Ebonyi state government has approved 3billion naira for the empowerment of #Endsars protesters in Ebonyi State, even as beneficiaries are youths and women.
The Governor, David Umahi, made the disclosure while flagging off the #ENDSARS Youth Summit at Christian Ecumenical Center, Abakaliki.
The theme of the summit was, ‘Youth Engagement in National Development’. Umahi in his speech, called on the youths to embrace various empowerment opportunities and shun violent tendencies.
He urged them to protect critical infrastructures and not destroying them, describing youths as future leaders.
He said, “As part of our efforts to give meaning to the lives of all inhabitants of Ebonyi state, we have introduced #ENDSARS Empowerment Programme and have approved the sum of Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000.00) to inject in the empowerment of not less than 3000 Ebonyians, including youths and women”.
“The youths shall be engaged in the first three days by Resource Persons and Panel of Discussants with opportunities for questions and answers to make the event very participatory. The remaining days shall be exclusively for feedback from the youths which shall be harnessed through syndicate discussions by delegations from the 13 Local Government Areas and the state based non-governmental organizations, and also paper presentation by group leaders. There will be a selection of the people that will represent Ebonyi Youths in the Zonal summit.
” Youths are expected to bare their minds on any issue of youth’s interest especially matters that will engender youth mainstreaming in national governance.
“Let me reiterate the determination of this administration towards the enhancement of the capacity of our youths, harvest of the talents of our gifted youths and their empowerment to ensure that they take their proper place as the young leaders with beautiful ideas to make a great difference in the socio-economic development of our dear state and Nigeria.
“We have made a modest effort in changing the narratives of our dear state through the provision of solid infrastructure, creation of beautiful environment and introduction of life changing empowerment programmes.
“We have opened up our rural communities and established socio-economic facilities that will boost the economic base of the state, create jobs for our people and enhance self reliance and self sufficiency among our people.
“We have built institutions that will enhance the capacity of our youths, entrepreneurs, artisans, craftsmen and technicians. This we have done through the establishment of Vocational College and King David Gifted Academy and the revamping of our primary and secondary schools.