Anambra State Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Professor Theresa Obiekezie, has identified skills acquisition and value re-orientation as cardinal means for socio-economic development of youths.
The Commissioner said this during a courtesy visit by the Executive Members of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in her office.
She attributed the high rate of unemployment and negative indulgences by youths to apathy on issues of skills acquisition and value system, calling for attitudinal change.
Professor Obiekezie urged youths to take advantage of various empowerment opportunities created by the Ministry to lift themselves out of poverty and joblessness.
While emphasising the resolve of government to tour all the communities to train youths on skills for self reliance, she said that trainees would be issued with certificates by government after the programme.
She, urged the delegation to eschew corrupt practices, initiate youth development programmes and carry recognised youth bodies along in its activities for cross fertilisation of ideas.
Director-General, Digital Entrepreneurship Office, Mr. Ifeanyi Aniagoh in his remarks, enjoined the council to articulate positive concepts aimed at effecting changes that could transform youths into idea bearers.
He specifically called on them to facilitate training opportunities for youths engagement and empowerment rather than pursuit of selfish interest.
Earlier, the State Chairman of NYCN, Comrade Samuel Egwuatu, told the Commissioner that the Council as the apex youth body in the State had partnered government in its various intervention programmes.
Comrade Egwuatu added that they were willing to support and work with the Commissioner to enable her to succeed in actualising the vision of the State government for youths.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
