PRESS RELEASE

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has expressed his willingness to support the South East Caucus of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, to make Nigeria a greater nation. Governor Nwifuru made this known at Re Meritona Hotel and Suites Abakaliki, during the South East Youth Conference and the Launch of the South East Hall of Fame memorabilia.

The Governor, who was represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, extolled the potentials of the Igbo Youths, and expressed concern about the challenges of the South East, and further implored the youths to have patience, maintaining that the challenges will soon be a story of the past.

"I want to tell you that we the Igbos only need one thing, which is patience, just with time, the Igbos will get there. It must not be gotten through fight or confrontation, and of course, nobody can say that the Igbos are dispensable, we are indispensable , therefore we can join our hands with other ethnic groups to make Nigeria a greater nation."

Governor Nwifuru enjoined the youths to jettison frivolities, and focus on positivities, and however expressed the need to have a change of mindset, adding that the Leaders of the South East shall address the challenges of the youths.

"Let us have a change of mindset. Our leaders are there, they will take care of whatever thing we are fighting for. And for the youths, let us be focused."

Earlier, the Caucus Chairman of the Nigerian Youth Parliament South East, Hon. Williams Omeji thanked the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, especially for his timely response in approving resources for the programme.

Hon. Omeji highlighted the overview of the formation of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, adding that the organization was formed to encourage a member nation to develop a platform, where young people will be trained in various capacity, so as to contribute a worthwhile leadership for a better nation.

"The Nigerian youth parliament, which is a youth leadership programme of the federal ministry of youth development, in collaboration with the National Assembly, was established by late president Umaro Musa Yar'adua in 2007, to provide legislative training, and human capacity building for the young people of Nigeria. The Parliament is structured like the Nigerian Senate, which comprises one hundred and nine members, which are drawn from the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with each State producing three representatives and the FCT with One. The parliament is also a global initiative instituted in compliance with the United Nations Charter number 6, 2006, on the promotion of youth participation in governance in policy making with the underlined aim of encouraging member nations to develop a platform where young people will be trained in various capacities, in order to contribute quality leadership in the nation building."

He called for sustainable peace and economic progression in the region, adding that unemployment and poor quality of life the young people are facing, are the causes of agitation and restiveness in the South East, and implored proper inclusion of the Youths in addressing matters that affect them.

"We must achieve sustainable peace and economic development of this beautiful region, the South East. The restiveness, agitations, and chaos in the South East today are not unconnected to the poverty, unemployment, lack of empowerment, frustration, and poor quality of life faced by young people. In order to address these challenges, a new conversation must begin with the youths properly included on matters that affect them."

On his part, the State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Richard Ugo Idike, appreciated the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for sponsoring the conference in Ebonyi State, adding that the aim of the Youth Conference was to give the South East Youths the voice and opportunity, to contribute their quota to the development of the region. He also thanked Governor Nwifuru, for appointing so many youths into his administration, and further highlighted some of the achievements of the Governor in the State Ministry of Youth Development and Sports in less than one year in the office.

"Youths are said to be the leaders of tomorrow, but permit me to state clearly that judging from the modest achievements of our youths in recent time, youths can now be referred as leaders of today. Our dear Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru in less than one year in the office has made sustainable impacts in the area of youth development and empowerment as follows:
Appointed more than 80% youths into his administration, created opportunities for youths to excel in sports through sponsorship of Governor's Cup football competition among the 13 local governments, approved Ebonyi State participation at the National Youth game, tagged "Asaba 2023", approval of 2024 school sports festival to pick off by the middle of this April, granting of 2 million to 500 Ebonyians to set up new business or build up existing business, employment of more than 300 Ebonyians into the State and public service"

However, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, thanked the State Governor for the hospitality he accorded to them, and described him as a reliable young man, embedded with intelligence and boldness, to lead Ebonyi State. He appreciated the kindness of God to the people of Ebonyi State, by giving them Governor Francis Nwifuru at this time in Nigeria, and asked the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, to convey his message of appreciation to the State Governor.

" I must give thanks to His Excellency, Governor Nwifuru for all the hospitality he accorded to me since yesterday. I have not known him very well, I have met him once, and this is the second time I am meeting him. He is a young man, and when I see bright, intelligent, reliable young people, I feel very happy. I came here yesterday, not quite certain of who I was going to meet, but I am going home today, I am leaving Ebonyi back to Owerri very fulfilled, very happy that I have a son in Ebonyi State, whom Ebonyi people have made their Governor, and I want to say, that I have accessed him, I have talked with him, and I want to tell you that God is kind to Ebonyi by giving us Francis at this time.
He is a very intelligent young man, he is a very straightforward young man, he is very bold and courageous.
Mr Speaker, tell the Governor that I am very grateful to him."

Highlight of the event was the conferment of an award of the "GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR" to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, by the Nigerian Youth Parliament, South East.

Theophilus Ifeanyi Igwe,
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker,
Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
April 6, 2024.