

Air Marshal Sanda thanked the State Government for the warm reception accorded the team, describing it as a clear manifestation of the hospitality nature of Akwa Ibom people.