Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has said youths remain a major priority of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration, citing the appointment of 4,800 youths into various positions as evidence of the government’s commitment to youth development.

Idahosa stated this on Friday when he received the executive and members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) from Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West Local Government Areas, who paid him a courtesy visit.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Ahedo, said the NYCN delegation was led by Comrades Aigbangbee Emmanuel and Givens Edionwe.

The youth council presented demands bordering on youth empowerment, skills acquisition, employment, appointments and the growing challenge of drug abuse among youths in the Ovia Federal Constituency.

The deputy governor said the administration had demonstrated strong commitment to empowering young people and creating opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in governance and the development of the state.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo has graciously approved the appointment of 4,800 youths,” he said.

Idahosa said youths in Edo had not had it so good since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, adding that the administration would continue to explore opportunities for youth development.

He assured the youth leaders that he would work with the governor to expand opportunities in skills acquisition, employment and empowerment.

The deputy governor also disclosed plans to revamp the moribund Iguobazuwa Skills Acquisition Centre to equip young people with practical skills and enhance their capacity to become self-reliant.

He further announced plans to engage youths through town hall meetings across the constituency, saying such engagements would enable the government to better understand their needs and improve the dissemination of information on available employment and empowerment opportunities.

On drug abuse, Idahosa expressed concern over its growing prevalence among young people, warning that the trend could undermine the future of Edo youths and fuel other forms of criminality.

He said he would approach Gov. Okpebholo with a request to lead a state task force dedicated to combating drug abuse and sensitising young people across the state.

“Let us get our minds right and think positively towards the development and upliftment of our state. Our elders will also see and empower you to do that. Get your priorities right. Position yourself to be a blessing to your generation,” he said.

Idahosa added that the government would not tolerate the destruction of the state’s youths through drug abuse.

“Our youths are being destroyed. Before, it was cultism, kidnapping. Now, they have shifted to drug abuse. We will not tolerate it. As a state, I am assuring you we are going to deal with them,” he said.

He urged the youth leaders to embrace responsible leadership, positive thinking and good role modelling, stressing that young people had an important role to play in determining the future of the state.

Earlier, the two NYCN chapter leaders presented their demands and pledged their support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

They also expressed support for Gov. Okpebholo’s target of securing 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Please follow and like us: