Second Edition of Anambra Youth Connect Ends in Awka

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

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The 2021 and second edition of Anambra Youth Connect has come to a successful end in Awka, the capital city of the state.

Held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Youths and Creative Economy, Awka, the annual event, which drew participation of leaders and representatives of various youths organisations in the state preceeds and forms part of the International Youth Day celebration activities in the state each year, as was started by the ministry last year.

In her address of welcome, the state's Commissioner for Youths and Creative Economy, Prof. Theresa Obiekezie explained that the program is a brainchild of her ministry designed to bring together youth leaders of different youth organisations across the state to share experiences and. interact with the ministry. She said the event also affords the youths opportunity to share and discuss issues affecting their respective organisations and devise innovative and thoughtful solutions, and become empowered with the necessary skills needed to enhance their leadership of their various youth organisations.

While appreciating the youth leaders for actively participating in this year's edition of the event, Prof. Obiekezie reminded them that Governor Willie Obiano is a youth-friendly governor who has always involved and carried the youths along since the inception of his administration; even as she appreciated his support to the Ministry, and also used the medium to invite Anambra Youths to the 2021 International Youth Day celebration holding on August 12 at Hollywood Event Centre, Awka.

Sharing his leadership experiences as a former youth leader in the state, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Special Duties, Mr. Nwabufor Nwankwo who advised the youths to get their voters in the ongoing INEC Continuous Voters Registration exercise, also urged them to always get involved in the society first and make positive impacts at the grassroots and in their various youths organisations before diving into politics.

Contributing, the State Chairman of the National Youths Council of Nigeria, Comrade Samuel Egwuatu advised the youths to be rightly engaged and not to allow themselves to be used as a destructive tool in the hands of politicians, especially in this political period.

On his own part, the 1st Vice President, ASATU Youths and Anambra South Governor of ASATU Youths, Comrade Nkwadochukwuka Onwughalu who hailed the Commissioner's smooth relationship with the youths and different youth organisations in the state, also called on the different youth organisations in the state to have a common front, remain united and always speak with one voice, to be able to benefits from the government.

Earlier speaking, the Senior Special Assistant on Creative Economy to Governor Obiano, Mr. Marcel Manafa, while calling on the youths to remain supportive to Gov. Obiano's administration, also reminded them that the Governor has special interest in their affairs, which he has proved in various ways and through various programs and policies his administration has been rolling out for the benefit of the youths in the state.

In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Creative Economy, Mrs. Louisa Ezeanya charged the participants to take the message home to their members, organise educate the youths in their localities, even as she urged Anambra youths to always pursue dialogue, eschew violence, and remain peaceful, careful and guided, especially in this period of election in the state and on the trending issues of IPOB/Nnamdi Kanu.

"If you have any impact to make, advice to give or contribution to make, please do that peacefully through the appropriate medium. Don't go fighting," she advised.

Aside fruitful deliberations and interaction between the youths, the event also featured presentation of award to the Commissioner, Prof. Obiekezie, by the Youth Leader of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Anambra State, Comrade Chisom Onugha, on behalf of the AFAN Youths, for her supports and facilitation of free farm inputs to them for this year's farming season.